Some people seem to have a genetic advantage in suppressing their HIV viral load and progressing more slowly to AIDS, according to a new study published July 19 online by the journal Science.
An international team of researchers from the Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology (CHAVI) identified three gene variants in the DNA of 486 people infected with HIV. They found that patients with specific gene variants in certain immune system cells appear to be much better at controlling the spread of the virus after infection.
"These results not only approximately double our understanding of the factors that influence variation amongst individuals in how they control HIV-1, but also point toward new mechanisms of control," said lead researcher David Goldstein, Ph.D., of Duke University in a press release issued by Duke University.
This was the first genome-wide approach ever used for studying infectious disease. Goldstein says he hopes that it will help “design better treatments and more effective vaccines.”
Beth Benne, RN, is HIV negative, but
the virus has impacted her life. She currently supervises a biannual HIV/AIDS awareness week as
the director of the student health center at Pierce College, a
community commuter school in Woodland Hills, California.
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Overheard in the Women's Forum
"I recently met a guy who is negative. I did tell him about my status and he decided to kiss me anyway (we didn't go further than that). But a day later, he called and said that he actually had a mouth ulcer that time when we kissed and he was very worried. Asked if he can get the virus from me that way. For that moment, I felt so insulted and yet I felt so bad. It was my first time having a contact with a "negative" guy."
