A study led by IRNASA confirmed that some cells of worms of the Fasciola hepatica species have antiviral effect against SarsCov2 which could lead to the development of a new drug to treat people infected with covid.
The scientists of the Salamanca institute compared the performance of the famous Remdesivir -the drug commonly used in patients with the coronavirus- with the therapeutic properties of ‘his’ worm until proven to have the same effect.
“We incubated SarsCov2 in cells that are normally infected with it and Remdesivir. There we can see that, in fact, it is an antiviral because the virus cannot enter the cells and cannot reproduce. We are doing something like the worm molecules and also get the coronavirus to enter the cells», explained the director of IRNASA, Mar Siles.
IRNASA conducted this investigation based on two previous ‘clues’. From previous work, they already know that The antigens of this worm create effects on the immune response against other viruses. On the other hand, “studies published during the pandemic show that in countries where this type of worm is more common, there is lower morbidity and mortality from Covid-19,” added Dr. Silas.
Based on these two reasons, the usefulness of Fasciola hepatica worm against SarsCov2 is hypothesized.
“It was first published as a hypothesis and then the experiments were developed supported by funds from the CSIC and also from the Recovery and Resilience Fund of the Ministry, through the interdisciplinary thematic platform Global Health, which helped us a lot because because from there we started with a research group working on viruses and, in particular, on SarsCov2.
IRNASA’s discovery now splits into two paths. On the one hand, the use of this protective effect, not only against the coronavirus, but “against other viruses of importance to humans or animals”. In fact, a regional project has already been requested to launch a platform that will find new uses for this parasite.
On the other hand, after the success of the ‘in vitro’ work, it is necessary to continue experimenting with live models. The problem is that in order to take this step, the maximum security of animal facilities is required and that throughout Spain they can be counted on the fingers of one hand. “To infect mice with SarsCov2, laboratories with P3 and P4 biosafety are needed. so we will consider the use of another virus that causes similar symptoms and that can be used in P2 security animals, such as those in IRNASA,” concluded the director of the institute.
