Being diagnosed with HIV or Human immunodeficiency virus is considered a death sentence by many. Once contracted, the virus breaks down a patient's immune system leaving them vulnerable to pretty much any disease. The condition worsens over time and leads to the inevitable diagnosis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). To date there is no known cure to the proliferation of this virus in the host, making it very challenging to treat.

Researchers from National Institutes of Health have identified an antibody that can neutralize 98% of HIV strains, a virus that causes AIDS. Called N6, the antibody has proven to be effective against HIV. The virus mutates and adapts so quickly that antibodies fail to keep up, but N6 attaches to the part of the virus and neutralizes it.

The antibody named N6, is reportedly capable of nullifying 98 percent of the known HIV strains, of which 16 of 20 strains were noted to be resistant to other forms of antibodies in the same category as N6.

Antibodies are produced naturally in our body mainly by plasma cells. It is then used by our immunity system to fight pathogens such as the common cold virus. The human immunodeficiency virus latches on to health immunity cells (white blood corpuscles,) causing them to decompose and perish. This leads patients to experience extreme weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, muscle aches/joint pain, skin rash and much more. The N6 antibody prevents this from happening by enveloping specific areas of the virus and neutralises its ability to further affect immunity cells.

Source: dnaindia.com, seeker.com