HIV Delta 32 immunity

[Longermonger]

http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/HIV...67_19952.shtml

It sounds like scientists cured a guy of HIV a few years ago with a bone marrow transplant and have been working on gene therapy based on that discovery. Google 'HIV Berlin Patient' to read about it.

What I wasn't aware of is that some white people have this Delta 32 mutation and are naturally immune to HIV. There's even a test for it that I found online. (I'm no rocket surgeon, so don't take my word for it. I might not have that 100% correct.)

Dawn may be about to break on a whole new era in hobbying. I'm crossing my fingers.

Are any of you lucky enough to have the Delta 32 mutated gene? If so, how would that change your hobby?

What if the gene therapy pans out and becomes an all out cure?

[Philhelm]

I don't think it would change much, as there are other "gifts" to be concerned about. Essentially, they will have to find a way to cure viruses in general before STDs become nothing more than an inconvenience.

[vitokc]

You wouln't have to worry about dying, but protection would still be a must. Especially if you're married or in a relationship. There is still some stuff, while not deadly, drug resistant, or just plain miserable that would make life hell.

[Longermonger]

It makes me wonder if there are rare people born with immunity to HIV, HSV2, and HPV.

In any event, if the current gene therapy turns out to be a functional cure how long do you think cures for the other viruses would take? 5 years? 10 years? 15 years? (An HPV vaccine for a few strains already exists.)

[SinsOfTheFlesh]

When hearing of some new breakthrough in the battle against disease, I always remind myself of the medical community's triumphant announcement decades ago that we had conquered all bacterial infections with the discovery of antibiotics. The medical experts at the time were certain that we would soon see the eradication of all bacterial infections - gangrene, pneumonia, ghonorrhea, syphillis, all were soon to become footnotes of history.

Sadly, over the following decades, we have learned how incredibly tenacious and determined our ancient enemy is, and how easily it can adapt itself to new treatments intended to wipe out bacteria and viruses.

Recent discoveries in the fight against HIV are very exciting. A time may be coming soon when the spread of HIV is reduced to small pockets of resistence, and those infected can come to regard the virus as being akin to a chronic but treatable illness. But make no mistake, the HIV virus' capacity for mutation is profound, and the war is far from over. This is a very important discovery though, and the implications are very promising.

[KCQuestor]

There are a number of people who have had HIV for years and never developed any symptoms. Comedian Mike DeStefano has lived with HIV for more than 20 years without any symptoms. He talks in his act about going in for medical tests a couple of times a year so doctors can use his blood and marrow to find out why. No one seems to know.

[bartipero]

They know how to do kidney transplants, too, but I wouldn't want to have to have one.

[KCQuestor]

Crazy coincidence: Mike DeStefano died today from a heart attack. He was 44 years old. Nothing I have seen so far have suggested that the heart attack was a result of his HIV infection.

[Longermonger]

He died of old AIDS. Har har. (He's a comedian, so I'm allowed to make jokes about it.)

Seriously though, I wonder if he donated his body to science. He gave blood samples on a regular basis to be studied. Just think how wonderful it would be if his death brought life to thousands of others with HIV.