Declared a public health emergency of international concern, the new strain of Mpox Virus Outbreak 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 Outbreak 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 mentions 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 of Medical Virology , this 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 Virus Outbreak, according to Eric Caumes
Asked about the subject, Professor Eric Caumes, an infectiologist, confirmed that this treatment has not demonstrated its effectiveness against Mpox Virus Outbreak. " The study simply tested the molecule in vitro and in mice, we cannot conclude that it is effective in humans. Under these conditions, there is no proof . "
The doctor points out that the only drug approved to date against the mpox virus is tecovirimat. " It is the only molecule that has been researched and unfortunately, it is not effective, " reports the infectiologist. " A trial conducted in Central Africa demonstrated that the molecule was not effective in patients, their viral load not decreasing after treatment. It was monkeypox 1 but it is probably the same for monkeypox 2 or the new mutant, clade 1b . "
Mpox Virus Outbreak is not the new Covid
However, according to Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and medical director of Doctissimo, " it is urgent not to start a global panic again. We must learn the lessons of Covid and not sink again into widespread fear in search of THE miracle molecule. Mpox is transmitted much less easily than covid or respiratory viruses. Furthermore, the smallpox vaccine for at-risk populations seems effective and finally, we should not rush to buy drugs whose effectiveness has not been proven even if they are a priori risk-free ." An observation shared by the World Health Organization, which is keen to reassure by explaining that Mpox Virus Outbreak is not "the new covid."
What are the preventive measures against the Mpox Virus Outbreak?
For the time being, " no data has been published concerning this 1b variant, neither on the subject of a possible effective treatment, nor on the effectiveness of the vaccine currently available " recalls Eric Caumes. " What we know is that the smallpox vaccine has an effectiveness of 70 to 90% against Mpox Virus Outbreak" . It could therefore be similar for the 1b variant.
According to the infectious disease specialist, author of the book " 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.
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