Ferrets are given nasal sprays to successfully prevent Covid-19

Covid-19 infections are typically transmitted via respiratory droplets – in the nose or mouth. While masks and physical distance are now considered tried and true methods of blocking transmission, a new study looked at blocking the virus directly in the nose, even after it got there. Well, in a ferret’s nose, that is. Why ferrets? Apparently mustelids, a family of carnivorous mammals including weasels, badgers, ferrets, minks and wolverines, are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 (coronavirus) infections. Thousands of minks have died of Covid-19. In a recent Forbes piece by Sara Tabin, the close proximity of mink quarters, combined with their high levels of specific receptors (ACE2) that bind to the outer membrane of a coronavirus, puts these animals at high risk for Covid-19, as well as other infections. from coronavirus.

Ferrets have a similar respiratory cell structure to mink and are therefore equally susceptible to coronavirus infections. The coronavirus particle has spike-shaped proteins on its surface. These proteins bind with host cells in the respiratory tract, and if the binding is solid, the virus will replicate and lead the host to develop an acute viral infection.

A multi-institutional research group has developed a molecule called lipopeptide, which is a cholesterol molecule bound to amino acids, to act as a blocker of coronavirus proteins from fusion to respiratory cells. This, in turn, would block viral replication, responsible for the infection and host malaise. The researchers, which include groups from Erasmus Medical Center in the Netherlands, Cornell University, and Columbia University, have created a nasal spray containing these lipopeptides as a means of preventing Covid-19 infections. By directly blocking viral receptors with a topical drug (as opposed to an injection via a vaccine or antibodies), the study attempted to see if this would result in blocking the development of viral infections.

In the study, the researchers divided the ferrets into several groups: some ferrets received daily intranasal administration of the lipopeptide-based spray; some received a placebo spray, some received no surgery, and some were infected with SARS-CoV-2. Ferrets that were infected with the coronavirus were housed with both ferrets that received the sprays and those that received nothing. Within days, all ferrets that received the daily lipopeptide nasal spray and were then exposed to infected animals remained virus-free. And those who had no protection and were exposed to infected animals were infected.

Although this was a small study and an animal study, the research work is quite promising. The active lipopeptide material is inexpensive, replicable, easy to manufacture and can be stored and lyophilized as a powder. It requires no refrigeration or special storage and can easily be made into a nasal spray by pharmacists by adding water or sugared water to the powder.

The goal in the near future would be to initiate larger animal trials followed by human trials. In addition to ongoing vaccine studies at various levels of safety and efficacy, FDA approval of a daily nasal spray to prevent transmission of coronavirus infections could be a faster, cheaper, safer, more accessible, and yet more accessible means. more effective to stop the spread of Covid -19.

As it would need to be administered daily (or more often, pending human study results), this could raise large-scale compliance and access issues around the world.

For now, unless you block the spike protein receptors with topical lipopeptides, block your nose (and mouth) with a mask.