USEFULNESS of Topic Ivermectin and Carrageenan to Prevent Contagion of Covid 19 (IVERCAR)

USEFULNESS of Topic Ivermectin and Carrageenan to Prevent Contagion of Covid Among Healthy People and Health Personnel

Estimation of the prevalence and contagiousness of undocumented novel coronavirus infections is critical for understanding the overall prevalence and pandemic potential of this disease.

It is estimated that 86% of all infections were undocumented [95% credible interval (CI): 82-90%] before the 23 January 2020 travel restrictions. The transmission rate of undocumented infections per person was 55% the transmission rate of documented infections (95% CI: 46-62%), yet, because of their greater numbers, undocumented infections were the source of 79% of the documented cases.

Ivermectin + Carrageenan, taking advantage of their virucidal effects, are aimed at reducing the contagion.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Covid19
• Intervention / Treatment: Combination product: Iota carrageenan nasal spray and Ivermectin oral drops (used as buccal drops)

Detailed Description

CONTAGION COURSE Estimation of the prevalence and contagiousness of undocumented novel coronavirus infections is critical for understanding the overall prevalence and pandemic potential of this disease.

Observations of reported infection within China, in conjunction with mobility data, a networked dynamic metapopulation model, and Bayesian inference, to infer critical epidemiological characteristics associated with SARS-CoV-2, including the fraction of undocumented infections and their contagiousness, have been attempted. The rapid geographic spread of SARS-CoV-2 indicate that containment of this virus will be particularly challenging.

DISSEMINATION BY DROPLETS For COVID-19, the salivary gland could be an important source of the virus in saliva and would generate infectious saliva on a sustained basis.

ACE2 expression in the minor salivary glands was higher than in the lungs, suggesting that the salivary glands is a potential target for COVID-19.

The positive rate of COVID-19 in the patients' saliva can reach 91.7%, and the saliva samples can also culture the live virus.

In addition to mobility restrictions of people, the World Health Organization and the Governments have prescribed maintaining an inter-personal distance of 1.5 or 2 m (about 6 feet) from each other in order to minimize the risk of contagion through the droplets that we usually disseminate around us from nose and mouth. However, recently published studies support the hypothesis of virus transmission over a distance of 2 m from an infected person. Researchers have proved the higher aerosol and surface stability of SARS-COV-2 as compared with SARS-COV-1 (with the virus remaining viable and infectious in aerosol for hours) and that airborne transmission of SARS-CoV can occur besides close-distance contacts. Indeed, there is reasonable evidence about the possibility of SARS-COV-2 airborne transmission due to its persistence into aerosol droplets in a viable and infectious form. Based on the available knowledge and epidemiological observations, it is plausible that small particles containing the virus may diffuse in indoor environments covering distances up to 10 m from the emission sources, thus representing a kind of aerosol transmission. On-field studies carried out inside Wuhan Hospitals showed the presence of SARS-COV-2 RNA in air samples collected in the hospitals and also in the surroundings, leading to the conclusion that the airborne route has to be considered an important pathway for viral diffusion. Similar findings are reported in analyses concerning air samples collected at the Nebraska University Hospital. On March 16th, we have released a Position Paper emphasizing the airborne route as a possible additional factor for interpreting the anomalous COVID-19 outbreaks in northern Italy, ranked as one of the most polluted areas in Europe and characterized by high particulate matter (PM) concentrations. The available information on the SARS-COV-2 spreading supports the hypothesis of airborne diffusion of infected droplets from person to person at a distance greater than two meters (6 feet). The inter-personal distance of 2 m can be reasonably considered as an effective protection only if everybody wears face masks in daily life activities.

IVERMECTIN CONCENTRATION IN SALIVARY GLANDS The concentration of ivermectin was tested in different tissues, in different studies, both in animals and human beings. The concentration in salivary glands proved to be adequately acceptable.

CARRAGEENAN VIRUCIDAL EFFECTS Iota Carrageenan is widely used in gastronomic, cosmetic and pharmacologic industry.

Recently, its intrinsic virucidal effectas were proved over a variety of virus (herpes simplex, Japanese Encephalitis, Rhinovirus, etc.).

Its mechanism of action is preventing virus adsorption to host cells. By applying both drugs topically, 5 times per day, in nasal and oral mucosae, we try to reduce contagion.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 229

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Argentina
  • Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1802
    • Hospital Eurnekian

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Healthy volunteers testing negative for COVID-19 just before inclusion.

Description

Inclusion criteria

1. Not younger than 18 years of either sex
2. Health personnel from the Dr. Alberto Eurnekian Interzonal University Hospital
3. No COVID-19 related symptoms
4. Able to understand and give written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

1. Known hypersensitivity or allergy to any component of the product under evaluation
2. Age under 18 years
3. Use of immunosuppressants (including systemic corticosteroids) in the past 30 days.
4. Pregnant or nursing.
5. Patients with other acute infectious diseases.
6. Patients with autoimmune disease and / or decompensated chronic diseases.
7. Unable to fulfill the administrative tasks proposed by the study.
8. Infection with SARSCoV-2 confirmed by PCR or rapid test authorized by ANMAT.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Cohort
• Time Perspectives: Prospective

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
IVER+; Adults, both genders, no age limit. They will be provided with topical medication, to be used 5 times a day. They will follow standard prophylactic measures and use PPE as suggested by OMS.	Combination product: Iota carrageenan nasal spray and Ivermectin oral drops (used as buccal drops); Topical application in the nose and oral cavity; Other Names: Nasitral (iota carrageenan nasal spray), Ivercass (ivermectin oral drops)
IVER-; Adults, both genders, no age limit They will follow standard prophylactic measures and use PPE suggestions, only.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Number of Infected Subjects	Number of participants testing positive for COVID-19 after inclusion in each arm	28 days

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Adverse Events Other Than Those Resulting From Contagion or Disease Progression	Adverse events reported by subjects of each arm are recorded other than those resulting from contagion or disease progression	28 days

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Eurnekian Public Hospital

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Harden EA, Falshaw R, Carnachan SM, Kern ER, Prichard MN. Virucidal activity of polysaccharide extracts from four algal species against herpes simplex virus. Antiviral Res. 2009 Sep;83(3):282-9. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2009.06.007. Epub 2009 Jul 1.
• Carlucci MJ, Scolaro LA, Noseda MD, Cerezo AS, Damonte EB. Protective effect of a natural carrageenan on genital herpes simplex virus infection in mice. Antiviral Res. 2004 Nov;64(2):137-41. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2004.07.001.
• Ashraf S, Prichard R. Ivermectin exhibits potent anti-mitotic activity. Vet Parasitol. 2016 Aug 15;226:1-4. doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.06.015. Epub 2016 Jun 11.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 1, 2020
• Primary Completion (Actual): August 10, 2020
• Study Completion (Actual): August 10, 2020

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 8, 2020
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 8, 2020
• First Posted (Actual): June 11, 2020

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): October 19, 2020
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 15, 2020
• Last Verified: October 1, 2020

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: IVERMECTIN CARRAGEENAN COVID 19
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Coronavirus Infections; Coronaviridae Infections; Nidovirales Infections; RNA Virus Infections; Virus Diseases; Infections; Respiratory Tract Infections; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Pneumonia, Viral; Pneumonia; Lung Diseases; COVID-19; Anti-Infective Agents; Antiparasitic Agents; Ivermectin
• Other Study ID Numbers: IVERCAR

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: Undecided

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No