CDC: Chloroquine works against SARS: 2005 International Virology Journal

 US CDC proved efficacy of chloroquine for SARS 15 years ago.

Virol J. 2005; 2: 69.

Chloroquine is a Potent Inhibitor of SARS Coronavirus Infection and Spread

Published online 2005 Aug 22. doi: 10.1186/1743-422X-2-69

Martin J Vincent,1 Eric Bergeron,2 Suzanne Benjannet,2 Bobbie R Erickson,1 Pierre E Rollin,1 Thomas G Ksiazek,1 Nabil G Seidah,2 and Stuart T Nichol1

PMCID: PMC1232869

PMID: 16115318

¹Special Pathogens Brach, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia, 30333, USA

²Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Clinical Research Institute of Montreal, 110 Pine Ave West, Montreal, QCH2W1R7, Canada

Corresponding author.

Martin J Vincent: vog.cdc@tnecnivm; Eric Bergeron: ac.cq.mcri@eregreb; Suzanne Benjannet: ac.cq.mcri@snajneb; Bobbie R Erickson: vog.cdc@1noskcirEB; Pierre E Rollin: vog.cdc@nilloRP; Thomas G Ksiazek: vog.cdc@kezaisKT; Nabil G Seidah: ac.cq.mcri@nhadies; Stuart T Nichol: vog.cdc@lohciNS

Abstract

Background

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is caused by a newly discovered coronavirus (SARS-CoV). No effective prophylactic or post-exposure therapy is currently available.

Results

We report, however, that chloroquine has strong antiviral effects on SARS-CoV infection of primate cells. These inhibitory effects are observed when the cells are treated with the drug either before or after exposure to the virus, suggesting both prophylactic and therapeutic advantage. In addition to the well-known functions of chloroquine such as elevations of endosomal pH, the drug appears to interfere with terminal glycosylation of the cellular receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2. This may negatively influence the virus-receptor binding and abrogate the infection, with further ramifications by the elevation of vesicular pH, resulting in the inhibition of infection and spread of SARS CoV at clinically admissible concentrations.

Conclusion

Chloroquine is effective in preventing the spread of SARS CoV in cell culture. Favorable inhibition of virus spread was observed when the cells were either treated with chloroquine prior to or after SARS CoV infection. In addition, the indirect immunofluorescence assay described herein represents a simple and rapid method for screening SARS-CoV antiviral compounds.

This article has been cited by other articles in PMC.