In a recent study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, researchers found that a combination of bacterial extracts used in Europe to treat respiratory infections may offer a new way to prevent or reduce infection by SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
They found that a specific combination of bacterial extracts known as OM-85 inhibited SARS-CoV-2 infection by reducing the virus’s ability to attach to lung cells.
The research is from the University of Arizona and was conducted by Dr. Donata Vercelli et al.
OM-85 is a bacterial lysate, a combination of molecules extracted from the cell walls of bacteria, marketed outside the U.S. under the brand name Broncho-Vaxom as a preventive treatment for respiratory infections in children and adults.
When SARS-CoV-2 enters the lungs, it binds to receptors including the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor, known as ACE2, on the outer membranes of lung cells.
A cellular enzyme changes the shape of a protein on the virus to enable SARS-CoV-2 to breach the membrane and infect the cell.
In the study, the team tested whether OM-85 treatment affected the ACE2 receptor and enzyme involved in COVID-19.
They found that pre-treatment of cells with OM-85 prevented infection by SARS-CoV-2.
The ability of OM-85 to prevent viral infection was found to be dependent on its ability to decrease the expression of the ACE2 receptor.
The mechanism by which OM-85 prevents viral infection is unlike that of vaccines or antibody treatments, which focus on a viral protein.
By targeting the receptor, OM-85 may shut the very door that allows the coronavirus to infect cells.
The team says the innate immune system has evolved under environmental pressures like bacteria, but our current lifestyles often don’t give us the chance to develop this protective immunity.
Their idea is to use bacterial lysate to train our immune system to protect us from viruses, in the same way, those who are regularly exposed to farm animals are protected against a multitude of bacteria and other microbes.
The team says treatment with bacterial lysates such as OM-85 could promote a more interactive exchange between the immune system and microbes.
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If you care about COVID, please read studies about why COVID-19 can trigger severe disease and death, and this inexpensive heart drug can help treat severe COVID-19.
For more information about COVID, please see recent studies about a new way to prevent many COVID-19 variants, and results showing what’s the differences and similarities between the flu and COVID-19.
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