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Tag: Nigerian scientists

  • Nigerian scientists say drug for river blindness, can cure COVID-19

    Nigerian scientists say drug for river blindness, can cure COVID-19

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has welcomed efforts by a team of Nigerian scientists investigating the efficacy of Ivermectin drug in the treatment of COVID-19.

    The team, which is composed of Nigerian scholars at home and abroad, has also submitted its report on the usefulness of the drug to the World Health Organisation.

    The WHO has appointed a Peer Review expert from the United Kingdom.

    Osinbajo expressed excitement that Nigeria and Nigerians “are at the cutting edge of scientific research into the COVID-19 treatment.”

    According to him, “we have an opportunity here and I am so fascinated to hear this drug has been used in the treatment of River Blindness in this country.”

    While commending the efforts of the team, Prof. Osinbajo added that with the report, Nigeria is at an advantage both in knowledge and availability of the drug, especially since Ivermectin has been found useful not only in the treatment of COVID-19, but also as a prophylactic medication.

    He disclosed that the Federal Government will explore further ways to support the research for the benefit of Nigerians and humanity generally, while also advancing the effective funding of scientific research in the country.

    The VP spoke after he was briefed virtually on the report by a team of scientists led by Prof. Femi Babalola, the Principal investigator, and Prof. Chris Bode, the Chief Medical Director of LUTH.

    Members of the group named IVERCOVID Research Group, apart from Babalola and Bode are the Chairman of the Medical Advisory Council at LUTH, Prof. Lanre Adeyemo; a US-based Clinical Pharmacologist, Prof. Adesuyi Ajayi.

    Others are virologists Prof. S.A Omilabu and Dr. Olumuyiwa Salu; and also the Project Coordinator, Dr. Felix Alakaloko.

    Both Prof. Babalola and the CMD, LUTH commended the Buhari Presidency for encouraging the research and thanked the Vice President for his personal role and support.

    The report is titled, “A randomised controlled trial for the repurposing of Ivermectin in the management of COVID-19,” and highlights are discussed below:

    The research, carried out in the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) was undertaken following the report of a 5,000-fold reduction in viral load by Australian workers with in-vitro use of Ivermectin on COVID-19 in culture.

    The PI has worked extensively with Ivermectin on the Onchocerciasis-River Blindness control programme, through which many Nigerians have used Ivermectin.

    FINDINGS

    The study revealed that the mechanism of action of Ivermectin, include “Inhibiting viral entry into cells nucleus; and “Direct suppression of viral RNA load of SARS CoV 2,” among others.

    Ivermectin is orally absorbed with higher absorption as a solution better than tablets, and “The Mean Residence Time” (MRT) is 3.4 days. This informs the suggested frequency of dosing, i.e. twice a week.

    The research’s Null hypothesis noted that: “Safe doses of Ivermectin are not useful in the treatment of patients with virology proven COVD-19 disease, does not lower viral load, and does not shorten time to negativity, neither does it cause improvement in clinical parameters when compared to Lopinavir/Ritonavir/Placebo.”

    But its Alternative Hypothesis revealed that, “Safe doses of Ivermectin are useful in the treatment of patients with virology proven COVID-19 disease, lowering viral load, shortening time to negativity, and causing improvement in clinical parameters when compared with Lopinavir/Ritonavir/Placebo.”

    RESULTS

    In its results so far, the Study noted that the randomisation was effective based on distribution of age, sex and some clinical presentation at baseline such as cough and fever.

    The overall results showed that the “Days-To-Negative (DTN) reduced by 3.8 days overall. While a few patients are negative by day two, 50 per cent are negative by day 5.”

    The study indicated that Clinical trials of Ivermectin have been carried out in at least 21 countries worldwide, including Nigeria. It referenced the “Meta-analysis of clinical trials of Ivermectin to treat COVID-19 infection” by Dr. Andrew Hill, Department of Pharmacology, University of Liverpool, UK.

    Highlighting the practical applications, the Study proposed that “Ivermectin should be considered for adoption into the uniform treatment guidelines of COVID- 19 in Nigeria,” noting the “potential use of ivermectin as prophylaxis Pending the rollout of vaccination programs or alongside it.”

    However, the Study emphasized that Ivermectin “is not meant to replace other COVID-19 measures such as social distancing, face masking and hygiene, or vaccinations,” adding that, “It is possibly an additional tool which can be deployed to fight the pandemic.”

    The group stated that it has forwarded a report of its findings to NAFDAC.

  • Nigerian scientists warn FG against mass COVID-19 vaccination plan

    Nigerian scientists warn FG against mass COVID-19 vaccination plan

    As Nigeria prepared to receive its first consignment of COVID-19 vaccines, two scientists have cautioned the Federal Government against a mass COVID-19 vaccination plan.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, in December 2020 revealed that the Federal Government had planned to acquire vaccines worth N400 billion.

    Ehanire had said that the N400 billion would be able to vaccinate 70 per cent of Nigeria’s 200 million population.

    Nigeria had 88,587 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 1,294 deaths as of Saturday.

    It was against this backdrop that the scientists called for caution in separate interviews with NAN in Ibadan on Saturday.

    A professor of immunology, Ganiyu Arinola, said that rolling out a mass nationwide vaccine campaign might not be the the best use of resources for a resource-poor country like Nigeria.

    Arinola, of the Department of Immunology, University of Ibadan, noted that while no amount of investment on health was a waste,”it is reasonable to spend wisely in this time of economic recession”.

    The immunologist said that mass vaccination alone would not halt the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria, adding that the available vaccines do not confer lifelong immunity against the virus.

    “The mere availability of COVID-19 vaccine is insufficient to give broad immunological protection.

    “Efficient vaccines must be safe with little side effects, inexpensive for the target population and widely effective across gender and wide geographical ranges,”he said.

    In terms of its efficacy, Arinola still urged a cautious approach by the authorities.

    “This is not a hundred per cent true of current COVID-19 vaccines, showing that there is room for improvement on them.

    ‘For instance, re-infection is likely because existing vaccines stimulate antibody production which may wane with time.

    “As of now, it will be advisable to be cautious of the use of current COVID-19 vaccines because too many facts are still emerging on the vaccines.

    “In low-resource country like Nigeria, certain individuals will be unqualified for COVID-19 vaccination due to age, immunocompromise status, socio-economic status and other preexisting medical conditions,”he added.

    Asked if the generality of Nigerians would be favourably disposed to the vaccine, the immunologist told NAN that there would likely be divergent views.

    “Some people may disqualify themselves based on religious and cultural beliefs.

    “A vaccine refusal rate greater than 10 per cent could significantly impede attainment of its goal.

    “Among other concerns about COVID-19 vaccination in low resource countries is a question “Do their benefits outweigh the risks or how safe are the existing COVID-19 vaccines?

    “There are reports of adverse reactions and possibilities of COVID-19 not tested in- or safe for use by- some groups of people.

    “People with serious health conditions or weakened immune systems may not benefit from vaccine whose effectiveness is based on host’s active immunity since these people are already immune-compromised or immune-suppressed.

    “Active immunity uses various immune cells involved in the uptake and processing of vaccine antigen before production of antibodies. Other immune cells produce cytokines and other soluble immune factors.

    “This brings to fore “Boosting immunity” How many Nigerians have ideas about his/her immune status or how to boost immunity?

    “It is imperative that immune status of individual is optimal before engaging in vaccination.

    “The Federal Government must think twice before investing in a health venture with such uncertainties,” he said.

    Arinola told NAN that Nigeria should come up with its own strategies to end the pandemic by adopting can its own unique method of fighting the virus.

    “Low-cost, evidence-based and integrated control strategies are primarily needed in the country.

    “In low resource setting like ours, there is need to ensure access to reliable diagnosis in order to determine the true burden of disease in the community.

    “A combination of effective vaccination, treatment, and good hygienic practices will guarantee enhanced protection against COVID-19.

    “There is also need to invest in infrastructure for distribution and handling of COVID-19 vaccine widely on an equitable basis.

    “Also, collaboration at the international, national, regional, and local level is important,” he said.

    In the same vein, Dr Olubusuyi Adewumi, a virologist at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, said that decisions on COVID-19 vaccination must be guided by scientific evidence.

    Adewumi, who noted that the country had not been as hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic as other countries, said that mass vaccination may not be the best strategy for Nigeria.

    “However, the question is how did we arrived at such decision. Was it guided by scientific findings? Can we afford it?,”he queried.

    He added that such monumental decisions must be well thought out and not based on misplaced sentiment.