Two antibodies neutralize the virus causing stiffness

The Straits Times on Feb. 16 reported that a group of scientists from Singapore and France discovered two antibodies that could invalidate / disable some chikungunya strains, a possible breakthrough. Help scientists approach the development of chikungunya therapy (causing stiffness to make the back cuffs).

Chikungunya virus

Two monoclonal antibodies developed from single cells can disable some strains of chikungunya in the experimental environment.

Aedes mosquitoes are the agents that cause this disease to spread, affecting up to 1,000 people within two years in Singapore. This disease causes similar symptoms of dengue such as fever, body aches, chills and nausea. Typical symptoms last up to 10 days or even longer before disappearing on their own. There is no specific treatment for this disease.

A group of 12 scientists from Singapore's Immune Network and France's Vivalis bio-medicine company began their study in August 2009 using B cells - white blood cells that act as host latch in immune.

They took these cells from a volunteer infected with chikungunya and enabled them to grow indefinitely, dispersed and asexually. The scientists then used these cells to identify and create antibodies using a special technique of Vivalis.

The authors say the technology is the only way for scientists to be able to identify and produce monoclonal antibodies in humans, which are more effective and have fewer side effects than multidrug drugs. Traditional lines are developed from double cells.

Antibodies work by binding more closely to antigens, external factors enter the body, because they target only certain types of antigens.

The scientists said that the treatment would not be in the form of a vaccine but a passive immunotherapy and could be circulated in the market for about 10 years.