Costa Rica covid-19 treatment could start its final phase this month

Published Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Costa Rica covid-19 treatment could
start its final phase this month

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Plasma samples obtained from immunized horses with the covid-19 proteins were analyzed and obtained successful results, announced the Costa Rican scientists at the Clodomiro Picado Research Institute on Tuesday.

According to Costa Rican scientists, the immunization process tested on horses was achieving a satisfactory immune response. Antibodies that recognize the part of the protein that gives the virus its ability to infect cells are detected in all immunized animals.

"What we have been able to observe throughout the immunization process is that the amount of antibodies against viral proteins is increasing," said Guillermo León, coordinator of the Institute. "This means that we are ready to continue with the process of plasma extraction."

Throughout this period of the experiment, scientists have taken care of the physical state, health and nutrition of the animals to have an optimal plasma collection.

To measure the number of antibodies against viral proteins, the scientific team designed a test known as an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

According to the specialists, in just 35 days the plasma of the horses reached a significantly high concentration of specific antibodies. This offers a very positive outlook because it means that it can be obtained as a powerful medicine.

So far, the horses have had a total of four immunizations with different combinations of covid-19 proteins, which have not harmed the health of horses, the institute said in its statement.

If the experimental study advances according to scientists expectations, this month could initiate the last phase of the process of purification of the antibodies, which are planned to be used for the treatment against covid-19 in Costa Rica.

The advancements of Costa Rican scientists are good news, given the increase in patients infected with covid-19.

According to the Health Ministry, as of Tuesday afternoon, there was an increase of 52 new cases of patients infected with covid-19, bringing the total to 990 active cases.

Authorities provided the following statistics of the evolution of the virus in the country:

• The ages of those infected range from a three-month-old baby to a 92-year-old.

• 794 coronavirus patients have fully recovered.

• 20 patients are being treated in public hospitals, where 18 are in recovery rooms and 2 have been reported in an Intensive Care Unit, ICU, with delicate health conditions. Most of the infected patients are quarantined in their homes.

• 459 foreigners infected. That is equal to 46% of active patients.

• 22,833 people have been ruled out.

• 32,801 medical covid-19 tests have been made.

• 12 deaths have been reported from patients infected with covid-19 since March, three women and nine men.

The updated number of total patients in each district can be reached at the National Distance Education University on its Covid-19 Map.

As of Tuesday night, the pandemic has killed 443,685 patients worldwide, according to recent statistics reported by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University.

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Should the government finance the investigation of the institute to speed the process in creating the covid-19 treatment? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com