After more than a decade of research, these antibodies are the first of their type to be identified, according to findings by the International Aids Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), published in the journal ‘Science’.
The researchers hope it could lead to more similar antibodies being found, which in turn could aid the hunt for an effective HIV vaccine. The antibodies were isolated from donors in developing countries.
It is widely believed that to prevent HIV infection a vaccine would need to teach the body to produce these powerful antibodies before exposure to the virus. Animal experiments suggest that conceptually such a vaccine would work, the BBC reported.
As the virus continues to kill millions of people every year, the search for a vaccine has been getting setbacks that at the moment only life-saving drugs called antiretrovirals have been made available. In a major blow last year, clinical trials showed that a microbicide gel did not help prevent HIV transmission to women during sex.
Dr Zeda Rosenberg – Chief Executive Officer of the International Partnership for Microbicides said in Kigali in July last year that the different microbicide gels undergoing testing globally may not come that soon.
At the five-day WHO Africa Region conference ending Friday in Kigali, Health Ministers are pondering whether to adopt mass circumcision of males – which is said to cut chances of a man contracting HIV by more than 65%. The Champions of HIV-Free Generation organization led by former Botswana President Festus Mogae, is also campaigning hard for this position.
Rwanda for its part has already started encouraging parents to take their young sons for circumcisions. Government also said last year that the army would be mobilized to kick-start the nation-wide program.