Protective murine and human monoclonal antibodies against eczema vaccinatum.

BACKGROUND Eczema vaccinatum is the most common severe pathology associated with smallpox vaccination (vaccinia virus), occurring at high rates among individuals with a previous history of atopic dermatitis (atopic eczema). METHODS Monoclonal antibodies capable of neutralizing vaccinia virus, anti-H3 and anti-B5, were developed as a potential therapy for treatment of human eczema vaccinatum. RESULTS Using a small animal model of eczema vaccinatum, we demonstrated that both murine and fully human monoclonal antibodies effectively limited eczema vaccinatum disease, foreshortening both the disease kinetics and the severity of the erosive viral skin lesions. CONCLUSIONS These neutralizing antibodies would likely be effective at reducing or eliminating clinical disease in people with eczema vaccinatum or other severe side effects of the smallpox vaccine.