A year-long double-blind randomised control study at UKZN identified a supplement to help ease mild or moderate COVID-19.
The study was undertaken by co-investigators Professor Jaclyn Mann, a UKZN associate professor and HIV Pathogenesis Programme faculty member, and Dr Bernadett Gosnell, a medical officer at UKZN’s Department of Infectious Diseases.
Said Gosnell: ‘The research project was definitely a collaborative effort, including clinicians from the Department of Infectious Diseases, statisticians from the Medical Research Council and researchers from the Aurum Institute and the Africa Health Research Institute.’
The study investigated the ability of a hen egg white bovine colostrum supplement to prevent severe COVID-19. The research was based at two sites in Durban – King Edward VIII Hospital and Cato Manor Clinic – from July 2021 to July 2022.
Adults with mild or moderate COVID-19, pre-determined risk factors for severe disease, and within five days of symptom onset took part in the study.
The researchers documented symptoms until day 42 post-enrolment and viral clearance was assessed at 11-13 days post-symptom onset. ‘One participant developed severe COVID-19,’ said Gosnell. ‘The severe-type symptom score was lower in the active arm at 11-13 days post-symptom onset. Chest pain, fever and chills, joint pain or malaise, and sore throat were significantly less frequent in the active arm. No differences in viral clearance were observed. The intervention reduced symptoms of mild or moderate COVID-19.’
‘This exciting research was funded by the Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa (AESA) platform and initially presented at the SANTHE Annual Consortium Meeting in July 2023,’ said Gosnell.
A manuscript has just been accepted for publication in the journal Future Science OA, available at www.future-science.com/doi/10.2144/fsoa-2023-0024, which will allow this innovative research to be viewed by a broad audience and may spur further research into this field of supportive medical therapy.
Words: Mary Vanderstok