Posted on 11/05/2001 3:05:54 PM PST by Neuromancer
New strain of HIV is resistant to main drug
By Steve Connor Science Editor
06 November 2001
A new type of Aids virus can quickly turn resistant to one of the most effective drugs used to treat the disease. Scientists discovered the new strain among 603 HIV-positive patients who were so recently infected they had not yet even been given drugs. Their findings suggest the much-feared increase in drug-resistant forms of HIV is beginning to take root with a strain that has an in-built capacity to resist treatment with AZT, the principal anti-Aids treatment.
Although drug-resistant strains of HIV were discovered in 1992 they were almost invariably found in patients having treatment with one or more anti-viral drugs. While drug resistance has been seen in HIV-infected patients before, it has seldom been seen in untreated patients.
The latest strain was evidently transmitted among people who have never been exposed to AZT, suggesting that drug resistance is spreading rapidly within HIV-positive people who may not even know they are infected.
The latest study, in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found several genetic mutations in the new strain of HIV made the virus perfectly poised for further mutations that conferred full AZT-resistance. Dr Garcia-Lerma said doctors would test patients for this new strain and report its prevalence so the general rise in drug-resistance could be monitored.
If such strains become widespread, that will be a severe setback in Aids treatment.
Or in some cases, not to practice at all! :-]
I'm sure some suvive a long time without the meds 'cause they change their habits and eat well and exercise. However, habits and lifestyles are hard to change and Gay men are often very very promiscuous; not politically correct but fact; thus increasing their exposure. Coupled with the an already weakened immune system it is no mystery why their HIV rate is so high.
Stool is immuno-compromising? Cite?
Now that skinny bit of rubber stops me getting a virus THAT WILL KILL ME.
Unreal
Ryan White might argue the point were he still alive - no sarcasm meant, but what about tainted blood transfusions. What about destroyed families (parents, siblings etc).
Risky perp behavior gets what its asking for, but there is collateral fallout as well -
Radical idea.
Up to this point, almost zero.
Unless one counts the recipients of contaminated blood products, of course.
Yes there is. I can remain in my monogamous relationship with my spouse. All we need do now is protect ourselves from contaminated blood products. Since neither of us is a hemophiliac, that shouldn't be difficult.
AIDS is only a risk for IV drug users, the promiscuous, and sexual deviants.
You've never heard of a bowel lesion causing sepsis? Hello?
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(Peter H. Duesberg, 'Inventing the AIDS Virus' BOOK REVIEW - SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN)
In his book [Duesberg] describes a phone call to the Indiana Hemophilia Foundation to inquire about the cause of child hemophiliac Ryan White's death. According to Duesberg his call revealed that "only internal bleeding and hemorrhaging, liver failure, and collapse of other physiological systems were listed."
These conditions," Duesberg writes, "happen to match the classical description of hemophilia; none [are] listed as peculiar to the AIDS condition." But, he continues, "the representative did not seem to know that. It was then acknowledged that White's hemophilia condition was more severe than the average, requiring him to take clotting factor every day near the end. On top of all that, White had taken AZT, the former toxic cancer chemotherapy now prescribed as AIDS treatment. Hemophiliacs, needless to say, are particularly vulnerable to the internal ulcers induced by such chemotherapy. Thus, only media hype transformed White's death from a severe case of hemophilia, exacerbated by AZT, into AIDS."
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Also, go to the following website and search for the phrase The real Ryan White story.
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