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SHOULD WE FEAR THE PANDEMIC?
Coming Soon reviews "high-tech" products that may one day be found on the back of an ambulance. This month, we review a new technology that may be able to remove viruses from the body.
In EMS, we frequently hear warnings about the next major uncontrollable outbreak of influenza. This is especially true regarding the talk about H5N1, or avian flu. But maybe these new strains of virus will no longer be able to run rampant throughout the world! A recent announcement by the University of Maryland's A. James Clark School of Engineering foretells of new technology that may be able to remove viruses from the body.
The technology, known as a virus sponge, works similarly to dialysis to filter a virus from the blood and safely cleanse the body. The process involves molecular technology in which the molecule to be filtered is imprinted into a substance that traps the virus, allowing it to be easily filtered. The substance used as the filter is known as hydrogel. Hydrogel is described as a powder when dry, but a gel-like substance once it is wet. As the blood is filtered through the gel, the virus fits into the imprint and is trapped, then removed. Current research has focused on the human parvovirus B19 (which causes "fifth disease"); however, work has been started on imprinting and filtering H5N1.
The virus sponge is only one use for the new technology. The School anticipates additional uses for hydrogel, including a pill that could filter glucose in the intestines of diabetic patients to help them more easily control blood sugar levels. In addition, hydrogel could be used in a face mask to filter biological agents in the event of biological warfare.
EMS Implications
Currently, the technology is in its developmental stages. If the hydrogel proves effective at trapping viruses when used as a virus sponge, pandemic planning may take a different turn. Patients infected with the pandemic agent would need prompt evaluation and transportation to a dialysis center or facility equipped with the sponge. EMTs and paramedics exposed to the virus could undergo the same filtration with minimal risk and not lose too much time from work or risk being quarantined at home. Thus, staffing shortages may not be problematic. Additionally, if a face mask can be infused or lined with hydrogel, the risk of exposure to the infectious agent could be eliminated, or at least significantly minimized.
In the Field
The only EMS field application for the technology is in the face mask that can be used to filter biological agents. However, transport protocols in pandemic planning may need revision to include virus sponge-enabled destinations.
The benefits of this technology include:
- Breaking the spread of a pandemic
- Reducing the likelihood of EMS staffing shortages
- Reducing exposure to infectious agents.
There are negatives to this technology as well. The cons include:
- Availability may be limited to urban areas or areas with financial resources to support the technology
- Transport times may increase from revised protocols requiring use of dialysis centers that have the virus sponge
- Patients with a simple case of the flu or common cold may demand the virus sponge
- Cost is not yet determined
- No date is set for widespread use or implementation.
There is no doubt EMS needs to be prepared for a potential pandemic. It is uncertain whether an influenza pandemic is on the horizon, but planning has been developed in the event a worldwide disease develops. Technology, including vaccines against influenza, has reduced the morbidity and mortality of pandemics. The virus sponge, if truly effective, could make short work of the disease.
For more information, visit www.eng.umd.edu/media/pressreleases/pr050807_virus-sponge.html.
Bob Nixon is the Division Manager of Clinical Education and CQI for AMR in the Northeast Division. He is also the President and Owner of LifeCare Medical Training and has been involved in EMS since 1971 and EMS education since 1974. He currently has six EMS textbooks on the market.
