Science a GoGo's Home Page Forums General Discussion General Science Discussion Forum First Man in the World to become clear of HIV virus

LONDON (Reuters) - A British man claimed on Sunday to be the first person to become clear of the HIV virus, which can lead to AIDS, after earlier testing positive for it.

If true, the case of 25-year-old Andrew Stimpson -- reported in two British newspapers -- could reveal more about the virus and possibly even provide a breakthrough in the search for a cure for HIV/AIDS.

***Thoughts
I'm not impressed, world wide HIV numbers are about 40 million at the present time. With 3 million dying of AIDS every year.
If he really is lucky enough to have some special anti-bodies in his blood that kills HIV. His best bet would be to sell it by the thimble full, and retire rich.

>Reuters: UK Edition, Nov:13th<

I'm confused. Isn't it well documented that quite a few people who were infected never went on to develop AIDS (and in some cases, the virus was no longer detectable in their system)?

What's the difference in this case?

It is confusing. Here we have the single case of a reputable Hospital who clearly state that the man had the HIV virus in his blood, but now only 14 months later,state that he is completely clear.

The fact that he felt unwell, plus the memory of his guilty action(s) would have prompted to go the Hospital in the first place, to tell his story, and be given the HIV virus test(s).
The hospitals reliability should be impeccable, yet I find it strange that inspite of all the Hospitals and clinics around the world, he is the only person to be officialy pronounced 'cured'.
And 'self cured' at that! The hospital can't take any credit for his 'cure' since they gave him no treatment. They just hope they hold "the goose that layed the golden egg".
Personally I would put it the whole case on the back burner, and await corroboration from similar cases. Which taking into the account of the total number of AIDs cases both past and present, there must only be a 100 million to 1 chance that another 'self curing' Aids human will be found.

Kate mentions documented infections of people who never went on to develop AID's. As a layman I would call it an astounding miracle, as a HIV virologist, I would poo poo the whole idea.
There is another minute category, I think.
Those unfortunates who have intimate contact, on a daily basis, with AIDs sufferers, to earn money. And yet never, or have not yet, developed 'full blown' AIDs, that story came out of Africa.
Also what happened to the documented case of the African woman, in a similar position to the above, who was discovered to be immune to AIDs?
Also what is the difference (blood/or physical) between 'full blown' AIDs and 'half blown'?
Not that I expect anyone here to comment upon that
Any Hospital students/friends comments welcome.

To all those who posted on the "mind over matter" topic (excluding jjw004); who's laughing now?
HA HAA!

Personally I am sceptical. There seems to be no proof that we have anything other than a false positive and a very relieved patient filled with exuberance.

I am skeptical.

1) It's true there are a number of people (mostly caucasion) who are - for whatever reason - apparently immune to the virus. But this fellow claims that he is not only immune to it - that he never developed AIDS, BUT ALSO that the virus disappeared from him entirely.

2) Was the initial diagnosis confirmed? In any test like this there is a chance for false positives and false negatives. Did he just get one set of results, think, "Oh, god I have AIDS" then disappear and come back later to discover he was cured from a disease he never had?

3) If this is confirmed, it's great news, but it's not evidence of mind over matter. Lots of people have disease remission for reasons that we don't understand. That's no reason to believe it was due to any spooky happenings.

Mike adds:

Kate mentions documented infections of people who never went on to develop AID's. As a layman I would call it an astounding miracle, as a HIV virologist, I would poo poo the whole idea.

Mike, as a HIV virologist I would look to you for guidance.

The story highlights one important thing about unique unexpected results of any kind in any area of science. The questions start:
?Who confirmed the original diagnosis?? ?Well, if we thought this would happen we would have done more testing and had more consultants.?

I follow your lead. If you are in the knowledge pool then it sounds like poo poo to me too to.
jw

Mike, I think you made a confusing statement there. Better put it straight before any harm's done.

Just to clarify my post...

I hadn't heard the bubonic plague bit before but there's actually quite a bit of stuff around about how your genetic make-up can influence the disease's progression (or not as the case may be).

TFF, I take on board the distinction between "failing to devlop" and "curing". I wonder if this miracle fellow is simply not testing positive due to low load?

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Mike Kremer:
[QB] LONDON (Reuters) - A British man claimed on Sunday to be the first person to become clear of the HIV virus, which can lead to AIDS, after earlier testing positive for it.

UPDATE ON-

"THE FIRST MAN in the WORLD to become CLEAR of HIV VIRUS"

HIV miracle man Andrew Stimpson has begun crucial tests with one of the world's top Aids specialists -in a bid to find a cure.
This week Andrew met Aids expert Professor Jonathan Weber at st Marys Hospital, London, on the first step of research that may lead to beating the killer disease.
Gay sandwich maker, Andrew from Ayrshire, Scotland, said: "He told me the answers may lie in the blood I've given to the Victoria clinic in London when I had two positive tests followed by four negative tests. He's now going to carry out a thorough investigation of these samples.
"Then he might need to run more tests to see if there is something in my immunology which got rid of the virus".
Professor Weber said "The key thing is more investigation of those early tests"
Andrew's case has caused excitement among the 39.4 million HIV sufferers worldwide and baffled medics. When he was first diagnosed with HIV in August 2002, Andrew feared the worst. Having seen an uncle die from Aids, he even began planning suicide. But then in October 2003 came the dramatic U-turn.
And last week after a year long investigation Andrew was told he was definately HIV negative.
He said "I just hope I can find a cure"
(article taken from 'News of the World' Nov:20 '05)