Ivermectin: what is it?

Developed in the 1970s, ivermectin is a drug indicated in pathologies parasitic, in particular theonchocerciasis (river blindness) and filariasis lymphatics: pathologies tropical diseases transmitted by arthropods. In Europe, this product is used in the treatment of scabies for its action against the adult mite.

Mechanism of action of ivermectin

It was in 2015 that the Nobel Prize for Medicine was awarded to two researchers, William Campbell and Satoshi Omura, for their discovery of avermectin, an organic compound produced naturally by bacteria living in the ground, Streptomyces avermitilis. This substance has proven to be particularly useful for the treatment of parasitic diseases (worms) in farm animals. One of its derivatives, ivermectin has demonstrated great efficacy in humans by allowing the killing of intestinal worms, wireworms and parasites external (scabies).

With a structure similar to macrolide antibiotics, this substance has an affinity for glutamate-dependent chloride channels, involved in the functioning of nerve and muscle cells of invertebrates. It thus generates an increase in membrane permeability to ions chlorides and inhibits neurotransmission. Paralysis and death of the parasite ensue.

In humans, it acts as a modulator of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, the disruption of which can lead to a thunderstorm of cytokines pro-inflammatories responsible for symptoms serious.

Ivermectin and treatment of Covid-19

As part of the search for treatment against Covid-19, ivermectin has been proposed on a repositioning. Its broad antiviral activity spectrum has been demonstrated in vitro but, to date, the level of evidence as to its action on the replication virus from SARS-CoV-2 is very low. Possessing properties ant-inflammatories Interestingly, ivermectin helps reduce the symptoms of Covid-19 in the animal model (Institut Pasteur). Faced with the absence of sufficient proof, the health authorities did not retain ivermectin in the treatment or prevention of Covid-19.