Scientists say baby born with HIV apparently cured

Scientists say baby born with HIV apparently cured - Yahoo! News

A baby born with the virus that causes AIDS appears to have been cured, scientists announced Sunday, describing the case of a child from Mississippi who's now 2½ and has been off medication for about a year with no signs of infection.

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A doctor gave this baby faster and stronger treatment than is usual, starting a three-drug infusion within 30 hours of birth. That was before tests confirmed the infant was infected and not just at risk from a mother whose HIV wasn't diagnosed until she was in labor.

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Interesting to see if this can be expanded in the future.

That fast action apparently knocked out HIV in the baby's blood before it could form hideouts in the body. Those so-called reservoirs of dormant cells usually rapidly reinfect anyone who stops medication, said Dr. Deborah Persaud of Johns Hopkins Children's Center.

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I wonder what percentage of babies it will be successful. Why couldn't it form hideouts even before birth? This could depend a lot of things. The growth of the baby is how key, how soon after birth must it begin? If it must be done as it was, at least babies get a chance at a cure.

I figure there are millions going into this to get answers pretty quick.

I hope this can be widely administered...

Perhaps finally, Africa can be freed from the scourge of AIDS.

Jetboogieman said:

I hope this can be widely administered...

Perhaps finally, Africa can be freed from the scourge of AIDS.

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If that occurs, the First Annual DP Orgy wont be far off.

Jetboogieman said:

I hope this can be widely administered...

Perhaps finally, Africa can be freed from the scourge of AIDS.

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I'd rather see us be freed from the scourge of Africa.

Maybe Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie can find another continent to sing for.

Yeaah... HIV... the "V" in HIV stands for virus. And viruses are tricky little bastards.

And while yes, this kid may now have a strong enough immune system, well adapted to dealing with HIV, lets not forget that HIV is a virus that can mutate, it is a virus that can go latent and it is a slow reproducing virus that can bid its time until its felt.

I wish the child well, but I remain skeptical of the result. Until someone comes out and says: Yes, we have done it, we've cured HIV completely, that can eliminate it completely and grant immunity to the person who was ailing from it.. we are still just one very small step towards getting there. This is no real comfort for the people who are already suffering.

Rainman05 said:

I wish the child well, but I remain skeptical of the result. Until someone comes out and says: Yes, we have done it, we've cured HIV completely, that can eliminate it completely and grant immunity to the person who was ailing from it.. we are still just one very small step towards getting there. This is no real comfort for the people who are already suffering.

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Personally, I think there is a much more promising route. A mutation in the CCR5 receptor gene renders approximately 10% of Europeans naturally immune to HIV. There have been a few cases of individuals being cured after receiving bone marrow transplants from donors with this genetic mutation.