The battle for a cure or at least an effective treatment to the Wuhan coronavirus continues but the latest method in China is the use of convalescent plasma from recovered patients to treat sufferers.
WHO Expert OKs Plasma Treatment
Head of the World Health Organization's (WHO) health emergencies program Dr. Mike Ryan said plasma treatment for CoViD-19 sufferers is "a a very valid way to explore therapeutics" at a time when there are no vaccines yet, Reuters reported.
Speaking with the media in Geneva, Ryan said convalescent plasma is also, a key factor to explore in terms of searching for an effective treatment in fighting coronaviruses. He said plasma from recovered patients have been proven "effective and life-saving" in other infectious cases such as rabies.
Ryan did note that while plasma treatment in the new coronavirus is a good starting point, it is crucial that health providers give the plasma to patients "at the right time" since it is only then the immune system will only respond properly to the treatment.
Aside from plasma treatment Chinese scientists and doctors are also testing the possibility of using antiviral drugs in treating coronavirus patients.
Gilead Sciences Antiviral Drug Trials Slow Down
Over the past few weeks, researchers and health professionals alike have been waiting for the trials on Gilead Sciences Inc.'s antiviral drug that has shown promising results in other linked infections.
However, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that things aren't moving as fast as initially expected. Gilead's clinical trials in Wuhan require qualified patients to take part in the antiviral tests.
Among the requirements for trial is a patient should not have taken other treatments over the past 30 days. However, most of the patients in Wuhan have already been given other treatments to help reduce their symptoms.
In 10 days, the trials only managed to recruit less than 200 people. The initial goal was to recruit over 700 patients to help establish the effectivity of the antiviral drug named Remdesivir.
Japan Plans HIV Drug Trials
In Japan, trials on HIV medications are being planned accordingly to help reduce the symptoms in patients. The Japanese government's top spokesman Yoshihide Suga said preparations are being carried out to ensure that the clinical trials will begin soon.
The news came after Japan's coronavirus infections toll hit 520 as of Monday. Of the said figure, 454 are from the quarantined Diamond Princess that docked at the Yokohama port.
The possibility of using HIV drugs for coronavirus medication was first raised by Thai doctors. They reported having found some significant success stories in the use of HIV medication and other treatments for flu.
China Sees Some Success in Use of Anti-Malaria Drug
Despite the ongoing CoViD-19 outbreak, China has seen some success in the use of anti-malaria drug chloroquine. According to ecns, the head of the China National Center for Biotechnology Development Zhang Xinmin made the confirmation on Saturday.
Over 100 patients are being tested using the drug. The clinical trials are being carried out in 10 hospitals spread across Guangdong province and Beijing, as well as one in Hunan province.
Zhang revealed that the early test results suggested the anti-malaria drug has some therapeutic effect among Wuhan coronavirus sufferers who developed pneumonia.
It remains to be seen whether other drugs will be tested in the fight against the novel coronavirus. On the other hand, hopes are high that the ongoing trials in China and other countries will spur good results that will change the game in the outbreak.
