Tapping the advancements of technology in curing illnesses, almost all medicines and methods are being invented. The latest of which is the antibodies being developed by scientists which can help test and detect the dreaded Ebola virus more rapidly than existing tests. This was reported by experts at the American Society for Microbiology Biothreats meeting.
Based on existing tests, the detection of Ebola’s genetic material in blood samples of patients take about a day. Moreover, it requires a special type of laboratory and cannot be conducted in ordinary health facilities. In much simpler examinations, antibodies are tested, and results were obtained as easy as a pregnancy test. Antibodies used for the test are latched proteins that can flag virus particles. After dabbing a blood sample onto a piece of paper, colored lines can be seen after 10 or 15 minutes which can confirm if a virus is present or not. However, according to immunologist Haley DeMers of the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, these tests don’t give accurate results unless the patient has been sick for some time already.
Science News reports that the Ebola virus strongly attaches to the antibodies which makes it easier to track down even with just a few particles obtained. This can greatly help detect the disease before the virus takes over. In their test, they were able to generate anti-bodies in mice samples. They are now in the process of fine-tuning the five most effective combinations.
According to CNN, Ebola is a virus with a high fatality rate, which was first identified in Africa in 1976. The fast-spreading Ebola hemorrhagic fever is an illness caused by one of five different Ebola viruses. The other four strains can cause harm to the health of humans and animals. The fifth virus, Reston virus, can bring about illness in some animals only, but never in humans.
Recently, reports have surfaced that the the ultimate cure for Ebola may have finally been found. Childhood Alzheimer’s, a rare kind of disease, allegedly uses the same protein as Ebola’s. According to experts, this pattern between the two diseases will help determine the behavior, and possibly develop a potent cure for Ebola.
