Topically applied human recombinant monoclonal IgG1 antibody and its Fab and F(ab')2 fragments protect mice from vaginal transmission of HSV-2.

A recombinant human anti-herpes simplex virus monoclonal IgG1, antibody and the corresponding Fab and F(ab')2 fragments were tested for efficacy in preventing vaginal transmission of HSV-2 infection in a well-established mouse model for genital herpes. IgG1, Fab, and F(ab')2 were approximately equally protective; vaginal delivery of 1-5 ng provided approximately 50% protection, and vaginal delivery of 400 ng completely protected mice from genital herpes infection (P < 0.001). These results suggest that topical applications of human monoclonal antibodies may be useful in developing new methods for preventing sexually transmitted disease.