Protective human antibodies target West Nile and related viruses

AI Summary

A study analyzed blood from West Nile virus convalescents in Serbia to identify protective human monoclonal antibodies that could prevent or treat West Nile and related viruses. The virus is transmitted by mosquitoes and can cause severe brain infections, with no current specific antiviral treatment or vaccine.

West Nile virus (WNV) is transmitted by mosquitoes and is increasingly relevant for Europe and worldwide. It can cause severe brain infection and death, yet there is no specific antiviral treatment or approved human vaccine. A collaborative study published in Immunity analyzed blood from WNV convalescents in Serbia to understand antibody immune responses and identify protective human monoclonal antibodies with potential to prevent or treat WNV and related orthoflavivirus infections.