A new study has discovered a human antibody that can provide protection to fetus against the mosquito-borne virus, Zika.
The researchers from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and Washington University School of Medicine used human antibody to treat Zika virus during gestation in mice. The process involved the isolation of 29 human monoclonal antibodies from subjects who have recovered from the infection. The antibodies were tested on pregnant laboratory animals following or during the day of infection.
It was discovered that levels of virus significantly declined in both fetus and mother after the introduction of the antibody. An antibody called ZIKV-117 was able to neutralize all the five tested strains of the virus. Female mice that received treatment showed normal and healthy placentas compared to those of the control group. Male mice also showed acquired protection even five days after they got infected with a lethal dose of the virus.
Michael Diamond said, "this is the first antiviral that has been shown to work in pregnancy to protect developing fetuses from Zika virus." He added that "the anti-Zika antibodies can keep the fetus safe from harm by blocking the virus from crossing the placenta."
The findings published in the Journal Nature also revealed that the antibody treatment should be continuous until the needed immunity and protection are established. Diamond and his team aim to provide the vaccination to women living in areas where the virus is endemic throughout their gestation period. They also aim to help pregnant women and their partners to receive protection after being diagnosed with the infection.
After testing the antibody in mice, the researchers will conduct the experiments in primates for a year before human testing. Another vaccine is presently being tested on human subjects although pregnant animals were not used in the course of the experiment.
The Zika virus is usually transmitted through the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The infection can be passed vertically from a mother to her fetus resulting in microcephaly. The use of antibody is part of the efforts of scientists to develop a way to control the Zika virus.