Antibodies against one hemorrhagic fever virus found to disarm a related virus

(Harvard Medical School) Research conducted in vitro shows two human antibodies made in response to vaccination against one hemorrhagic fever virus can disarm a related virus, for which there is currently no vaccine.The proof-of-principle finding identifies a common molecular chink in the two viruses' armor that renders both vulnerable to the same antibodies.The results set the stage for a single vaccine and other antibody-based treatments that work against multiple viral 'cousins' despite key differences in their genetic makeup.

Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - May 14, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news