HIV TEST FOR VACCINE

A new HIV antibody discovered by scientists in the US the gives scientists hope for an HIV vaccine.

In the present, the best that can be done to prevent HIV is the practice of safe sex, careful handling of bodily fluids, and taking a regular HIV antibody test to ensure the lack of infection. A recent discovery of a new HIV antibody that can attack and even neutralize the HIV virus may change all that.

Recently, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease Viral Research Center found a new HIV antibody that can attack the HIV virus in 40% of its strains and variations. While this is not a total solution, it certainly helps

According to Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, “It’s an important step in the right direction of adding a degree of precision to vaccine development, but there’s no way to tell when a vaccine could happen.”

This HIV antibody test has led in the discovery of a possible niche offered by a weak region inside the virus that could be attacked. The next step for researchers would be to put the new HIV antibody in vaccine form and test it on animals by attempting to infect them with the HIV virus after receiving the vaccine.

This breakthrough is not meant for treatment of those who already have the HIV virus. However, it could be a huge step in the fight to prevent HIV infections.

Image Credit: