2023-12-05 05:46:47
Science
By chance, Salzburg scientists have now discovered additional evidence of drug therapy for SARS-CoV-2. They discovered this while treating a patient who suffered from hantavirus and Covid-19 at the same time.
05.12.2023 06.42
Online since today, 6:42 a.m
The scientists treated a patient with hantavirus disease and Covid-19 at the same time. A monoclonalantibody helped in the treatment. Some of the most serious complications of viral diseases consist of damage to the inner layer of blood vessels (endothelium) and thrombosis.
“The results support the model of endothelium damage caused by a virus infection involving alternative activation of the complement system. Future studies are necessary to investigate whether blocking the complement system can reduce organ damage in life-threatening viral diseases,” wrote Hermann Salmhofer from the Paracelsus Medical University/Salzburg and his co-authors from Salzburg, the MedUni Vienna and the AKH, as well as from Budapest.
Monolocal antibodies reduce mortality
The experts stated in the “Clinical Kidney Journal” that the acute lung failure that occurs in a severe course of SARS-CoV-2 has reawakened scientific interest in researching the causes of life-threatening organ failure. An overactive complement system might play an important role. Complement is part of the innate nonspecific immune system.
ORF/Georg Hummer Scientists at the PMU, in collaboration with colleagues from Vienna and Hungary, have discovered evidence of a possible form of CoV therapy
Strong complement activation is also involved in life-threatening sepsis resulting from infections. In the past, monoclonal antibodies have been developed to inhibit complement, one of which is eculizumab. “Eculizumab treatment reduced mechanical ventilation dependence and mortality in clinical trials,” the experts wrote.
38-year-old patient in the emergency room
This has now been proven by the case of a 38-year-old patient at the Salzburg clinic who ended up in the emergency room with acute diarrhea, visual disturbances and nausea. The man suffered from SARS-CoV-2 infection, had not been vaccinated and was obese. Despite only mild PCR findings, the patient showed signs of severe kidney damage. Doctors treated the man with the monoclonal antibody on suspicion of a serious kidney complication caused by a viral infection. A single infusion normalized the laboratory values.
Hantavirus from chicken coop
It was only subsequently revealed that the 38-year-old had also suffered from a hantavirus infection in addition to SARS-CoV-2. He had probably contracted it by inhaling mouse excrement while cleaning out a chicken coop four weeks earlier. If severe, Hantavirus infections can cause acute kidney damage and even kidney failure. According to the scientists, the two infections probably exacerbated the problems. They were caused by damage to the small vessels of the kidneys. It was only following four months that the function of the organs finally returned to normal. According to the experts, it would now be important to investigate the use of the monoclonal antibody on a larger scale in severe viral infections.
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