The medical school at the University of Pittsburgh has developed a new vaccine to fight against SARS-CoV-2 which causes COVID-19. Though the vaccination has only been tested on mice, it produces antibodies that could potentially neutralize COVID-19. Because the university had already done research on SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, which are similar to SARS-CoV-2, they know that the spike protein are important for triggering immunity. This vaccine uses viral proteins made in a lab setting to start increasing immunity. The vaccine is given via microneedle area where 400 tiny needs on a small patch are placed on the skin where the immune reaction is best. The needles then dissolve into the skin as they are made of sugar and protein pieces. Antibodies were made 2 weeks after the vaccination in mice. Though this vaccine looks promising, it would take about a year of testing before released to the public.
A new antiviral drug trial recently begun at Northwestern Medicine to help fight COVID-19. Remdesivir is being used in this new trial. The antiviral drug was originally used to fight Ebola. In animals, remdesivir has formed antiviral responses against SARS-CoV-2. This new study is a randomized, placed, double-blind trial that will help discover if this drug is effective and safe for patients hospitalized with COVID-19. The study will last 3 years, but scientists are hoping results will come much sooner for the sake of COVID-19 patients. When remdesivir was used to treat Ebola in Africa, it caused certain liver, blood clotting, and GI issues but none were severe or life threatening.
I am astounded by how quickly these new vaccines and antiviral medicines have come about. It is simply crazy. Though none of them have been given the ‘ok’ for public use, I believe that there will be one in the not so distant future. The perseverance, time, effort, and smarts that doctors, microbiologists, and other scientists have put into stopping the COVID-19 pandemic is incredible. I am so thankful for all that they have done to keep as many people as possible healthy and for finding ways to prevent this sickness in the future. I look forward to finding out about more treatment options in the future.
Micro Madness 