Find out which antiviral compound causes SARS and MERS

An international team of scientists has identified a compound that can fight corona virus, causing a SARS pandemic (Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and MERS (Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome), which is still not available. There are treatments.

This special information is published in the PLOS Pathogens Specialized Journal on May 30.

The research group at the University of Gothenburg and the University of Bern, Switzerland, led by scientist Edward Trybala discovered the compound called K22 , preventing the possibility of infection with corona virus to humans.

In the article, the scientists explained that the coronary virus is reproduced in cells within the human respiratory system with the following lifecycle: the virus enters the barrier that divides the different parts of the The cell then turns the membrane into a virus protective membrane, enabling the virus to continue to multiply.

The researchers found that the study showed that the use of host cell membranes is a very important stage in the life cycle of the virus and this is a sensitive phase that can be prevented by drugs. anti-virus.

Wear a mask of MERS virus in the emergency room of a hospital in Riyadh on April 27.(Source: AFP / VNA)

From this study, the scientists discovered that the compound K22 is able to block the virus that controls cell membranes, the first stage of the virus's life cycle after it enters the human body.

Experts say that K22 is able to counter weak strains of corona viruses - causing mild cold symptoms, to more serious strains, including strains that cause SARS and MERS - thought to be transmitted. from the bat.

From this initial success, the research team called for an urgent investment in K22 testing outside the laboratory and developing drug treatment.

Corona virus affects human respiratory organs, and causes 30% of common colds in the world.

The more dangerous strain of the virus, thought to have come from bats, caused a global epidemic of SARS in 2002 that claimed the lives of nearly 800 people.

Meanwhile, the virus that causes MERS is the newly discovered corona virus strain in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and is believed to be infected by camels.

The virus, which has a higher risk of death, has a lower chance of being infected, causing 193 deaths out of 636 cases.

Most cases of infection and death caused by MERS are in Saudi Arabia, however MERS virus has spread to dozens of other countries mainly from those who were sick during their stay in the Middle East.