Scientists Make Breakthrough in Developing SARS Treatment

Scientists make breakthrough in developing SARS treatment

GUANGZHOU, Aug. 26 (Xinhua) — Scientists have made a breakthrough in developing a treatment for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

Fragments of genetical material, called interfering RNA, were found effective in treating the epidemic after two-year investigation by experts in China and the United States, said Zhong Nanshan, China’s leading scientist on SARS, on Friday.

The research was carried out by a team of experts on SARS in Guangdong Province and was headed by Zhong and Li Baojian, a noted biologist and Lu Yang, a noted expert on biological medicine.

The small fragments, siRNA, can reduce an existing infection in monkeys and help protect them from new ones.

The fragments work by silencing specific genes. Scientists are hoping this theatment can help with other medical conditions, including AIDS, hepatitis and and tumors, Zhong said.

Scientists carried out the tests with 20 monkeys in five groups, all exposed to the SARS virus. Some were treated with siRNA. All the infected animals developed some symptoms, but those with siRNA treatment suffered from less lung damage and showed less strong symptoms.

The paper on the study was published on the online edition of the journal Nature medicine.

SARS, first recognized in 2002, killed 774 people worldwide, most in Asia, before it was brought under control.