Doctors' immune systems could yield breakthrough virus treatment, research suggests

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By Olivia Bowthorpe

Paediatricians' repeated exposure to childhood respiratory viruses has enabled researchers to harvest antibodies that could form the basis of new preventive treatments for two common and potentially serious infections.

The antibodies, isolated from healthcare workers' immune cells, are "promising candidates for the development of next-generation immunoprophylactic agents" against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV).