Gum can be a new weapon against Covid-19

A type of gum containing a protein that 'traps' the SARS-CoV-2 virus will limit the amount of virus in saliva, thereby preventing the spread of pathogens when talking or coughing.

The team at the University of Pennsylvania (USA) explained that this gum contains a copy of the ACE2 protein found on the surface of cells used by the SARS-CoV-2 virus as a 'gateway' for them to invade. enter cells and infect them.

Illustration - NBC News

Reuters reported that observations from experiments using saliva and oropharyngeal samples of Covid-19 patients showed that the SARS-CoV-2 virus had bound itself to the ACE2 'receptors' in the gum. As a result, the amount of virus in the samples was reduced by more than 95%.

The authors say that the taste of this virus 'trapping' candy is like normal chewing gum and can be stored for many years at room temperature. In addition, chewing does not damage the ACE2 protein molecules.

They emphasized that the use of gum to reduce the amount of virus in the saliva will, along with the vaccine, help in the fight against Covid-19. This product is also especially useful in countries where the vaccine is not widely 'covered'.

In a related development, scientists believe that the ability of the body to protect against Covid-19 of the vaccine using mRNA technology can last longer after a booster dose.

They measured vaccine response before and after the booster shot in 33 healthy adults who received a second dose about nine months ago.

Before the injection, the antibody levels in their bodies had decreased by about 10 times compared to when they had just received the second dose. Between 6 and 10 days after the third dose, their antibody levels increased 25-fold and 5-fold after the full two doses.

In volunteers who had Covid-19 before vaccination, their antibody levels after the additional dose were 50 times higher than after infection.

Study co-author Alexis Demonbreun of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago said: 'Because the levels of these antibodies are so potent, the booster shot may offer longer-term protection than the booster shot. two standard doses'.