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Monoclonal antibody therapy of herpes simplex virus: An opportunity to decrease congenital and perinatal infections
Iara M Backes1,2, David A Leib1, Margaret E Ackerman2
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, United States.
Frontiers in Immunology
|August 26, 2022
Summary
Maternal antibodies significantly reduce the risk of neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections. Antibody therapies, combined with antivirals, may further decrease mortality and long-term health issues in newborns.
Area of Science:
- Virology and Immunology
- Maternal-fetal medicine
- Infectious disease epidemiology
Background:
- The fetal/neonatal period is a critical time for vulnerability to viral infections, including herpes simplex virus (HSV).
- Neonatal HSV (nHSV) infections carry substantial risks of mortality and lifelong neurological complications, even with antiviral treatment.
- Maternal antibodies transferred across the placenta offer crucial protection against infections in newborns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the protective role of maternally derived antibodies against herpes simplex virus (HSV) in neonates.
- To explore the potential of monoclonal antibody therapies in preventing and treating neonatal HSV (nHSV) infections.
- To investigate the combined efficacy of antibody-based interventions and antiviral therapy in reducing nHSV-related morbidity and mortality.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological data on maternal seropositivity and its association with reduced nHSV risk.
- Analysis of existing literature on the efficacy of monoclonal antibody therapies for HSV.
- Exploration of synergistic effects between antibody-based interventions and antiviral treatments.
Main Results:
- Maternal antibodies are associated with a significantly decreased risk of neonatal HSV (nHSV) infection.
- Antibodies neutralize the virus and activate innate immune responses, contributing to protection.
- Evidence suggests monoclonal antibody therapies hold promise for treating or preventing HSV.
Conclusions:
- Maternal antibody transfer is a key protective factor against neonatal HSV (nHSV).
- Monoclonal antibody therapies represent a potential adjunctive strategy to antiviral drugs.
- Combined antibody and antiviral interventions could significantly reduce early-life mortality and long-term neurological morbidity associated with nHSV.
