Scientists Develop New Antibody for Virus That Infects 95% of People

U.S. researchers developed human-compatible antibodies that target two Epstein-Barr virus surface proteins.

They isolated 10 candidate antibodies, and one protected humanized mice from infection.

The work suggests a new way to block EBV entry into B cells and potentially prevent reactivation.

That could matter for patients at higher risk, including transplant recipients, and for diseases linked to EBV such as cancer and multiple sclerosis.