In the battle against common childhood diseases, researchers have looked at an unexpected asset: the blood of pediatricians. This blood contains a treasure trove of potent antibodies that can serve as effective preventive treatments. Shockingly, these antibodies surpass current approved therapies for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and typical cold viruses.

Pediatricians frequently encounter respiratory viruses, making them a potentially underutilized resource in the search for robust antibodies against these pathogens. While existing antibody treatments for RSV protect against some strains, the quest for broader-spectrum options continues.

A collaborative team led by Hui Zai at Chongqing Medical University Children’s Hospital analyzed the blood samples of 10 pediatricians with more than a decade of experience. This led to the identification of 56 exceptionally effective antibodies against RSV within the pediatricians’ immune cells.

Next, researchers engineered versions of these antibodies and conducted laboratory tests, discovering that three specific antibodies demonstrated significant efficacy against various strains of RSV. Remarkably, one of these antibodies also neutralized the human metapneumovirus, a virus closely related to RSV that is a frequent cold culprit but can lead to severe illness in certain children.

Subsequent studies involving mice and rats revealed that injections of these three pediatric-derived antibodies, either alone or in combination, prevented the emergence of symptoms in animals infected with RSV or human metapneumovirus. Notably, the pediatrician-derived antibody exhibited a blocking efficiency up to 25 times greater than existing antibodies called nirsevimab and clethrovimab, while also neutralizing a broader array of strains.

The findings align with pediatric wisdom that suggests medical professionals become more resilient to respiratory viruses as they gain experience. Dr. Trent Calcutt from Port Macquarie Base Hospital, Australia, noted, “After a decade of working with pediatric patients, I’ve seen a marked decline in serious respiratory illnesses in myself.”

Dr. Calcutt views the pediatrician-derived antibody’s potential as promising enough to justify further exploration in human clinical trials, stating, “Given the unusual nature of this intervention, it deserves serious consideration.”

Presently, two primary methods exist to safeguard infants from RSV: administering a maternal vaccine during pregnancy to afford protection post-birth and providing injections of nirsevimab or clethrovimab to neutralize the virus upon infection. However, these treatments are limited to specific RSV strains.

Interestingly, nirsevimab and clethrovimab were developed by screening the blood of adults who have dealt with RSV without being healthcare workers, identifying antibodies generated through natural infection. As of now, there are no approved vaccines or antibody treatments available for human metapneumovirus.