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Timothy Ray Brown is a fortunate man with an incredible story. In 1995, he was diagnosed with the deadly HIV virus, but, after a series of operations, Mr Brown was able to say these historic words. “I’m cured of HIV. I had HIV but I don’t anymore,”
Ironically enough, the condition Mr. Brown was more concerned about was his Leukaemia. The treatment he undertook for it was described as aggressive. It involved chemotherapy to destroyed the majority of his immune cells, then total body irradiation. Finally, he had to endure a risky bone marrow stem-cell transplant that nearly a third of patients don’t survive. But, at the end of it all, Timothy Ray Brown was cured of HIV.
Scientists say that Mr. Brown received stem cells from a donor who was immune to HIV. They also went on to elaborate that about one percent of Caucasians are immune to HIV. Some researchers believe that he immunity gene is a remnant of the Great Plague. Saying that people who survived the plague passed their immunity down and their heirs have it today. I am not sure how the Great Plague ties in with HIV but I'm not complaining, regardless of the details, this is cause for great joy.
While scientists still agree that a universal cure is not yet within grasp, but Dr. Jay Levy, who co-discovered the HIV virus says this case has opened the door for “cure research,” which is now gaining more attention. The treatment, despite how promising it is, is still far from being out as an option for the public. Professor Andrew Sewell, suggested that this operation might be an option for few as it would be very expensive, a matched donor would have to be found, and the operation itself is severe and painful.
While this is nowhere near perfect, while so much more research is left to be done. We can clearly see that there is reason for hope. This case shows people all around the world that there is reason to hang on. Millions die from HIV each year, but one man was saved. One man can live to tell his children, his grandchild, his nieces or his nephews that he once had HIV, but has it no more.
Here are the links to different articles I used as source. Happy Readings :)
http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2011/05/16/apparent-immunity-gene-cures-bay-area-man-of-aids/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7726118.stm
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/14/hiv-cure-berlin-patient_n_796521.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27683001/ns/health-aids/t/marrow-transplant-may-have-cured-mans-aids/
http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2010/12/man-officially-cured-of-hiv/
