Macrolide antibiotics such as Zithromax bind to a subunit on a cells ribosome and prevent the synthesis of messenger RNA and inhibit the production of the proteins necessary to form the membrane of a bacteria. Now in the case of a bacteria, which is capable of reproducing itself the antibiotic essentially penetrates the bacteria, kills it or at least prevents its reproduction.
Viruses are not capable of reproducing themselves unless they take over viable cells of their host. The virus, in the case of COVID-19 an RNA virus, takes over the cells machinery, inserting its nucleic acid into the genome of the cell and then actually directs the host cell to reproduce numerous complete new viruses, until the host cell dies and then those new viruses infect , take over other host cells, continue to replicate. The process continues until the host’s immune system defeats the virus or in the case of very virulent viruses such as COVID-19, the host dies. Just why Zithromax may disrupt the replications of the RNA COVID-19 virus may be that it alters ribosome function in some way inhibiting the virus infected cell from producing messenger RNA that is critical for the virus to replicate.
This is speculation. There have been some reports in the past that Zithromax may have some anti-viral activity. If it turns out to work, there is little doubt it will be studied extensively and scientists will get a better idea on just how it works.
This is speculation. There have been some reports in the past that Zithromax may have some anti-viral activity. If it turns out to work, there is little doubt it will be studied extensively and scientists will get a better idea on just how it works.
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Who knows. But, for whatever reason, hydroxychloroquine works significantly better against the SARS-CoV-2 virus when partnered with Azithromycin compared to being administered by itself. Azithromycin, with its anti inflammatory properties, also helps prevent cytokine storm and associated lung complications in Covid-19 patients.
Just why Zithromax may disrupt the replications of the RNA COVID-19 virus may be that it alters ribosome function in some way inhibiting the virus infected cell from producing messenger RNA that is critical for the virus to replicate.
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Sort of what I was speculating, without the technical education.
It is definitely, then, due to the combo, as the hydroxychloroquine opens the virus in order for the zithromax to access the RNA.
Pretty much the same unlocking process allows zinc to affect the virus directly. Probably a more direct process?
Early on, retrovirals were tried, due likely to the presence of HIV genetic strands. Can I speculate that the retrovirals also work better in combo w/hydroxychloroquine?
Thank you. I assumed, from the lack of any other responses, that this process is still only speculaation. No doubt specific experiments will be performed and eventually we’ll know exactly how it all works.
Great post on viral replication