Archive for the ‘research’ Category

Abyssinian in Crisis – Cured By MMS

https://pierrekorymedicalmusings.com/p/report-a-case-of-persistent-feline?

Abyssinian in Crisis: How One Cat’s Mysterious Illness and an Unconventional Therapy Transformed a Family — A Physician-Patient Case Report

One of my favorite cancer patients shared her increasing anxiety over Pearl, her new Abyssinian cat that was dying of viral infections. An offhand suggestion led to a complete recovery.

Pierre Kory, MD, MPA
Sep 02, 2025

This is the third report in a growing series of cases successfully treated with chlorine dioxide therapy. The first two were of my own personal illnesses (infectious colitis and paronychial abscess), and this third one is of… a cat named Pearl.

The following case report is co-authored by me and my patient, who has requested anonymity (I will refer to her as Laura).

In a recent follow-up visit with Laura, whom I treat for the prevention of recurrence of breast cancer (which she has had 4 separate times), one of the many topics we covered was her glowing update on the condition of her cat Pearl. Meet Pearl:

SUMMARY:

Dr. Kory’s case report written for an academic journal (AI-assisted).

Title

Clinical Report: A Case of Persistent Feline Calicivirus and Mycoplasma felis Infection in an Abyssinian Kitten and the Use of Chlorine Dioxide (MMS) Therapy

Abstract

We report the clinical course and management of a blue-ticked Abyssinian kitten (“Pearl”) presenting with chronic gastrointestinal, respiratory, and ocular disease following adoption from a multiple-cat household and a recent vaccination for FVRCP. Diagnostic workup established infections with Feline Calicivirus and Mycoplasma felis. Despite conventional therapy, the patient’s symptoms persisted. Off-label use of chlorine dioxide (MMS) was initiated by the parents, along with nutritional support and adjunct therapies. Clinical improvements were observed, including resolution of gastrointestinal symptoms and improved activity. This case highlights the complex interplay between vaccination, pathogen persistence, and adjunctive therapies in feline medicine.

Clinical Outcome

Within days of initiating MMS and supportive nutrition, Pearl demonstrated improved appetite, resolution of diarrhea and vomiting, normalization of respiratory effort, and increased mobility. No serious adverse effects were reported, save for transient gastrointestinal upset during dosage increases (interpreted as Herxheimer reaction by parents). By ten months, Pearl exhibited vigorous activity and weight gain (7 lbs 10 oz), with persistent ocular sight impairment but otherwise full return to health. Co-housed littermate Clio remained asymptomatic following similar supportive care. (See link for full article)

______________

**COMMENT**

Cats AND humans can be infected with Mycoplasma felis, the smallest known organism capable of free existence that does not possess a cell wall.  It can cause pneumonia, UT issues, conjunctivitis, bite wound abscesses, and other diseases. Mycoplasma can cause mycoplasmosis, which can lead to inflammation of several joints, such as knees, ankles, hips, or shoulders. Other symptoms include long-term lethargy, difficulty moving, fever, discomfort, and respiratory issues like sneezing and coughing.

Antibiotic treatment for mycoplasma infections can last a long time, so it is important to remain patient and follow the veterinarian’s or doctor’s instructions. Source

For more:

Category:

Activism, Mycoplasma, research, Transmission, Treatment

Highlights: How Fenben and Meben Disrupt Cancer Pathways

https://drturner.substack.com/p/cancer-fighters-fenbendazole-and?

Cancer Fighters: Fenbendazole and Mebendazole

Repurposing Parasite Drugs to Target Tumors and Disrupt Cancer Pathways

 
Michael Turner M.D.
Aug 26, 2025
Article Excerpts:

Mebendazole, Fenbendazole and Albendazole all belong to a class of medications called “benzimidazoles” which were originally developed as treatment for parasites. Turns out they also do nasty things to cancer cells. (What follows is not an exhaustive list, but rather highlights some of the most prominent mechanisms.)

1. Induce Apoptosis (Programmed Cell Death)

Did you know that all cells have the ability to eliminate themselves by entering a process called “apoptosis”? Apoptosis is a form of guided, programmed cell death that allows the body to remove damaged, unnecessary, or potentially harmful cells in a controlled and orderly way.

For example, during embryonic development, it helps sculpt structures like fingers and toes by removing unneeded cells. In the immune system, apoptosis eliminates infected or malfunctioning cells, such as those with DNA damage, preventing them from becoming cancerous.

Turns out that these medications trigger apoptosis in cancer cells by activating pathways such as p53 and BAX.

Apoptosis gets rid of cells by breaking them into bits your body recycles or destroys

2. Prevent cancer cells from dividing.

A cell is a 3-dimensional object that has an internal skeleton (think of it as a “scaffold”) around which the parts of the cell are attached. In order for a cell to divide, the genetic material replicates, a scaffolding system forms on the opposite end of the cell, and the the scaffold from each side reaches out and pulls the genetic material apart equally.

These pieces of scaffolding are called “microtubules” and if they can’t replicate and move properly, the cell is frozen — unable to divide.

Guess what?

These medications disrupt cancer cell microtubule function!

What about normal cells?

Cancer cells divide rapidly, depending heavily on microtubules for mitosis. Interruption of microtubule function thus has a disproportionately higher impact on these cells.

3. Kill cancer stem cells.

Cancer stem cells are the “seeds” that spawn further cancer growth — but they are not typically targeted by traditional approaches including radiation, surgery or chemotherapy; hence their failure rates.

Watch the video in the link above for more.

What this means, practically, is that measures should be taken to destroy cancer stem cells wherever they may be hiding.

Turns out these medications directly kill cancer stem cells.

(Extra credit: so do Ivermectin, doxycycline, metformin, atorvastatin, green tea extract (EGCG), melatonin, vitamin D3, curcumin, berberine, omega-3 fatty acid, resveratrol, aspirin, diclofenac, and phosphodiesterase 5-inhibitors)

For more reading: https://imahealth.org/cancer-stem-cells/

4. Interfere with the tumor’s ability to form new blood vessels.

In order for a tumor to grow, two essentials are needed: blood supply and energy supply (typically as glucose or glutamine; more on that next..)

So the tumor can only grow to the extent to which it can surround itself with new blood vessels. This process of recruiting blood vessels is called “angiogenesis”.

Guess what?

These medications inhibit angiogenesis (particularly by inhibiting a molecule called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). So by cutting off the nutrient supply, these medications induce tumor starvation and shrinkage.

5. Inhibit Glucose Metabolism (Warburg Effect).

Normal cells have a choice of three main sources of biochemical energy: glucose, fatty acids and ketones. Cancer cells predominately rely on glucose (aka blood sugar) and glutamine—which is a vulnerability that can be exploited.

What if we interfered with the cancer cell’s ability to absorb and utilize glucose as a fuel?

Exactly.

These medications interfere with glucose uptake and utilization by “downregulating”glucose transporters such as GLUT1 and possibly hexokinase; the result is the cell is starved of energy.

Normal cells, which are less dependent on glucose as a fuel source, are less affected by these metabolic disruptions.

Here is Dr. Seyfried talking about the importance of glucose and glutamine for cancer growth:

And finally…

6. Disrupt cancer signaling pathways.

Imagine your body as a city with a traffic light system. Imagine that traffic light system operates during rush hour in a newly developing city (youth). Once the city is built (adulthood), the system mostly shuts down. But in certain rogue neighborhoods (tumors), this traffic controller comes back online and starts creating bypasses, shortcuts, and green lights for dangerous drivers (cancer cells), allowing them to speed through red zones, avoid checkpoints, and grow unchecked.

One of these traffic control systems is called the “Hedgehog (Hh) Pathway”.

Now you already know what I’m going to tell you next, right? 🙂

These medications decrease the activity of the Hedgehog pathway. (Extra credit: so does Ivermectin, Doxycycline, Vitamin D, Curcumin, and Sulforaphane.)

Treatment:

  • These medications should only be obtained from a licensed pharmacy (quality assurance) and taken under the supervision of a healthcare professional, as they are very bioactive, the dosing for cancer is different than for parasites, they interact with other medications and supplements, and require lab monitoring.

  • Mebendazole is the human form (pricey and difficult to find), while Fenbendazole is the veterinary form (a bit harder on the liver but much more affordable and accessible).  (See link for article and references)

Further Reading:

IMA cancer protocol, page 94

http://

The Metabolic Theory of Cancer: Glucose, Glutamine & Anti-Parasitics, Fenbendazole — Thomas Seyfried

The Moss Report
Aug. 30, 2025
 
In this groundbreaking conversation, Professor Thomas N. Seyfried, PhD (Boston College), author of Cancer as a Metabolic Disease, joins Ralph W. Moss, PhD and Ben Moss to discuss the Mitochondrial and Metabolic Theory of Cancer — and why it challenges decades of conventional thinking. Dr. Seyfried explains how cancer cells depend on glucose and glutamine as their dual fuel supply — and how cutting off both pathways may be the key to shutting cancer down.
 
He details the role of the Glucose Ketone Index (GKI), nutritional ketosis, and new interest in anti-parasitic drugs like fenbendazole and mebendazole, which appear to target cancer’s energy metabolism.
 
The full article with links, resources and full transcript can be found here: https://themossreport.com/s5-e13-prof…
 
This episode explores: 
  • Why the somatic mutation theory no longer explains cancer’s true origin
  • How mitochondrial dysfunction drives tumor growth
  • The critical role of glucose and glutamine fermentation in sustaining cancer cells • Why targeting both fuels together is essential for effective therapy
  • Emerging research on fenbendazole, mebendazole, and DON as tools in metabolic therapy
  • The potential of a paradigm shift in oncology — from genes to metabolism
 

For more:

 

Category:

Cancer, research, Treatment

When a Tick Changes the Game: Jared Allen’s Battle with Alpha-Gal Syndrome

https://www.si.com/everyday-athlete/nfl-legend-jared-allen-s-tick-bite-diagnosis-every-athlete-needs-to-know-about

NFL Legend Jared Allen’s Tick Bite Diagnosis Every Athlete Needs to Know About

John Welbourn

When a Tick Changes the Game: Jared Allen’s Battle with Alpha-Gal Syndrome

Most athletes know the importance of diet when it comes to peak performance; what you eat fuels your training, recovery, and overall health. But what happens when something as small as a tick forces you to rethink how you fuel your body completely? That’s precisely what happened to former NFL legend Jared Allen, who recently opened up about his battle with alpha-gal syndrome, a tick-borne food allergy that has reshaped his lifestyle—and his plate.

What is Alpha-Gal Syndrome?

Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is an allergy caused by the bite of the Lone Star tick, commonly found in the southeastern and midwestern United States. Unlike typical food allergies that react to things like peanuts or shellfish, AGS is unique: it causes the body to have a delayed allergic reaction to red meat and other mammal-based products. That means beef, pork, lamb, venison, and even hidden mammal-derived ingredients in foods or supplements can trigger severe symptoms.

The reaction doesn’t always happen immediately after eating, which makes it tricky to diagnose. Symptoms can range from stomach pain and hives to life-threatening anaphylaxis hours after a meal.

Jared Allen’s Diagnosis

For Jared Allen—known for his grit and strength on the football field—the diagnosis meant he had to completely cut mammal meat out of his diet and switch to what he calls a “fins and feathers” lifestyle, sticking to poultry and fish. Imagine going from fueling your body with steak or burgers after grueling workouts to suddenly being told those foods could send you to the ER. That’s a massive change for anyone, let alone a professional athlete used to finely tuned nutrition. (See link for article)

_____________

**Comment**

My son was recently bitten by a Lone star tick.  Well, I should say he was nibbled on by a LS tick, leaving a minuscule red pin prick.  The tick was not remotely engorged.  I received the frightening text from him but admitted I needed to brush up on all of this as so far Wisconsin patients are still mostly dealing with black legged ticks and Lyme/MSIDS even though Lone Star ticks have been found here.

But, the nibble was enough to cause profound illness in 2 weeks time.  (Yes, I’m kicking myself for not demanding prophylactic treatment, but we all grow slack at some point and need a wake-up call.  This was it!) 

His symptoms sounded exactly like Lyme but he was worried he had also developed Alpha Gal as he would get diarrhea within a few hours of eating red meat.  Thankfully this dreaded symptom quickly went away.

All I initially remembered was that LS ticks transmit not only Alpha Gal Syndrome (AGS) the meat allergy the NFL star got, but also STARI, which looks, smells, and acts just like Lyme disease, despite the fact at least 9 transmission experiments involving B. burgdorferi in Lone Star ticks have failed to demonstrate vector competency.  The offending agent of STARI is B. lonestari not B. burgdorferi, but the illness looks the same.  Go here for the nuts and bolts.

BTW: STARI is also called Masters’ disease, named after famed rebel Dr. Ed Masters who took the CDC on single-handedly and outwitted them.  All of Masters’ patients improved dramatically with extended antibiotic treatment despite the CDC’s belief that antibiotics should be used sparingly, if at all.

So, what to do?

Well, I figured if this looked and felt exactly like Lyme, it would respond to Lyme treatment.  My son went on the following (reminder: I’m not a doctor and I don’t diagnose or treat anyone):

  • 100mg minocycline, twice daily for two weeks; however when discontinued his symptoms returned, signaling that a layered approach was needed.  This is common.
  • he then pulsed 500mg tinidazole once a day for two successive days weekly
  • he then layered in 12mg ivermectin every other day
  • he did daily red light and sauna therapy
  • he did two rounds of EBOO (extracorporeal blood oxygenation and ozonation) 3 weeks apart.  He said the EBOO completely knocked him on his butt and he had to take a day off work to sleep, but that shortly he felt the best he had felt since starting treatment.
It took every bit of that treatment for three months to finally knock it.
 I’m happy to report he has remained symptom free.

On a side note, ivermectin and/or fenbendazole has:

This was not a fun experiment but I know how important it is to share our experiences, as that is often all we patients truly have – each other.

Category:

Alpha Gal Meat Allergy, Alzheimer's, Autism, Lyme, Parasites, research, Testing, Ticks, Transmission, Treatment

FDA Approves Updated COVID-19 Shots With Limits & 3 Peer-Reviewed Studies Provide Irrefutable Grounds For Pulling Them

https://apnews.com/article/vaccines-covid-shots-fda-kennedy-pfizer-children-

FDA Approves Updated COVID-19 Shots With Limits For Some Kids and Adults

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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U.S. regulators approved updated shots but limited their use for many Americans — and removed one of the two vaccines available for young children.

By  MATTHEW PERRONE
Updated August 27, 2025
 

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. regulators approved updated COVID-19 shots Wednesday but limited their use for many Americans — and removed one of the two vaccines available for young children.

The new shots from Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax are approved for all seniors. But the Food and Drug Administration narrowed their use for younger adults and children to those with at least one high-risk health condition, such as asthma or obesity. That presents new barriers to access for millions of Americans who would have to prove their risk — and millions more who may want to get vaccinated and suddenly no longer qualify.

Additionally, Pfizer’s vaccine will no longer be available for any child under 5, because the FDA said it was revoking the shot’s emergency authorization for that age group.

Parents will still be able to seek out shots from rival drugmaker Moderna, the other maker of mRNA vaccines, which has full FDA approval for children as young as 6 months. But the company’s Spikevax vaccine is only approved for children with at least one serious health problem. (See link for article)

Important quote:

“The American people demanded science, safety, and common sense. This framework delivers all three,” Kennedy wrote on social media.

_____________

The following quote sums it all up:

Revoking the Emergency Use Authorization for COVID shots is a long-overdue step. But authorizing new mRNA injections for babies and vulnerable populations is reckless and dangerous. We are now uncovering direct evidence of genomic integration and severe transgenerational harms from mRNA technology. Continuous approval for any human being is a grave mistake. ~ Nicolas Hulscher, MPH

Further, a top cancer geneticist states the mRNA shots ‘permanently’ damage the human genome, a new analysis of the Czech COVID shot data reveals the shots are deadly for ALL ages and should be whole scale pulled from market, and a preprint hypothesizes that when infections follow vaccination—especially repeated ones—the result isn’t less severe illness but more. Sometimes much more. 

But truth be damned.

On top of all the bad news is the very real possibility that even if you avoided spike protein damage from the clot shots you are still at risk due to shedding from others and from the food chain.

https://www.thefocalpoints.com/p/breaking-three-peer-reviewed-studies?

BREAKING: Three Peer-Reviewed Studies Provide Irrefutable Grounds for Immediate Market Withdrawal of COVID-19 mRNA Injections

International evidence converges: mRNA shots are unsafe, ineffective, contaminated, and in violation of international law.

 
Aug 28, 2025
 

by Nicolas Hulscher, MPH

Two major peer-reviewed papers were published in the last 48 hours — one from Japan and another from an international team of physicians and researchers, including those from the McCullough Foundation.

These build directly on our foundational peer-reviewed paper published earlier this year, which comprehensively established the case for terminating mRNA injection programs.

Together, these three studies converge on the same conclusion:

The modified COVID-19 mRNA injections are unsafe, ineffective, contaminated, and in violation of international law.

This is now the strongest scientific and ethical case yet for immediate global withdrawal of mRNA-LNP products.  (See link for article and studies)

_______________

The studies call for:

  • All genetic COVID-19 products must be immediately removed from the market.

  • Self-amplifying mRNA platforms must be stopped before repeating this disaster.

  • International investigation under the Bioweapons Convention is indicated.

 

Category:

Activism, research, vaccines

Debunking ‘Virology is Fraud’ Arguments &

As you know, this website has posted on both sides of the viral debate.  Do they exist or don’t they?  Deniers say it has to do with ‘purification’ and that they have not managed to truly isolate a singular entity, among other issues.  Below is an article that is pro-virus.

One thing is for certain: our own government is tweaking bacteria and ‘viruses’ in labs to make them more virulent and transmissible to humans.  Our own government has been involved in utilizing ‘viruses’ to take away our freedoms and mandating untested and experimental products which have caused untold harm – all for profit.  Their profit, not ours.

But, per usual, illness is often far more complicated than one thing.

There are so many toxic variables now, it’s nearly impossible to sleuth out what is causing or exacerbating what.  Between pesticides, herbicides, poor food quality, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), bioweapons, geoengineering (weather modification), ‘vaccines,’ EMF in 5G, smart meters, WiFi, unhealthy LED lighting, and blue light, fluoride in the drinking water, bottled/canned drinks, and most toothpaste, good luck figuring out what’s making you sick.  

It’s truly a marvel we are still sucking air!

https://hillmd.substack.com/p/top-80-ways-to-know-viruses-are-real?

Top 80 ways to know viruses are real

Debunking “virology is fraud” arguments
James Hill, MD
Aug 16, 2025

Many today on social media claim viruses don’t exist.

Surprisingly, a few physicians and PhD scientists have joined this chorus.

Some are now even saying DNA is fake.

Are these people correct?

It makes sense to be skeptical of virus claims, especially since the public was lied to extensively about Covid origins, treatments, vaccines, lockdowns, social distancing, masks, and numbers of Covid infections, cases, and deaths, based on misuse of PCR tests among other things.

But a vast amount of data indicates viruses do exist.

Undeniable evidence

Viruses are a fundamental part of our planet’s biology, yet their nature is strange.

A virus is an infectious agent composed of genetic material — either DNA or RNA — enclosed within a protective protein coat called a capsid.

Some viruses are further enveloped in a lipid membrane stolen from the host cell.

They are considered noncellular and are obligate intracellular parasites, meaning they cannot replicate on their own.

Instead, they must hijack the energy and molecular machinery of a living cell to create more copies of themselves.

This unique mode of existence, on the border between living and nonliving, has been demonstrated through more than a century of scientific investigation across numerous fields.

Viruses infect all domains of life — bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes — and display diverse shapes, sizes, and genome types.

Virus-encoded proteins follow a limited set of genome expression “routes” (the Baltimore classes) and are formally classified by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV). (PMC)

Operational definition
ICTV defines viruses operationally as mobile genetic elements (MGEs) that encode at least one major virion protein forming the particle that packages the genome, or clear descendants of such entities. (ICTV)

Virions and genome types
Virions are nanoscale particles composed of virus-encoded proteins that package genomes made of RNA or DNA, single- or double-stranded. ICTV hosts the official taxonomy browser and Master Species List (MSL) that catalogue this diversity. (ICTV)

Virus taxonomy is hierarchical and genome informed
ICTV now uses a 15-rank hierarchy (from realm to species), aligning with comparative genomics across the virosphere. (Nature)

Key properties of viruses:

  • Submicroscopic size (typically 20–300 nm)
  • Simplified structure (genome + capsid, sometimes an envelope)
  • Obligate dependence on host cells
  • Genetic variation and evolution
  • Production of progeny virions that can infect new cells.
  • Transmission between hosts with high specificity and through various routes (respiratory, fecal-oral, vector borne, etc.).

Below are 80 key lines of evidence, gathered from microscopy, molecular and evolutionary biology, genetics, immunology, and clinical medicine, that build an ironclad case for the existence and nature of viruses.

If just about any one of the 80 peer-reviewed studies or review papers below is true, spanning from Rivers’ 1937 modification of Koch’s postulates to today, it debunks the claim “there are no viruses.”  (See link for article and video)

______________

https://hillmd.substack.com/p/yes-viruses-transmit-between-mammals?

Yes, viruses transmit between mammals including humans: ten studies

And yes, people become infected when inoculated with the Covid virus, find two challenge studies (Updated 9/2/25)

Dr. James Hill

Sept. 1, 2023

10 peer-reviewed studies showing viruses can spread among mammals, including humans:

1) Human rhinovirus — volunteer-to-volunteer spread (1966)

Summary: At the Salisbury Common Cold Unit, volunteers inoculated with rhinovirus were housed with susceptible subjects. Transmission occurred via both direct contact and aerosols, demonstrating natural spread in a controlled setting.

Citation: Gwaltney JM Jr, Hendley JO, Simon G, Jordan WS Jr. Rhinovirus infections in an industrial population. IV. Natural transmission of infection. Annals of Internal Medicine. 1966;64(1):28-34.

PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4285761/ • DOI: https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-64-1-28

2) Human rhinovirus — hand-to-hand transmission (1978)

Summary: Experimentally infected “donors” transmitted rhinovirus to susceptible “recipients” via hand contact under controlled conditions.
Citation: Gwaltney JM Jr, Moskalski PB, Hendley JO. Hand-to-hand transmission of rhinovirus colds. Ann Intern Med.1978;88(4):463-467.
PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/205151/ • DOI: https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-88-4-463

3) Human rhinovirus — contaminated surfaces (1982)

Summary: Healthy adults touched objects seeded by infected donors, then their own mucosa; 50–56% became infected. Disinfectant markedly reduced recoverable virus.

Citation: Gwaltney JM Jr, Hendley JO. Transmission of experimental rhinovirus infection by contaminated surfaces. Am J Epidemiol. 1982;116(5):828-833.
PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6293304/ • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a113473 (PubMed)

4) Coxsackievirus A21 — human volunteer spread (1965)

Summary: At the Common Cold Unit, inoculated volunteers transmitted coxsackievirus A21 to susceptible volunteers under controlled housing conditions.

Citation: Buckland FE, Bynoe ML, Tyrrell DAJ. Experiments on the spread of colds. II. Studies in volunteers with coxsackievirus A21. J Hyg (Lond). 1965;63(3):327-343.
PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/5318065/ • PDF (Cambridge): https://resolve.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/D670B9E2A0978FDA6150365761B27D1B/S0022172400045228a.pdf/experiments_on_the_spread_of_colds_ii_studies_in_volunteers_with_coxsackievirus_a21.pdf

5) Influenza A — human aerosol challenge (1966)

Summary: Healthy volunteers inhaled small-particle aerosols with quantified influenza A; typical illness ensued at very low doses — clear airborne transmission in humans.

Citation: Alford RH, Kasel JA, Gerone PJ, Knight V. Human influenza resulting from aerosol inhalation. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 1966;122(3):800-804.
PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/5918954/ • DOI page: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.3181/00379727-122-31255 (Open PDF: https://www.ebm-journal.org/journals/experimental-biology-and-medicine/articles/10.3181/00379727-122-31255/pdf)

6) Influenza A — human transmission (2012)

Summary: In a quarantine facility, inoculated “donors” mingled with susceptible “recipients”; after adjusting for baseline immunity, the secondary attack rate was ~25%.

Citation: Killingley B, Enstone JE, Greatorex J, et al. Use of a human influenza challenge model to assess person-to-person transmission: proof-of-concept study. J Infect Dis. 2012;205(1):35-43.
PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22131338/ • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jir701

7) Influenza A — guinea pig model (2006)

Summary: Unadapted human influenza A transmitted between guinea pigs housed together, in adjacent cages, and nearly 1 m apart — establishing a robust mammalian model.

Citation: Lowen AC, Mubareka S, Tumpey TM, García-Sastre A, Palese P. The guinea pig as a transmission model for human influenza viruses. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2006;103(26):9988-9992.
PNAS (DOI): https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.0604157103 (PDF: https://www.pnas.org/doi/pdf/10.1073/pnas.0604157103) (PNAS)

8) SARS-CoV-2 — ferrets (2020)

Summary: Infected ferrets transmitted SARS-CoV-2 to naïve ferrets both by direct contact and through the air (adjacent cages).

Citation: Kim YI, Kim SG, Kim SM, et al. Infection and rapid transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in ferrets. Cell Host Microbe. 2020;27(5):704-709.e2.
PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32259477/ (Open PDF: https://www.cell.com/cell-host-microbe/pdf/S1931-3128%2820%2930187-6.pdf) (PubMed, Cell)

9) SARS-CoV-2 — ferrets, independent group (2020)

Summary: Independent replication showing efficient contact and airborne transmission between ferrets.

Citation: Richard M, Kok A, de Meulder D, et al. SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted via contact and via the air between ferrets.Nat Commun. 2020;11:3496.
Article (open access): https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-17367-2 • PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32641684/

10) SARS-CoV-2 — golden Syrian hamsters (2020)

Summary: Infected hamsters efficiently transmitted virus to naïve cage mates; recipients lost weight and seroconverted — establishing a strong small-mammal model.

Citation: Sia SF, Yan LM, Chin AWH, et al. Pathogenesis and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in golden hamsters. Nature.2020;583:834-838.
Article (open access): https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2342-5 • PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32408338/ (PMC: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7394720/)

Covid virus challenges

Researchers also performed two human SARS-CoV-2 virus challenge studies, where volunteers snorted the virus up their nose (self-inoculation) to see if they became infected.

It turns out they did get infected:

1. Safety, tolerability, and viral kinetics (2022)

Summary: This was the first SARS-CoV-2 human challenge study. Healthy, young, seronegative adults were intranasally inoculated with SARS-CoV-2 under controlled quarantine. The study established viral kinetics, safety, and infectivity. It did not include exposing uninfected volunteers to inoculated ones.

Citation: Killingley B, Mann AJ, Kalinova M, et al. Safety, tolerability and viral kinetics during SARS-CoV-2 human challenge in young adults. Nature Medicine. 2022;28:1031-1041.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-022-01780-9
Publisher link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-022-01780-9

2. Local and systemic immune responses (2024)

Summary: This follow-up study profiled immune and epithelial cell responses after controlled intranasal inoculation of healthy, seronegative young adults. It provided detailed cellular and molecular insights, again without person-to-person exposure.

Citation: Lindeboom RGH, Worlock KB, Dratva LM, et al. Human SARS-CoV-2 challenge uncovers local and systemic response dynamics. Nature. 2024;630:86-94.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07575-x
Publisher link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07575-x

Why are there no volunteer-to-volunteer Covid transmission studies?

It’s mainly an ethics issue:

  1. Ethical barriers: Unlike influenza or rhinovirus studies at the Common Cold Unit, SARS-CoV-2 presents risks of severe or long-term illness, making intentional volunteer-to-volunteer transmission unethical.
  2. Controlled approach: All SARS-CoV-2 human challenge studies to date use direct intranasal inoculation under quarantine to control risks.
  3. Evidence base: To study transmission, researchers rely instead on animal models (ferrets, hamsters, guinea pigs) and observational human data (household studies, outbreak clusters) rather than deliberate person-to-person exposure in healthy volunteers.

Note: Just because viruses exist and can transmit between hosts does not mean government and media are telling you the truth about everything or that Covid is not a bioweapon operation.

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Activism, research, Viruses