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Yellow Fever Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibody Needed

April 13, 2023 • 11:29 am CDT
U.S. CDC yellow fever endemic South America countries 2023
(Vax-Before-Travel News)

The yellow fever virus (YFV) is a reemerging global health threat in 2023, driven by several factors, including the increased spread of the mosquito vector.

Although protective YFV vaccines exist, recent outbreaks in South America indicate a void in treatment options in countries such as Brazil.

To establish innovative treatment options for patients with severe YFV infection, researchers recently tested 37 YFV-specific neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) isolated from previously vaccinated humans.

They identified two capable of potently neutralizing multiple pathogenic primary YFV isolates.

Using hamster and nonhuman primate models of lethal YFV infection, they demonstrate that a single administration of either potently neutralizing mAbs during acute infection fully controlled viremia.

And it prevented severe disease and death in treated animals.

'Given the potential severity of YFV-induced disease, these results show that these antibodies could effectively save lives and fill a much-needed void in managing YFV cases during outbreaks, wrote these researchers in a Science Translational Medicines article published on March 29, 2023.

In the U.S., the YF-Vax® vaccine is available as of April 13, 2023, at certified clinics and travel pharmacies. 

Furthermore, the International Certificate of Vaccination, known as the yellow card, is required to enter certain countries in 2023.

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