Ebola drug Zmapp showed effect

Ebola drug showed good results in animal studies

08/30/2014

According to current knowledge at least two patients who were infected with the Ebola virus, with the novel drug „zmapp“ successfully treated. As a result, the infected could apparently survive the disease. A third person affected, however, could not survive even with the treatment. So far, there is no scientifically reliable data. A science team led by Larry Zeitlin of pharmaceutical manufacturer Mapp Biopharmaceutical and Gary Kobinger of the Canadian Department of Health now have a journal article in the journal „Nature“ released.

Thus the researchers write in the trade magazine that the initial successes „could now be confirmed in animal experiments.“ It's one „100 percent success rate has been achieved“. Even advanced cases could have been successfully treated.

In the experiment, 18 monkeys were infected with the Ebola virus. After administration of the drug „zmapp“ All infected animals could be cured. It also applies to the animals, which had only a few hours to live because of the infection. „Severe Ebola symptoms such as liver problems and bleeding could be stopped“. The study results are „beyond all expectations.

Drug shows effect in several patients
According to another report, several Ebola patients show up with the experimental drug „zmapp“ progress has been made. At least six people have received the drug so far. Two US Ebola patients have healed and two out of three Liberian patients have recovered greatly. This was announced by the World Health Organization (WHO), citing medical doctors from Liberia. The third patient is doing a little better. His condition was further described as serious. A 75-year-old Spaniard who received the remedy also died. However, these reports also had a number of pre-existing conditions.

Surprisingly few side effects
As Becker pointed out, other treatment approaches such as blood transfusion and general medical quality at the US clinic in Atlanta may have contributed to recovery. For example, US physician Kent Brantly had received blood from a 14-year-old patient who had survived Ebola. The drug does not seem to have any serious side effects, said the virologist: „It's surprising that there has not been any side effects - in everything you know so far.“

Active ingredient already used up
The drug ZMapp consists of three antibodies that bind to Ebola proteins and allow the immune system to eliminate infected cells. There were only a few doses of the active ingredient extracted from a tobacco plant. According to WHO, these are already taken. At the beginning of September, experts are invited by WHO to advise international experts in Geneva on further efforts to provide Ebola medicines. Some critics say that aid in the fight against infectious disease comes too late and is not enough. According to experts, the disease can no longer be brought under control this year.