September 20, 2021
In the Virology Journal (2005), after the discovery of a severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by a newly discovered coronavirus (SARS-CoV) a study was published by the Special Pathogens Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It stated 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”. It further suggested it had both preventive as well as the ability to treat active infection.
The study concluded “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”.
Access the Full CDC study here
