Why does the coronavirus target old people, diabetics, patients with heart disease or high blood pressure? All viruses require high body iron levels to be successful pathogens. Both Chloroquine and Azithromycin reduce iron levels coincidence?

1. Why the Coronavirus Craves Iron!0
inferred from victims, Chloroquine, & considering Tetracycline
By Prof. Chris YUKNA ret.

2. Foreword
What follows may appear to be sheer speculation.
However, all the premises and information herein are
based on general principles of Biology and often are
expressed in published peer reviewed articles.
Please click on any hyperlink to further understand
their implications and often connection with IRON

3. Present situation March 2020
 The Coronavirus Covid-19 is spreading rapidly
worldwide with devastating results.
 Lots of great efforts and effective methods like
quarantines, closing schools, factories and
postponing sporting events are in place to stem this
tide.
 However, not a lot of from the knowledge of viruses
in general, nor a perspective derived from its victims
in common.
 Hence this PPT. C.G.Yukna

4. The Hallmarks of Coronavirus Covid-19
 1. More severe with the elderly (why them?)
 2. Patients with a history of diabetes, heart disease or high
blood pressure are at greater risk.
 3. Covid-19, an animal virus is new to humans and not
airborne yet.
 4. Chloroquine a cheap anti-malarial drug tested in World
War 2 is showing promise (How? Why?)
 5. The antibiotic Azithromycin added to Chloroquine
provides a superior response.
 6. Comes from China, coincidence?
Could they all be linked with iron?

5. All pathological viruses require an iron
rich host to replicate quickly.
Viral infection and iron metabolism. NCBI
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov › pubmed
by H Drakesmith - 2008
“Viruses hijack cells in order to replicate,
and efficient replication needs an iron-
replete host.”
This is not new see Iron Metabolism by Robert Crichton 2009
As will be shown, this applies to all viruses (not just CoVid-
19) from Ebola, Hepatitis, to HIV iron is the essential element
.

6. Ebola
Iron level regulation: A preventative measure against Ebola
While Ebola is actually a virus and not a bacterium, a host still
needs iron to make viral particles. ...
Hepatitis
Relationship between Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Iron
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov › pmc › by DM Zou - 2017 -
,
Relationship between HCV infection and iron overload. HCV
reduces the levels of hepcidin, and elevates the levels of FPN,
resulting in elevated iron absorbed by enterocytes and iron
deposition in hepatocytes and macrophages.
Like all parasites, the virus alters the host!

7. Human Immunodeficiency Virus
High Cellular Iron Levels Are Associated with Increased HIV
Earlier studies had suggested that anemia is common in HIV-infected
patients; however, higher iron was also observed in AIDS patients prior
to the introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART). …
more iron = higher infection rate & more viral particles produced!
That's pretty damming: increased iron = poorer outcome
Plus HIV infection alone leads to increased cellular iron!

9. Iron Hypothesis:all pathogens need sufficient supplies of iron
This relationship between iron and viral pathology
could be repeatedly demonstrated adum finitumm but it is only
the tip of the iceberg.
 After all, it is not possible to culture antibiotic resistant bacteria
without introducing blood or use steel Petri dishes.
 Did you know that high iron presence co-selects bacteria for
antibiotic resistance? NO DRUG EXPOSURE NEEDED!
 Every sexually transmitted disease STD listed on Wikipedia has
a special relation and even techniques to acquire iron. And so
on...

10. Malaria
It has been long known how Malaria protozoa acquire iron:
Iron Acquisition by Parasitic Protozoa www.cell.com
“which bacteria and protozoa effectively scavenge iron from
their hosts during “...
Therefore, any treatment that sequesters, withholds or reduces iron
absorption would diminish the effectiveness or the Malarial
parasite. And Chloroquine?

11. The anti-malarial drug Chloroquine and Covid-19
Of chloroquine and COVID-19. - NCBI www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ›
pubmed
by F Touret - 2020
Of chloroquine and COVID-19. ... benefit of chloroquine, a
broadly used antimalarial drug, in the treatment of patients
infected by the novel emerged coronavirus ...
So where is the link to iron?

12. Chloroquine has strong activity against the blood
stage of Plasmodium infection, and seems to work
by reducing the availability of iron
Relationship between Chloroquine Toxicity and Iron ...
by LR Emerson - 2002 -
“FeCl3 accumulation was inhibited in the presence
of Chloroquine, and kinetic analysis demonstrated that inhibition
was competitive. the addition of iron rescues these cells from
Chloroquine killing... These results are consistent with
deprivation of iron as a mechanism of Chloroquine killing in
yeast.”
This does suggest both other research paths to
lessen the risks of Covid-19 and reduced
success rates if a patient is iron rich or
taking multi-vitamin and mineral supplements

13. Azithromycin: Antibiotic Virus Killer?
How would that work?
Well AZM is a weak antimalarial, interferes with the absorption
of iron supplements and like most antibiotics against Plasmodium
falciparum is inhibited by iron. So there is a link to an iron
withdrawal strategy.
Has antiviral properties in cystic fibrosis … anti-Zika virus
activity and with other respiratory viruses
AZM is reported to have unexplained anti-inflammatory
properties.
Iron and its homeostasis are intimately tied to the
inflammatory response !!!

14. Aging and Iron
.
 With age our tissues are increasingly rich in metals and this is
true from mammals to insects
“It is known that serum ferritin in humans shows a very substantial change
with increasing age. A rapid increase from 30 I1g/1 at age 15 to more than
90l1g/1 at age 30 occurs in males. In females this increase is delayed until
after age 40. Total body iron is also high in males, with 50 mg/kg for males
and 38 mg/kg for females (Finch and Huebers 1982)” From Insect Aging
 So since Viruses need an iron replete host, then the
elderly would be increasingly at risk.

15. Diabetes, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure
 What do all three have in common?
 They are all symptoms of the Metabolic Syndrome
 Prevalence of Body Iron Excess in the Metabolic Syndrome
.
“The metabolic syndrome is closely linked to insulin resistance and implies an
increased cardiovascular risk. Accumulating evidence suggests a link
between body iron excess and insulin metabolism . Studies have shown an
association between serum ferritin and one or more metabolic syndrome”
 Once again there is a connection to excess iron.

16. China and Iron Fortification
 Why is China the source of so many viruses?
 True domestic animals live in close proximity with humans
 However, China “voluntarily” adds iron to rice and wheat
products and at the beginning of the 21st century:
a number of Southeast Asian countries and China, fish
sauce and soy sauces produced at the industrial level are
fortified with iron.
Rapid quantification of iron content in fish and soy sauces
...www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov › pubmed by A Laillou
Coincidence?

17. Magnetic Nanoparticle Air Pollution
Since China has had high air pollution levels from Coal.
This introduces iron into the mucus membranes and lungs
facilitating viral infection. Evidence:
Coal plants and other industrial sources produce airborne
spherical magnetic particles (Fe) in vast quantities .
Even children are affected increasing their blood pressure by
these magnetic nanoparticles in the atmosphere.
With all of these facts it seems apparent that China
would be vulnerable to viral diseases and the world's
weak link.

18. Introducing Tetracyclines
Tetracyclines are old cheap antibiotic group and have been used
extensively in the prophylaxis and treatment of human and animal
infections with these characteristics:
 Doxycycline for Malaria Chemoprophylaxis or in combination
with Chloroquine
 Tetracycline causes a marked decrease in iron absorption
 Tetracyclines chelate iron
 Tetracycline Treatment Retards the Onset of Diabetes
 Both clinical and animal experimental studies have revealed that
tetracyclines decrease serum inflammatory markers and
cytokines, as well as MMP in arteriosclerotic diseases
 Doxycycline to Protect Heart Muscle After Heart Attacks

19. As a Prophylactic Measure?
Since Tetracycline is an antiviral & iron chelator and has
been used in the past to prevent disease successfully in the
past with both animals and humans
Why not use it now, at least in high risk areas or populations
such as hospitals or health workers & essential work forces?
If Tetracycline reduces infections in those groups : excellent.
If not, well there is the possible boost in morale and the
Placebo effect.

20. Conclusion
 The spread and severity of Covid-19 appears to be linked to
the availability of iron
 If true, no country or medical organization has including this
in their strategy to thwart this virus. Which is
understandable since the majority of research done in the
last 10 years in unknown.
 It is very hard to believe that the multiple links to iron could
be sheer coincidence.
 It might not be a bad idea to study the utilization of
Tetracyclines and other iron chelaters for this virus and the
metabolic syndrome which must be combined with reducing
iron intake to have any real impact.

21. Acknowledgements
This author would like to thank everyone at the Ecole des Mines of Saint
Etienne From Helmut Klocker to Alexander Dolgui who encouraged me over
the years and especially the members of the Bio-Electronic Lab BEL in
Gardanne and their director Rod O'Connor who invited me to video a
conference on 03/04/2020 which helped produce this more user friendly
version.
In Addition, the managers and engineers at PSA who acted as my advisors
and sounding boards: Philippe Becher, Yann Delecombel, Sebastien Wattelet,
Corrine Ferry, Laetitia Lacombe, Jean-Philippe Carrara
And a big thank you to all my colleagues at Atout Savoir.
Chris Yukna

22. Recommended Reading
Liaisons dangereuses' between iron and antibiotics
 Serum Ferritin Is Associated with Metabolic Syndrome
BOOKS

23. Earlier Work:
Why is Mars Dry?
Plasma Water Theory
The Original Water Cycle
Dinosaur Epoch
Zebra Mussels &
The collapse of Fishing
About the author:
Chris Yukna was born in the
antediluvian 50s, had a paper route
at 9, sold Christmas cards door to
door at 11, and washed dishes at
14. All these enriching work
experiences convinced him early
on that he was totally unsuited to
working and therefore should
become a space cadet, mad
scientist, or teacher.
He has three websites that he tries
to update periodically:
Science General (fun with science)
Business Emporium (Esl business
lessons & quizzes)
Totally Unorthodox
Researchgate
LinkedIn