(Image source: Digital Trends)
BY BRIANA ALTERGOTT
Good news in the fight against HIV. Scientists from Washington University School of Medicine
in St. Louis have discovered that bee venom kills the virus while leaving the body unharmed.
A team of researchers found nanoparticles infused with melittin, the toxin in bee venom,
destroys the protective envelope around the HIV virus while leaving the surrounding cells
intact. According the study, the nanoparticles
don’t harm healthy cells because of the “protective bumpers” around each particle.
According to researchers in the study: “When the nanoparticles come into contact with normal
cells … the particles simply bounce off. HIV … is even smaller than the nanoparticle,
so HIV fits between the bumpers and makes contact with the surface of the nanoparticle,
where the bee toxin awaits.” (Via Washington University in St. Louis)
Bee venom not only kills the HIV virus, but can also help prevent against contracting
it in the first place. The researchers hope to use this new technique
to develop anti-HIV vaginal gel and other treatments to prevent the initial infection.
In the future, this topical gel could be mixed with spermicide to work as a double
whammy against both HIV and pregnancy. Unlike other methods used to prevent HIV
from reproducing, the bee venom technique works to break down the virus’ structure
and wipe it out. Experts believe the idea behind this technique might also knock out
other diseases such as hepatitis B and C. This discovery is yet another success story
in the medical world this week. A baby girl born with HIV in rural Mississippi was pronounced
cured by doctors on March 3 after months of HIV treatment.