A team of scientists
in Hong Kong recently announced their latest discovery of chemical that can be
used in the treatment of viral infectious diseases, namely Middle East
Respiratory Syndrome (Mers) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars).
This chemical is
a broad-spectrum antiviral drug, which means it can kill a multitude of viruses
compared to a vaccine that can only target one strain. The method by which this
is done involves starving the viruses by interrupting the lipids in its
replication pathway. By attacking the replication process, there is little
concern for the development of viral resistance.
However, this
drug is not without its concerns. Since it does attack necessary compounds in
the human host cell, there is likely to be damage and side effects of which the
extent is unknown.
This drug is
still in it’s early stages of development, currently being tested on a wider
variety of animals such as primates. We will likely not see it being used in
humans for another 10 or so years. If approved, this chemical would allow us to
stop a viral epidemic without any development time thanks to it being
applicable to any viruses. We would gain a great ally in the world of epidemic
control.
-Mailo Numazu
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