IMS-BHU experts all set for test of ‘corona-killing’ virus

VARANASI: Encouraged by the results of an extensive research project, experts at the department of neurology, Institute of Medical Science of Banaras Hindu University (IMS-BHU) are looking forward to conduct human trials of Gangetic bacteriophages — viruses that infect and kill bacterial cells — to prove their therapeutic utility and treatment of SARS-Cov-2 infection (Covid-19).
The research team consisted of the head of the department Prof.Rameshwar Nath Chaurasia, senior neurologist Prof Vijay Nath Mishra, Kumari Nidhi, Dr. Abhishek Pathak, Dr. Varun Kumar Singh and Dr. Anand Kumar.
Besides, Rajnish Chaturvedi of System Toxicology and Health Research Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow and Arun Kumar Gupta, Amicus Curiae, Allahabad High court, are also associated with the group in exploring the varied applications of bacteriophages and their revival in the frozen Himalayan permafrost.
Several studies have confirmed that in addition to their anti-bacterial abilities, bacteriophages also show anti-viral and anti-fungal properties. Their review article — ‘Bacteriophages: Possible roles in treatment for SARS -Cov-2 infection’ — has been accepted by the ‘International Journal of Microbiology’ for publication.
“This review explores the impact of bacteriophages on SARS-CoV-2, especially concerning phage therapy (PT). It has also been shown that PT is effective for building immunity against viral pathogens; additionally, phages produce the anti-viral protein phagicin”, said Mishra adding, “Water from Ganga has traditionally been considered a therapeutic agent for several diseases. We hypothesize that the Ganga river may play a therapeutic role in the treatment of Covid-19”.
The phagicin is a protein that interferes with the replication of viral DNA, but it does not cause any harm to the host DNA. Phages in the body compete with the other highly infective eukaryotic viruses for cellular receptors and thereby restrict their harmful actions on the host cell.
Bacteriophages consist of a nucleic acid molecule surrounded by a specific protein coat (capsid). In Ganga, the proportion of bacteriophages is three times higher than that of bacteria. It has been reported by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute that the Ganga contains approximately 1,100 types of bacteriophages. This is significantly higher than that in the Yamuna and Narmada, which contain fewer than 200 species of bacteriophages. Ganga water exhibits high alkalinity, and some of its self-purificatory properties contribute to the growth of bacteriophages.
Chaurasia said that the phages mediate immunoregulatory and immunotherapeutic activities that are relevant in balancing the immunological homeostasis of human subjects. Many bacteriophages possess hydrolytic enzymes called lysin, including endolysins and ectolysins, which help to rupture the bacterial peptidoglycan cell wall to allow entry of phage DNA.
The PT can also be used against non-bacterial infections like viruses and fungi. Thus, the phages found in the body or Ganga water (phageome) can protect humans from various infections by killing bacteria as well as non-bacterial host-specific organisms.
He said that the findings on phages and their possible antiviral properties are preliminary and need to be validated by meticulous in vitro and in vivo studies. If lab studies show some promising results, then it could be possible to have clinical studies and randomized phase 1-3 human trials to prove their therapeutic utility.
“The human trials will be started immediately after the permission of the ethical committee of BHU,” he said adding that all arrangements have been made for this purpose.