A new therapy, harnessing the power of human antibodies, has eliminated an HIV-like virus from the bodies of two monkeys, in just two weeks, scientists have revealed. Monkeys are not susceptible to HIV, so researchers had to create a virus that was part HIV, part simian immunodeficiency virus – the HIV equivalent that infects monkeys.
The infant rhesus macaques were given the treatment within 24 hours of being exposed to SHIV – the hybrid virus, that bears the HIV envelope protein. Tests performed two weeks later revealed they were completely cleared of the virus, scientists at the Oregon National Primate Research Center said. They hailed their findings a ‘significant development’ in the HIV scientific community, raising hopes of a new treatment which could save thousands of lives. READ MORE
