Scientists find compounds that block SARS

Hong Kong researchers said they have identified 104 compounds that could possibly block the deadly SARS virus from infecting people.

Some of these compounds potentially could be developed as an anti-SARS medication, scientists from the University of Hong Kong report in the September issue of Chemistry & Biology.SARS, which can cause a fatal type of pneumonia, first emerged in China in late 2002. The virus quickly spread around the globe, killing more than 900 people and infecting more than 8,000 in 29 countries.In the study, the Hong Kong researchers used a method known as chemical genetics to screen more than 50,000 compounds. Of those, 104 looked promising for inhibiting the SARS virus, including 18 that targeted a protein the virus uses to gain entry into human cells, the scientists said.Currently, there are no effective vaccines or treatments to prevent SARS. U.S. scientists at the National Institutes of Health reported in June one dose of a promising vaccine candidate protected monkeys from SARS infection.(Source: United Press, Sept 2004)