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MEDICAL: DISEASES: ZIKA VIRUS :
MEDICAL: TREATMENT:
Hopes Raised that Zika Virus Could Be Treated in the Womb
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Hopes Raised that Zika Virus Could Be Treated in the Womb
Wednesday November 9 2016
NHS (UK)
http://www.nhs.uk/news/2016/11November/Pages/
Hopes-raised-that-Zika-virus-could-be-treated-in-the-womb.aspx
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A shorter URL for the above link:
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http://tinyurl.com/psu4b4l
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"Scientists say they may have found a way to protect babies in the womb
from the harmful effects of Zika," BBC News reports.
Researchers have had success using antibody therapy to treat mice when
they were still in their mothers' womb.
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There is evidence that Zika virus, which has become widespread in South
America recently, can damage the development of babies in the womb. One of
the most striking birth defects associated with Zika is babies being born
with abnormally small heads and brains (microcephaly).
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The hope is that by treating babies in the womb it may be possible to
prevent, or at least reduce the extent of, birth defects.
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The study involved isolating strains of antibodies (infection-fighting
proteins) from the blood of people who'd recovered from Zika. Scientists
picked the antibodies that were most active against several strains of the
virus. They then tested their effect on pregnant mice infected with Zika.
The mouse foetuses were much more likely to survive if their mothers had
been given antibodies, and there was less evidence of damage to the foetus
or placenta.
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Results in mice cannot tell us whether the treatment will be safe or
effective in humans. So the researchers say the treatment should next be
tested on monkeys, as their pregnancies and reactions to Zika virus are
more similar to humans.
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The need for effective Zika treatments is pressing as a study from earlier
this summer estimated the current epidemic would last for at least three
more years.
Where did the story come from?
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The study was carried out by researchers from Vanderbilt University
Medical Center in Nashville and Washington University School of Medicine
in the US.
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Advice for pregnant women
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Scientists believe there's enough evidence to show Zika virus infection is
a cause of birth defects, including microcephaly.
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Pregnant women are therefore recommended to postpone non-essential travel
to areas with active Zika transmission until after pregnancy.
Discuss your travel plans with your GP, practice nurse or a travel clinic.
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If travel is unavoidable, you should take extra care to avoid being bitten
by mosquitoes.
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Public Health England (PHE) provides regular updates about the current
spread of the disease.
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What kind of research was this?
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This was experimental research carried out on mice in a laboratory.
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snip
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What did the research involve?
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Researchers analysed blood from three people who'd had Zika, and isolated
antibodies that seemed to bind to the Zika virus and inhibit its spread.
They tested the most promising antibody as a treatment for mice infected
with Zika virus, and also on pregnant mice infected with the virus.
They compared results for those given the antibody treatment and those
given an inactive treatment.
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snip
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What were the basic results?
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Mice treated with antibodies on the day after infection all survived for
at least 20 days, while only 40% of untreated mice survived Zika infection
for 20 days.
Later treatment was less successful, but mice treated five days after
infection were still much more likely to survive.
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How did the researchers interpret the results?
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The researchers say they've shown that antibody therapy, either before or
after exposure to Zika virus, "reduced infection in mothers, and in
placental and fetal tissues." Importantly, they say that "the extent to
which these observations in mice translate to humans remains unclear", and
recommend further animal studies in monkeys.
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They say that if these results were positive, antibody treatment could be
developed as a way of treating Zika infection during pregnancy.
Conclusion
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For most people, Zika virus infection causes a mild flu-like illness. But
it can cause serious damage to unborn children, if their mothers catch the
virus while they are pregnant.
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At present, there's no treatment that can help protect these babies
against the effect of the virus, so news that a treatment may be on the
way is welcome.
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However, this research is in the very early stages. Mice and humans react
very differently to Zika virus, and there are important differences in the
structures of mouse and human bodies during pregnancy.
This means we don't know whether this treatment would work in the same
way, or if it would even be safe for humans. Much more work is needed
before this is a viable human treatment.
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For now, the best thing you can do is to try to avoid becoming infected in
the first place especially if you're pregnant.
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Pregnant women are being advised to postpone non-essential travel to areas
with active Zika virus transmission. If you travel to an affected area,
you can reduce your risk of catching the virus by using insect repellent
and wearing loose clothing that covers your arms and legs.
Public Health England (PHE) provides regular updates about the current
spread of the disease.
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The complete article may be read at the URL above.
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Sincerely,
David Dillard
Temple University
(215) 204 - 4584
jwne@xxxxxxxxxx
http://workface.com/e/daviddillard
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