COVID-19 Antibodies May Worsen Dengue Infection in India: Study

New Delhi: A recent study conducted by Indian scientists suggests that COVID-19 antibodies may cross-react with the dengue virus and enhance infection. This phenomenon is known as antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE).

The study, which is yet to undergo peer review, involved the examination of human convalescent plasma samples collected during various COVID-19 waves, as well as monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies produced in response to SARS-CoV-2.

The findings indicate that anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies have the potential to enhance DENV-2 infection in certain cells. This emphasizes the need for further research to fully understand the implications of these interactions on public health, especially in dengue-endemic regions.