“Can science capture intact, whole SARS-CoV-2 virus from blood and other biofluids?
“A group of scientists and researchers from major US health and educational institutions developed an affinity-based microfluids device that can specifically capture intact SARS-CoV-2 virus from plasma and other complex biofluids [1]. This device is so sensitive that it can identify and capture as few as three intact viral copies per milliliter of plasma or biofluids. Biofluids that were tested included: plasma, saliva, and stool samples [1].
“This device is ground-breaking in that it captures a complete, intact virus, and not just RNA particles from the virus. Moreover, the device was demonstrated to successfully capture all variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus tested. For details on the device and images of captured viruses, see the diagram below.
“Interestingly, the authors did not find a positive correlation between virus copy numbers in the blood and outcome. Whereas higher numbers of intact virus detected in the stool and saliva correlated positively with more severe outcomes [1].
“It is obvious that the ability to distinguish between intact, whole viruses and viral particles may help us understand how the virus operates after initial infection. This new device will also be able to help science understand and perhaps resolve health challenges presented by long-Covid.
“With such sensitive detection capacity, we can finally test the in vivo effects of melatonin on the virus.”
GOT MEL?
References:
[1] Rabe DC, Choudhury A, Lee D, Luciani EG, Ho UK, Clark AE, et al. Ultrasensitive detection of intact SARS-CoV-2 particles in complex biofluids using microfluidic affinity capture. Sci Adv. 2025;11.
h/t to Doris Loh
GreatCosmicMothersUnite 