2 New HIV Resistant Antibodies Discovered, Vaccine Soon?

Scientists have made a remarkable discovery that may potentially be the key to an AIDS/HIV vaccine. Two antibodies have been identified that are strong enough to resist 90 percent of all HIV strains. Scientists have had difficulty developing any kind of vaccine or cure because the virus rapidly mutates, making it nearly impossible to isolate. There are hundreds of different strains of the virus circulating all around the world. Before this latest discovery, researchers had only uncovered antibodies that fought off about 30-40 percent of all HIV strains.

This latest discovery was found in the blood of an older HIV positive African American man who shows little to no signs of the virus. Researchers often study the blood of people who have the virus but their bodies seem to be fighting off the effects commonly associated with it. Two antibodies were identified in action as they neutralized the virus in action. The virus invades the human body and constantly mutates. These mutations make it possible for the virus to evade the immune system long enough for the virus to do serious damage.

Although this discovery provides preliminary information that will help lead future endeavors down the right road, a viable vaccine is not in the immediate future. The technology is there with the invention of a new molecular division tool. The tool may be useful in creating vaccines or cures for other infectious diseases. Dr. Gary Nabel of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease led the study which has been published in the journal Science.