Israel isolates key antibody of COVID-19

The Israel Institute of Biological Research has isolated the key COVID-19 antibody. The “monoclonal neutralizing antibody” developed by the institute is reported to neutralize COVID-19 virus inside the infected person.

Highlights

The scientists believe that the antibody can possibly be the antidote that can be used in the treatment of COVID-19. The antibody is called monoclonal as it was isolated from a single recovered cell. The monoclonal antibodies have greater potent values in treating the disease. Till now, the antibodies that have been isolated are polyclonal. Polyclonal is isolating anti bodies from several recovered cells. This is the first time, the antibodies of COVID-19 are isolated from monoclonal antibodies.

Background

Israel so far has 16,246 COVID-19 cases. This includes 235 fatalities and 10,064 recoveries. It was one of the first countries to close international borders.

Antibodies

Antibodies are proteins naturally produced in human bodies in order to respond the foreign particles that invade human bodies. The antibodies are specific to the invader. The concept is used to test COVID-19 as well.

Antibody Test of COVID-19

The antibodies present in blood samples of a person indicate that at some point of time he was exposed to the virus. This concept is used to detect the presence of the virus. India has adopted rapid anti body testing for surveillance purpose. However, it is still using RT-PCR to confirm the virus. The RT-PCR takes 4 to 5 hours to produce results.

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2020