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A team of researchers has identified novel therapeutic monoclonal antibody candidates isolated from Zika-infected patients and new strategies for Zika virus diagnostics. An article published today in the renowned scientific journal Science describes for the first time an in-depth analysis of the human antibody and T cell immune response to the Zika virus infection with important implications for differential diagnostics and for the development of vaccines and new treatments.
The study is the result of an international collaboration with the University of California, Berkeley (US), Public Health England, Porton Down (UK), the Policlinico San Matteo IRCCS, Pavia (IT), the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel (CH), and the Centre for Tropical Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City (VN). The study was partially funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, the European Research Council, the US National Institute of Health and the Italian Ministry of Health.
Zika virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus with homology to Dengue virus. After its introduction into Brazil in 2015, Zika virus has spread rapidly in Latin America and in February 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. While the main route of Zika virus infection is through bites by mosquitos, the virus may also be spread sexually and vertically from mother to child during the first months of pregnancy. Most of the Zika virus infections are asymptomatic or cause only mild symptoms. However, Zika virus infection can lead to congenital birth defects such as microcephaly. As of today, there is no preventive vaccine or specific therapy available.
The study is the result of an international collaboration with the University of California, Berkeley (US), Public Health England, Porton Down (UK), the Policlinico San Matteo IRCCS, Pavia (IT), the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel (CH), and the Centre for Tropical Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City (VN). The study was partially funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, the European Research Council, the US National Institute of Health and the Italian Ministry of Health.
Zika virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus with homology to Dengue virus. After its introduction into Brazil in 2015, Zika virus has spread rapidly in Latin America and in February 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. While the main route of Zika virus infection is through bites by mosquitos, the virus may also be spread sexually and vertically from mother to child during the first months of pregnancy. Most of the Zika virus infections are asymptomatic or cause only mild symptoms. However, Zika virus infection can lead to congenital birth defects such as microcephaly. As of today, there is no preventive vaccine or specific therapy available.
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