A multiple therapy hypothesis for treatment of cOVID-19 patients”

Authors: Oscar, Thomas

Submitted to: Medical Hypotheses
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/19/2020
Publication Date: 10/21/2020
Citation: Oscar, T.P. 2020. A multiple therapy hypothesis for treatment of COVID-19 patients. Medical Hypotheses. 145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2020.110353.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2020.110353

Interpretive Summary: The 2020 pandemic involving a novel coronavirus (Covid-19) is taking a toll on human life and the world economy. A worldwide search is on for a treatment (vaccine, drug, plasma) for this virus. One treatment that is not being considered but that might hold promise as part of a multiple hurdle approach to Covid-19 is lower aeration temperature (LAT) combined with purified air technology (PAT). The proposed treatment is a physical and chemical approach to block, aspirate, and destroy (BAD) Covid-19 in patients and to reduce community spread of Covid-19 in the hospital, work, and home environments. Thus, the BAD Plan for Covid-19 addresses both the health and economic aspects of the pandemic. It will require a multiple disciplinary research team.

Technical Abstract: Endocytosis of ligand-receptor complexes by target cells is inhibited at temperatures = 19C. This is a general biological phenomenon that is attributed to a physical change in membrane fluidity and applies to viruses. Current evidence indicates that coronaviruses like Covid-19 bind to cell surface receptors and enter target cells by endocytosis. Thus, lower aeration temperature (LAT) could be an effective treatment for Covid-19. However, research is needed to evaluate efficacy and safety of LAT for this application. This would include development of a safe method of LAT that would reduce surface temperature of target cells in the respiratory tract to slow binding and prevent endocytosis of Covid-19. Overproduction of cytokines (cytokine storm) by immune system cells (macrophages, T cells) in the respiratory tract is a problem in Covid-19 patients. It is possible that LAT might calm the cytokine storm by slowing binding and blocking endocytosis of Covid-19 by target cells of the immune response. However, research is needed to evaluate effects of LAT on the cytokine storm caused by Covid-19. With regards to Covid-19 infections, it is envisioned that LAT would be used in combination with purified air technology (PAT) as follows: use LAT to slow binding and block endocytosis of the virus (Covid-19) by target cells in the respiratory tract leaving them (Covid-19) better exposed to the killing effects of short-lived oxidant molecules produced by PAT, which could be delivered in the respiratory tract (if safe and effective) and(or) applied to the expired (aspirated) air to reduce or eliminate Covid-19. However, research is needed to evaluate efficacy and safety of LAT + PAT for this application. Finally, PAT could be used in hospital, work, and home environments to reduce community spread of Covid-19. However, research is needed to evaluate efficacy and safety of this application of PAT.