2.2. Population
death, SARS-CoV-2 infection, allergies
END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE, SARS-COV-2 INFECTION, ALLERGIES
Patients were recruited in two Italian hospitals: “Ospedale degli Infermi” (Ponderano, Biella) and “AOU Maggiore della Carità” (Novara). The inclusion criteria were as follows: hospitalization in a non-intensive care unit (non-ICU) in COVID-19-dedicated wards, with SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed through either reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or a third-generation antigenic test (according to local guidelines) from nasopharyngeal swab samples; age ≥ 18 years; and onset of COVID-19 symptoms within 12 days before hospitalization.The exclusion criteria were as follows: refusal to give informed consent; the need for immediate ICU admittance; advanced cancer/malignancy history; known allergies or intolerances to lactoferrin; being already exposed to lactoferrin when hospital admission occurred; end-stage renal disease (stage V, GFR < 15 mL/min); critical clinical conditions suggestive of imminent death; and inability to tolerate and/or clinical conditions that might contraindicate oral treatments.