Does alpha-1 antitrypsin inhibit SARS-CoV-2?
Author
Alpha1 Germany eV.
Potential hope for the treatment of Covid-19? What does alpha-1 antitrypsin have to do with it? A study from Ulm is drawing considerable attention to alpha-1 antitrypsin:
Alpha-1 antitrypsin inhibits TMPRSS2 protease activity and SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The results of the study are not entirely surprising to some. We knew that some patients treated with AAT had a better outcome as a result, but there was no written documentation of this yet. The most important points can also be summarized below. Read more in the press release from the University of Ulm.
Vaccine development is progressing: Another vaccine against Covid-19
Meanwhile, a further vaccine against Covid-19, This time from Johnson & Johnson, approved by the EMA.
What's special about this vaccine is that it's supposed to be fully effective after just one dose. Furthermore, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is stable for at least three months at temperatures between two and eight degrees Celsius. Like the AstraZeneca vaccine, this is a vector vaccine. It will likely not be available in Germany until mid-April.
Vaccination is the best way to combat the pandemic. Due to numerous inquiries, we would like to reiterate: All vaccines are equally suitable for us Alphas! (Transplant recipients are the only exception here). AstraZeneca (see last newsletter) is also among the suitable vaccines, which can reduce severe cases by almost 100%.
Vaccine reactions, even strong ones, show that the body is dealing with the pathogen. According to Prof. Michael Schäfer, Director of the Leipzig Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, this is a sign that the foreign protein is being incorporated into the body. This is also the desired effect, as it means something is actually happening in the body.
During a visit to an aerosol conference, we learned that it is considered beneficial to vaccinate older people with AstraZeneca primarily because of its particularly high mitigation effect in severe cases. mRNA vaccines, on the other hand, should be administered to younger people, as they combat infectiousness and thus stop further transmission more quickly.
A brief note regarding the reported cases of thrombosis: Please always consider the case numbers; they are extremely rare! And the good news is, they are treatable (please watch for headaches and swollen extremities between the fourth day and two weeks after vaccination). Treatment involves a plasma product that patients with hemophilia are already familiar with.
A quick tip for when you go to the vaccination center with your doctor's letter for prioritization in group 2: Your doctor should have used the term "COPD" in the letter, as unfortunately, not everyone with medical training is familiar with the term "alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency." This will help you avoid awkward discussions at the vaccination center.
School reopening: Consequences for children with AATM?
We received several inquiries from concerned parents when the news broke that schools were reopening – understandably so! After consulting with doctors, we currently believe that children with AATM who are asymptomatic do not have a higher risk of experiencing a severe case of Covid-19 than children without this genetic defect.
This is confirmed by the fact that, fortunately, we have so far... no There are known cases of children or adolescents with Alpha-1 who have experienced severe cases of Covid-19.
As soon as vaccines for children are approved, it makes sense for young adults to get vaccinated. According to the Paul Ehrlich Institute, the BioNTech vaccine is approved for ages 16 and up; the same applies to all other vaccines currently approved in Germany. A minimum age of 18 years applies.
Movement during pandemic times
An increasingly important topic is the Movement during pandemic times. Many of us simply don't get enough exercise!
What about rehabilitation sports (pulmonary exercises), for example? [This is followed by a comment.] Statement of the Working Group on Lung Sports in Germany eV., which demands that measures such as pulmonary exercise urgently need to take place live again.
We also learned before the Article published by Thieme As you may already know, we have Michaela Frisch on our advisory board, who reminds us of this. Together with other authors from the Working Group on Pulmonary Exercise (or rather, an expert group of sports scientists, sports therapists, and pulmonologists), she collaborated to promote the underutilized treatment option of "exercise therapy for patients with chronic lung diseases" and to encourage its wider adoption and dissemination. The result is a set of recommendations for conducting outpatient, community-based pulmonary exercise programs in groups.
And to encourage all Alphas to do short workouts, we've started a new YouTube series: Exercise in everyday life – with lung exercise trainer Peter Kukry
They regularly present very short exercise routines there. It doesn't hurt to take a look – participating sometimes does, and it's wonderful when the pain subsides 😉
From research and science
Malin Fromme, UKAachen, together with other authors, has written an article focusing on the hepatological effects in clinical practice. The study This defines the hepatological risks associated with the major AATD genotypes, including a predisposition for liver tumors. This data enables evidence-based counseling and individualized hepatological monitoring, thus ensuring better medical care for us Alphas.
A personal note
- Our first virtual Alpha1 general meeting, including elections, will take place on April 23, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. Access details for the Zoom conference will be sent approximately one week prior to the event. There will be a review of the work completed, and the results of the postal ballots for the positions of board members, advisory board members, and auditors will be announced. Join us and exercise your right to vote in advance by postal ballot!
- Unfortunately, a technical error during direct debit processing resulted in a debit followed by a credit for almost all members. Please don't worry. A new and final debit will be processed shortly.
- Running for a good cause: It's finally scheduled to start on April 22nd: 4 friends run 130 km in maximum 30 hours from the Düsseldorf State Parliament to the Gronau Rock'n'Pop Museum.
They love a challenge and testing their limits: Robert Büscher, Marcus Hagemann, Dirk Hallekamp, and Ingo Hoff are not only battling their inner demons in this event, but above all, competing together for a good cause. Both "Aktion Lichtblicke eV" and "Alpha 1 Deutschland eV" will benefit from the amount of money raised.
Please pass it on; every donation, no matter how small, is greatly appreciated! All further information: www.landtagslauf.de
