Scientists claim that antibodies can make COVID-19 infections even worse. They discovered a high-risk molecule commonly found in infected patients.
A health worker wears a protective mask and suit as she extracts blood from a patient to perform an antibody test for COVID-19 at the Dworska Hospital on April 9, 2020 in Krakow, Poland. The 20 minute coronavirus test was bought from China and created in cooperation with the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Poland's Chief Sanitary Inspectorate has advised a high degree of caution when approaching the results because neither a negative or positive result releases a patient from compliance with sanitary requirements. Poland has reported over 5,000 cornfirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) and 174 deaths.
These antibodies can help coronavirus particles invade more cells, as suggested by the new study. The findings contradict the previous researches, which state that antibodies are produced by the immune system to prevent or fight diseases, such as the novel coronavirus.
Scientists at Fudan University, located in Shanghai, China, conducted the new study, revealing that 222 patients who participated had specific antibodies that allow the viral disease to infect their immune cells.
Antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE)
According to South China Morning Post (SCMP), the new problem of antibodies called antibody-dependent-enhancement, or ADE, was present in 8% of the participants with mild symptoms and in 76% of those who already recovered from the severe illness.
A phlebotomist shows to the camera specimens of people getting tested for coronavirus antibodies at the Refuah Health Center on April 24, 2020 in Spring Valley, New York. One possible option in treating COVID-19 is giving patients the plasma of those who have already recovered from the disease hoping the blood has the antibodies to cure the virus. Members of the Orthodox Jewish community converged on testing locations to determine of they are candidate to donate plasma.
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These results showed that ADE is commonly found in people who already don't have COVID-19. The researchers explained that antibody-dependent-enhancement is already seen in other viruses, such as dengue fever, Zika, and severe acute respiratory syndrome.
ADE was already a problem in the past since it affected the vaccine and drug development for the mentioned viruses.
An Antibody Trial was already postponed
The researchers' study came the same day that Eli Lilly's antibody treatment was postponed. According to The New York Times' previous report, the American drugmaker's experimental treatment is just like the one the U.S. President Donald Trump received from Regeron.
The trial, which was sponsored by the United States government, was purposely delayed because of safety concerns.
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Written by: Giuliano de Leon.
