The medical world is making strides in the fight against Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), a virus that weakens the immune system by damaging the body’s CD4 immune cells. In recent years, successful treatments have been reported involving bone-marrow transplants and a particular HIV-resistant genetic mutation known as CCR5-delta 32.
The ‘Cure’ for HIV: The Case of the Dusseldorf Patient
An elderly resident from Germany, commonly referred to as the Dusseldorf patient, has become at least the third person who appears to have been “cured” of HIV. Despite discontinuing medication four years prior, he shows no detectable signs of the virus. This outcome was achieved through a bone-marrow transplant from donors possessing a specific HIV-resistant genetic mutation.
Other Successful Treatments For HIV
In 2007 and 2008, a Berlin patient became the first individual to overcome HIV following two stem cell transplants for blood cancer. Physicians identified a donor with the CCR5-delta 32 genetic mutation that renders carriers virtually immune to HIV. Similar outcomes were observed in the case of the London patient in 2019 and an additional two instances in 2022.
The Significance of CCR5-delta 32 Mutation
The CCR5-delta 32 mutation carries significant importance in the management of HIV. This mutation prevents the formation of CCR5 receptors on CD4 cells, which are commonly used by HIV as a doorway. This effectively removes the entry point for the virus. Although the mutation is rare worldwide with only about 1% people having two copies of the mutation and 20% carrying one copy, predominantly those of European descent, it renders individuals almost immune to HIV.
Understanding HIV
HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a virus that assaults the immune system by primarily targeting and damaging the CD4 immune cells. This process weakens the immune system over time and leaves the body susceptible to other diseases and infections. The exchange of bodily fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk mainly spreads the virus. If left untreated, the virus destroys the immune system leading to the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) stage, which can result in death due to various opportunistic infections. Antiretroviral therapy currently manages the disease, suppressing the virus’s replication in the body, and allowing CD4 immune cells to recover.
The Role of Bone Marrow Transplant in HIV treatment
A bone marrow transplant, often referred to as a stem cell transplant, is a procedure that replaces unhealthy bone marrow with healthy cells. The replacement cells can come from the patient’s own body or from a donor. This transplant is used to treat diseases like leukemia, myeloma, lymphoma, and other blood or immune system diseases that affect the bone marrow. Such transplants can be autologous, where the cells are taken from the same person, or allogeneic, where they are taken from a donor.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question
One of the previous year questions asked in UPSC Civil Services Examinations was – “Which of the following diseases can be transmitted from one person to another through tattooing? Chikungunya, Hepatitis B, HIV-AIDS. Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3”. The answer was option (b): 2 and 3 only. Thus, the question underlines the reality that both Hepatitis B and HIV-AIDS can be transmitted through practices like tattooing, which involves potential exchange of blood.
