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Chick-News.com Poultry Industry News, Comments and more by Simon M. Shane

Hyperimmune Immunoglobulin Ineffective in Treating COVID

04/13/2021

A recent study monitored by the National Institutes of Health-National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIH-NIAID) demonstrated that hyperimmune immunoglobulin administered by the intravenous route to patients with COVID in hospitals was ineffective.

 

The immunoglobulin designated CoVIg-19 was developed by Takeda Pharmaceuticals of Japan in cooperation with other multinational companies.  Dr. Bill Mezzanotte Executive Vice president and Head of Research and Development for the CoVIG-19 Alliance stated, “While the results of this particular clinical trial are disappointing we are proud that as an industry we proactively and collaboratively pursued this work and that the program may contribute to a growing understanding of this challenging virus and strategies for patient care.”

 

The results of the controlled evaluation demonstrate the need to follow scientific principles to establish and quantify the value of a specific medication or therapy.  During mid-2020, a series of therapies were advocated by the previous Administration, basically as politically expedient “quick-fixes” despite the caution and counsel of experienced scientists affiliated to the NIH and academia.  The results of sequential trials on candidate therapeutic agents in the U.S. and in the E.U. have shown little or no benefit to hospitalized patients with the exception of the antiviral Remdesivir.

 

It is evident that vaccination with either of the two mRNA vaccines approved by the FDA will suppress the incidence rate of COVID although the CDC recommendations relating to masking, avoiding crowds and restricting travel are still applicable given the current low level of population immunity.  The CDC points to 30.8 million diagnoses of COVID since the outbreak commenced in January 2020 with possibly four times this number based on serologic surveys and given the low rate of testing.  More than 555,000 U.S. have died from the disease and currently there are 42,000 patients in hospitals.  Effective April 6th, 33 percent of the U.S. population has received one vaccine with 20 percent having completed the course of two mRNA vaccines. Approximately 8 million people received the single-dose J & J vaccine through temporary suspension on April 13th.  Vaccines are now administered at rates of 3 to 4 million per day.


 
Copyright © 2024 Simon M. Shane