Dengue fever: New antibody discovery boosts hope for universal dengue vaccine

The cases of dengue fever are on rise globally with an increase in number of people battling severe symptoms.

This has necessitated the development of a universal dengue vaccine that can safeguard people from this deadly infection.

The peculiar thing about dengue is that it is deadlier in case of repeat infection and the chances of developing a life-threatening disease is higher the second time.

Our bodies not only fail to get protection due to earlier infection but also become more susceptible to a deadlier infection; why this happens has been a mystery that scientists have been trying to uncover. In a new research published in Nature Microbiology, researchers identified a particular subgroup of antibodies responsible for dengue’s increased deadliness upon second exposure. This could open the door for development of a universal dengue vaccine that can benefit millions.

People with pre-existing antibodies against dengue are more likely to experience severe symptoms.

These antibodies were thought to enhance the virus's infection of certain immune cells. 

Recent studies found that these antibodies are linked to the severity of the disease.

To understand how these antibodies cause dengue-related issues, scientists created a mouse model that mimics human immune reactions.

In these mice, they discovered that harmful effects of dengue antibodies were linked to specific immune cells in the spleen.

This highlights the role of these antibodies in dengue and has important implications for developing safer vaccines and treatments.l