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+--- Thread: Could llamas help treat Covid 19. (/showthread.php?tid=5032)
Could llamas help treat Covid 19. - Catherine - 05-08-2020
A llama named Winter has been part of research against SARS and MERS. She produces antibodies that can stop the viruses.
Because the viruses are closely related to Covid 19, Winter should be able to help in the fight against Covid 19.
Having strong antibodies is the beginning of a treatment for the disease.
https://www.theweathernetwork.com/ca/news/article/covid-19-llama-called-winter-could-prove-useful-in-the-hunt-for-a-treatment
This line of study shows promise.
https://www.sciencealert.com/llama-blood-could-play-a-role-in-helping-people-fight-off-coronavirus-infections
It may be a while before anyone can be helped by this research, but at least it is a direction that seems possible.
Also injecting llamas with material that causes them to form antibodies is not actually harming the llamas.
They are more or less cooperating with the work. I hope things continue in this way.
RE: Could llamas help treat Covid 19. - LPC - 05-08-2020
Unfortunately, the latest research also shows that Covid 19, like other viruses, mutates regularly. So even is a vaccine is found, it would probably only work for a short time, before needing modifications. The best hope is that it will mutate eventually into a non-lethal form (as happened with SARS).
RE: Could llamas help treat Covid 19. - Catherine - 05-09-2020
Quote:Unfortunately, the latest research also shows that Covid 19, like other viruses, mutates regularly. So even is a vaccine is found, it would probably only work for a short time, before needing modifications. The best hope is that it will mutate eventually into a non-lethal form (as happened with SARS).
Good point. We have to remake a flu vaccine every year and it is not totally successful. A Covid 19 vaccine could have the same problems.
Covid 19 is hitting us so hard because it is a new virus. We have ever encountered it before. With time our own immune systems will respond better and the virus could become less lethal.
For now it would help if we find a treatment that works.