HIV / AIDS: perhaps a hope

Researchers are concerned about what could be an early solution against the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). One case of healing in Germany reported in a patient of American origin lot of hope.

AIDS could be cured by genetics? The question may surprise, but it deserves to be asked. A German hospital revealed that a 42-year-old patient was cured of AIDS in Germany after undergoing a bone marrow transplant. If this recovery confirmed, it would be a wonderful discovery for research.

An American 42-year-old, HIV-positive for 10 years and was suffering from leukemia had to resort to a bone marrow transplant to cure his cancer. He later learned that it found no trace of HIV in his body.

For nearly two years, tests performed on this patient are all negative. The team of the Charity Hospital in Berlin, which has made this patient, explained the use of stem cells known for their resistance to the AIDS virus to perform the transplant. Since that operation, HIV has remained undetectable. There is 20 months since the operation took place.

The team of the hematologist Eckhard Thiel does not understand what is happening. She believes in the possibility of healing, but does not exclude that HIV is hidden in the spleen or lymph tissue of the patient. If this recovery was confirmed, it would indicate that gene therapy can treat people with AIDS.

The mutant gene CCR-5 (CC Chemokine receptor motif 5), which has been identified as resistant to HIV, is only present in 1 to 3% of people. The donor marrow chosen by the German doctors carries this genetic mutation that could confer on individuals carrying natural immunity against HIV / AIDS.