HIV Reemerges in “Cured” Child

A US-born toddler who, it had been hoped, had been cured of HIV after receiving antiretroviral treatment within hours of birth is, sadly, still infected. Tests had found no detectable levels of the virus in her blood as recently as March, despite the fact that she had not received treatment for nearly two years. Earlier this month, however, the four-year-old had a positive result. The news of the failed cure comes as a blow to the research community and indeed society at large. More… Discuss

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ARTICLE: EARLY ANTIRETROVIRAL INTERVENTION HAS SECOND SUCCESS

Early Antiretroviral Intervention Has Second Success

A second baby may have been cured of HIV as a result of early, intensive antiretroviral drug therapy. One year ago, doctors reported the case of a baby who was believed to have been cured of HIV following aggressive antiretroviral therapy begun when she was just a day old. Now, doctors are reporting similar success with a second child. She was administered her first antiretroviral drugs just four hours after birth and, though she remains on a cocktail of these drugs to this day, doctors are optimistic that the lack of detectable HIV in her blood indicates that her infection is at the very least in remission if not cured. More… Discuss