Journal #4: Cured of HIV
Summary:
This article summarizes the event of an important milestone
in Biology: a baby born with HIV is cured of this retrovirus, as well as other "elite-controllers" who were able to control their HIV without the symptoms of AIDS.
 |
| Drug cocktail. |
Personal Response:
My initial response to this was complete amazement, as
learning about HIV has really helped me to take in the full significance of
this news. However, as I read on, it was then I realized it is, like how the
article referred to it, a “functional cure”. The HIV viruses are not completely
eradicated, and it wouldn’t be quite possible anyways as viruses will always
remain in one’s body; it appears that an important part of dealing with this retrovirus i early intervention--which is quite difficult, taking in account the symptoms (or lack of) in the early stages. Also, there is always an unknown in being "cured": whether or not the virus will once again, replicate to devastating amounts when the host's body is under stress--for example, being sick or breaking a bone.
Another interesting aspect to this article is the mentioning of those who bear mutations,such as the antibodies, that help them neutralize then HI viruses without its body undergoing inflammotary response. This also reminded me of the CCR5, a protein on the surface of white blood cell that when mutated, will then be immune to certain strains of HIV. With those who seems to be immune to this deadly virus, the future looks promising--bearing perhaps, a "cure" that will save those living with this stigmatized, lifelong partner.
No comments:
Post a Comment