An antibody that protects from dengue virus is also effective against Zika, a study has found, paving the way for new drugs to prevent the infection that causes babies to be born with serious birth defects. Brazil and other areas hardest hit by the Zika virus are also home to dengue virus, which is spread by the same mosquito species. Antibodies remain in the bloodstream for weeks, so one or a few doses of an antibody-based drug given over the course of a woman's pregnancy potentially could protect her foetus from Zika, with the added benefit of protecting her from both Zika and dengue disease, the researchers said.
Dengue causes high fever, severe headaches, and joint and muscle pain in children and adults but does not directly harm foetuses. "We found that this antibody not only neutralises the dengue virus but, in mice, protects both adults and foetuses from Zika disease," said a…
