Bird flu survivors’ blood may hold key to cure
Antibodies from patients protected infected mice, researchers say
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Updated: 9:06 p.m. ET May 28, 2007

WASHINGTON - Blood donated by four survivors of bird flu seems to harbor a potent protection against the deadly virus.

Scientists have long suspected that culling immune-system molecules from survivors could provide a new therapy for the hard-to-treat H5N1 flu strain. Monday, an international team of researchers reported the first evidence, albeit from tests in mice, that it really may work.

If the research pans out, it could be possible to stockpile these antibodies, the immune system’s search-and-destroy force, as an additional way to treat or even prevent H5N1 in case the worrisome flu strain ever mutates to spark a worldwide epidemic.

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“Obviously we’re interested and excited about this potential,â€