Scientists identify SARS virus antibodies

BETHESDA, Md., July 3 (UPI) -- U.S.-led scientists have used a mouse model and in vitro assays to identify the first human antibodies that can neutralize various SARS virus strains.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome outbreaks occurred in humans in 2002-2003 and again in 2003-2004, and each was thought to have occurred when the virus jumped from an animal to humans. Therefore, the scientists said, it appears animal virus strains might be capable of triggering a human outbreak.

"This study is important because the viral strain that caused the (2002) outbreak ... probably no longer exists in nature," said Dr. Kanta Subbarao of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. "What we need to prove for any vaccine, therapeutic, antibody, or drug is that it is effective not only against the strain of SARS virus isolated from people, but also against a variety of animal strains, because animals will be a likely source for re-emergence of the SARS virus."

The researchers included scientists from the National Cancer Institute, the U.S. Army and various academic institutions in the United States, Switzerland, and Australia.

The findings appear in the early online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.