Hunt For The Covid Killer

Could known drugs help fight pandemic?

- Dr Miriam Stoppard

There's a small glimmer of hope that at some time in the coming months we might be able to tackle the Covid-19 outbreak by trying out drugs that are already in use against other viruses.

All of these drugs are experimental for use in Covid-19, but they give reason for modified optimism. But first, some information about the virus we’re confronting.

What’s it like?

The Covid-19 virus is extremely small and tricky. It’s only a millionth the size of the human cells it invades, but persuades them to supply it with the building blocks to make up to a thousand new viruses. Then it bursts the cell to liberate its progeny around our bodies.

The virus has an outer membrane which disintegrates on contact with soap and water and this is the reason we’re being encouraged to wash our hands for 20 seconds – to give the virus the time to die. The virus usually enters through the mouth, nose and eyes and, once inside, the spikes on the surface of the virus make contact with a human cell.

There’s a place on the spike that fits like a key into a protein, ACE2, found on the surface of some human cells, particularly those in the respiratory tract. Hence the classic symptoms of covid infection: continuous cough and shortness of breath, high temperature and pneumonia.

ACE2 also plays a part in controlling blood pressure and early data from a hospital in Wuhan suggests someone with high blood pressure is vulnerable to infection. The fact that the virus’s entry point is linked to bloodpressure regulation may be significant.

Is there a way to overcome it?

While we’re waiting up to a year for a vaccine, a search is going on for an antidote drug that might combat coronavirus.