Dual Human Antibodies Stop Lethal Nipah and Hendra Even After Infection Begins

Dual human antibodies stop lethal Nipah and Hendra even after infection begins

An international research team led by investigators in the Department of Microbiology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has developed the first fully human monoclonal antibody cocktail shown to provide complete protection against lethal Nipah and Hendra virus infection. The protection was seen even when treatment was given after infection had begun.

Nipah and Hendra Viruses: Antibody Cocktail Provides Complete Protection in Hamster Model

Nipah virus—and the closely related Hendra virus—are zoonotic pathogens causing severe respiratory and neurological disease with high mortality rates. Outbreaks are rare but often devastating, with mortality rates ranging from 40 to 75 percent. There are no approved human vaccines or therapeutics for people infected with these viruses. Now, an international research team led by investigators at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has dev…