The infection rate of the coronavirus knows no limit - but an influenza agent could soon provide a ray of hope.
The highly contagious
Corona
*
virus
ensures rapid infection rates.
Researchers
from the
USA
have now discovered a
flu drug
that
could significantly curb
the transmission path of
corona
.
As part of the
study
, the drug's active ingredient is currently being tested on humans.
Kassel - The
coronavirus is
causing a rapid and global infection rate.
Although the vaccine from the German company Biontech has already been approved * and vaccination is imminent, numerous
new infections
can also be expected in the new year
.
A drug has now been discovered in the USA that is supposed to stop coronavirus transmission.
Scientists make an amazing discovery: According to the online news portal
inFranken
, researchers at Georgia State University came across a
flu drug
that could
greatly reduce
the number of
new infections
and thus slow down the rate of infection a lot.
Does a flu remedy help against corona?
Researchers astonish with results
The name of the drug is "Molnupiravir" or "MK-4482 / EIDD-2801", which was originally intended solely as a remedy for flu infections.
As part of the ongoing
corona pandemic
, the researchers changed their plans and made it their goal to test the drug in conjunction with Covid-19.
Finally, the effects of the agent should be simulated
on infected ferrets, which
are similar to young adults in terms
of
virus spread
.
"We believe that ferrets are a relevant transmission model because they spread SARS-CoV-2 easily, but mostly do not develop a serious disease," said Dr.
Robert Cox, member of the research team.
Some animals
infected
with the
coronavirus
were given the
drug "molnupiravir"
and then put together with non-infected ferrets.
Treatment of # SARSCoV2 infection with a ribonucleoside analogue, MK-4482 / EIDD-2801 or Molnupiravir, suppresses #coronavirus transmission within 24 hours, researchers report.
Molnupiravir has broad-spectrum activity against respiratory RNA viruses.https: //t.co/xqk7j8pJdK pic.twitter.com/M17V44ktwm
- MicrobesInfect (@MicrobesInfect) December 4, 2020
Corona study from the USA: This flu drug can possibly contain the transmission
The findings in the course of the
research
are amazing: In the group, not one other animal was infected with the virus - in the placebo group, however, according to a study report, everyone was infected.
The
flu drug had an
effect: the scientists realized that taking “molnupiravir”
can completely block
the transmission of
corona
within 24 hours.
Georgia State University is already talking about a breakthrough, because the drug could
quickly curb
the
infection process
.
According to the latest research, the drug has three major advantages:
The active ingredient is able
to inhibit
the
spread of serious diseases
.
By taking “Molnupiravir”, the
infection
phases
and the
quarantine period
can be shortened considerably.
The
chains of infection
in local outbreaks are easier to get under control and can be broken more easily.
New findings in corona research - Influenza active ingredient now tested on patients
If
corona patients
react to the active ingredient in the same way as ferrets do, they would no longer be highly contagious within 24 hours.
Taking “Molnupiravir” could therefore help to
slow down and reduce
the rapid development of the number of
infections
.
Since the
flu remedy
was only tested on the small animals, it is still unclear whether this is the case or whether there may be side effects.
In addition, no judgment can yet be made about the duration of the effect and the length of the treatment.
+
There are numerous new infections with corona every day.
Researchers from the USA have now come across an active ingredient in the flu that could slow down and even curb the transmission of the highly infectious virus.
(Symbol image)
© Ennio Leanza / dpa
Critics claim that
treatment
with “molnupiravir” could even lead to changes in the genetic make-up - the researchers, however, deny this claim.
The pharmaceutical company Merck has already started a clinical
study
with around 1,300 test persons, the results of which will be published in the course of next year.
Then, in the end, it will also be found out whether the
drug
can unfold its effects on humans as well as on ferrets.
(Alina Schröder)
* hna.de and merkur.de are part of the nationwide Ippen digital editorial network.
List of rubric lists: © Ennio Leanza / dpa