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in collaboration with
Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director)
And
Eric Caumes (Infectious Diseases Specialist)
Declared a public health emergency of international concern, the new strain of mpox is causing concern, both in France and around the world. What should we think of Tranilast, an antihistamine drug put forward by some as an effective treatment? The answer from Professor Eric Caumes, infectious disease specialist.
Following the WHO’s announcement of a maximum alert state for the mpox virus on Wednesday, August 14, the resigning Prime Minister Gabriel Attal also took up the subject at the end of last week to specify that the French health system was placed in a “state of maximum vigilance”. But what are the existing treatments to combat mpox? And more specifically: what should we think of Tranilast, an antihistamine presented by some as the ultimate panacea?
Tranilast is not a miracle cure
On social networks, some publications, sometimes from well-known personalities, believe that the antihistamine drug Tranilast would be effective against mpox. Where does this idea come from? It is based on a publication by Professor Didier Raoult, dating from June 2022.
The expert refers to a Chinese study dating from 2019, which tested 767 different molecules against several viruses of the pox family, such as smallpox, vaccinia or mpox. Published in the journal Journal of Medical Virologythis work tests these molecules in vitro and in mice but no tests have been carried out in humans.
There is no reliable treatment for MPOX, according to Eric Caumes
Asked about the subject, Professor Eric Caumes, infectious disease specialist, confirmed that this treatment has not demonstrated its effectiveness against MPOX.The study simply tested the molecule in vitro and in mice, we cannot conclude on any efficacy in humans. Under these conditions, there is no proof”.
The doctor recalls that the only drug approved to date against the mpox virus is tecovirimat.This is the only molecule that has been researched and unfortunately, it is not effective.“reports the infectious disease specialist.”A trial conducted in Central Africa demonstrated that the molecule was not effective in patients, their viral load not decreasing after treatment. This was monkeypox 1 but it is probably the same for monkeypox 2 or the new mutant, clade 1b”.
MPOX is not the new Covid
However, according to Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and medical director of Doctissimo, “It is urgent not to go back into a global panic. We must learn the lessons of Covid and not sink again into a generalized fear in search of THE miracle molecule. Mpox is transmitted much less easily than covid or respiratory viruses. Furthermore, the smallpox vaccine for populations at risk seems effective and finally, we must not rush to drugs whose effectiveness has not been proven even if they are a priori risk-free“. A finding shared by the World Health Organization, which is keen to reassure by explaining that mpox is not “the new covid”.
What are the preventive measures against the virus?
For now, “No data has been published regarding this 1b variant, neither regarding a possible effective treatment, nor regarding the effectiveness of the vaccine currently available” recalls Eric Caumes. “What is known is that the smallpox vaccine is 70 to 90% effective against mpox2″. It could be similar for variant 1b, therefore.
According to the infectious disease specialist, author of the work, “Sex: the new dangers“published by Bouquins, prevention essentially involves promoting safer sex, which is reflected in particular by wearing a condom during risky sexual relations.