Microbe appears to fight HIV

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2001

Research published in today's issue of The New England Journal of Medicine shows that a harmless microbe is helping AIDS patients fight HIV.

According to the two studies, the microbe -- called GB virus C -- is fighting the human immunodeficiency virus by prolonging life, reducing damage to the immune system and increasing benefits of AIDS drugs. How the microbe helps is not exactly known -- it could be preventing the virus from growing or it could be helping the immune system.

The microbe could also have no effect, showing up as a coincidence in AIDS patients.

Get the Story:
Virus Appears Beneficial for AIDS Patients (The Washington Post 9/6)

Relevant Links:
20 Years of AIDS, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/od/20years.htm

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