By Collin Myers, Technical Writer/Marketing Assistant
Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have uncovered a potential new cure to HIV.
A study in the current issue of Antiviral Therapy explains, in detail, how a toxin found in the venom of bees has been shown to eliminate HIV virus without harming other cells. The discovery has sparked a wave of optimism amongst researchers and clinicians hoping to achieve an eventual cure against the HIV virus. It is believed that the gel extracted from this toxin can be used as a preventative treatment to destroy the initial infections caused by HIV.
The toxin, known as a melittin, has the ability to rupture the protective envelopes surrounding HIV viruses. For a closer look, see the article found here on the process in which melittin breaks down the virus.
Scientists have also concluded that melittin can also have the same impact on other viruses, including hepatitis B and C, both of which are similar in their makeup and structure to HIV.
The study produced by researchers at Washington University serves as a counterpart to recent headlines that a Mississippi baby born with HIV has been completely cured of infection.
ABI’s virologists are doing their part in the worldwide fight to cure HIV, having manufactured and produced a catalog of over 20 Standard HIV products to assist our research partners. To view our full list of HIV products, visit our new website at http://www.abionline.com/infectious-agent-products/standard-products/.
