Antwerp institute leads international study for Ebola treatment
Flanders’ Institute for Tropical Medicine is working with the local chapter of Doctors Without Borders to lead studies on treatments for Ebola
Unique collaboration
ITM will lead the study for a therapy based on blood and plasma taken from patients at the centre in Conakry, the capital of Guinea. “A similar technique has already been successful for other infectious diseases,” said researcher Johan van Griensven, who is heading the study. “We want to examine whether it works against Ebola, whether it is safe and whether it can be applied on a large scale to decrease the number of deaths.”
The French Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale and Oxford University will lead two other studies that will test antivirals. The World Health Organisation and the health authorities of the countries hit by Ebola are also taking part in the initiative. “It’s a unique international collaboration,” stated doctor Annick Antierens, co-ordinator for Doctors Without Borders.
The purpose is to find an effective treatment for Ebola as soon as possible. The current epidemic in West Africa has resulted in the death of about 5,000 people. “The disease today kills between 50% and 80% of those infected,” said Antierens.
The first results should be available in February. “There is no guarantee that these therapies will be miracle treatments,” cautioned Antierens. “But we have to try everything that is available today to increase the chances of an efficient treatment of Ebola.”
photo courtesy voanews.com
