eh... just heard that there are 9 new cases within 5 miles of us in our small suburban town in MA... no more sneaking out for me....
This should be a post by “Q” -
Virol J. ***** 2005 Aug 22;2:69. *****
Chloroquine is a potent inhibitor of SARS coronavirus infection and spread.
Vincent MJ1, Bergeron E, Benjannet S, Erickson BR, Rollin PE, Ksiazek TG, Seidah NG, Nichol ST.
Author information
1
***** Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. mvincent@cdc.gov *****
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is caused by a newly discovered coronavirus (SARS-CoV). No effective prophylactic or post-exposure therapy is currently available.
RESULTS:
We report, however, that chloroquine has strong antiviral effects on SARS-CoV infection of primate cells. These inhibitory effects are observed when the cells are treated with the drug either before or after exposure to the virus, suggesting both prophylactic and therapeutic advantage. In addition to the well-known functions of chloroquine such as elevations of endosomal pH, the drug appears to interfere with terminal glycosylation of the cellular receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2. This may negatively influence the virus-receptor binding and abrogate the infection, with further ramifications by the elevation of vesicular pH, resulting in the inhibition of infection and spread of SARS CoV at clinically admissible concentrations.
CONCLUSION:
Chloroquine is effective in preventing the spread of SARS CoV in cell culture. Favorable inhibition of virus spread was observed when the cells were either treated with chloroquine prior to or after SARS CoV infection. In addition, the indirect immunofluorescence assay described herein represents a simple and rapid method for screening SARS-CoV antiviral compounds.
PMID:
16115318
PMCID:
PMC1232869
DOI:
10.1186/1743-422X-2-69
Chit! I got my postcard in the mail today, do all that stuff and be safe.
We have a case in our town. I believe the person had been to Branson, MO.