Scientists Take First Step Towards Norovirus Drug

Scientists may have taken the first step towards the development of a norovirus, or winter vomiting bug, therapy through the discovery of a neutralising monoclonal antibody.

A paper published in the Journal of Virology details an investigation involving chimpanzee immune cells which encode for proteins that lock onto and destroy norovirus pathogens.

These samples were converted into immunoglobulins that would be accepted by the human immune system, and researchers performed an experiment to verify their efficacy and safety.

Findings showed that the antibodies were able to prevent virus particles from infecting host cells, and thus prevent establishment of the infection and the consequent symptoms.

Researcher Kim Y. Green said: "We initiated this work because there is presently no virus-specific treatment or vaccine to control the norovirus illness," the American Society for Microbiology reports.

The norovirus, or winter vomiting bug, can cause a high temperature, stomach cramps and dehydration, and is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis in the UK and US.