Possible treatment for dangerous Hendra virus

William Atkins
Friday, 30 October 2009 18:55

Science - Health

CSIRO scientist Deborah Middleton led the Australian team at the CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory in Geelong, Victoria, Australia.

Dr. Middleton states, “Our research clearly suggests that an effective treatment for Hendra virus infections in humans should be possible, given the very strong cross-reactive activity this antibody has against Hendra virus.”

Hendra virus was first identified in 1994 by Australian scientists. It is widely spread from flying foxes, to horses, and then to humans.

People often are infected when they come in contact with the blood or mucus of infected horses.

According to the PLOS paper that summarizes the study, “Nipah virus is a broadly tropic and highly pathogenic zoonotic paramyxovirus in the genus Henipavirus whose natural reservoirs are several species of Pteropus fruit bats. Nipah virus has repeatedly caused outbreaks over the past decade associated with a severe and often fatal disease in humans and animals.

Dr. Middleton adds, “As Hendra and Nipah viruses cause severe disease in humans, a successful application of this antibody as a post-exposure therapy will likely require early intervention.”

And, “To make clinical use of it against these viruses, it will need to be prepared under proper manufacturing guidelines, carefully evaluated again in animal models and safety tested for human use. We hope this demonstration of antiviral activity will lead to some immediate activities to facilitate further development for its use in humans.”