Can you Believe This???

[Solly]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3042893.stm

Researchers have discovered that a small group of Ugandans seem to have natural protection against HIV.

The two dozen or so individuals have not contracted the virus despite having unprotected sex with partners who are HIV positive.

Studying how their immune systems keep the virus at bay could help scientists develop an effective vaccine against Aids.

ANyway, close this but just thought it was a great coincidence!

[Ming]

Since this isn't just another of your racist or bigotted trolls, I'll leave this one open.

[JohnT]

You ok today, Bods?

[Az]

this is nothing new. Around 10% of europeans have total immunity to HIV, as well. IIRC, it's a mutation called Delta-23.

[Monk]

Somebody around here (Ramo? I could be mistaken) once said that if my ancestor survived some sort of plague, I'm HIV-resistant - not immune, I think, but somewhat safer. But I've only saw it on Apolyton.

[Gibsie]

I previously saw on the telly that there are some African prostitutes that are immune to the disease.

[C0ckney]

well lets hope they can get something out of this

[reds4ever]

Originally posted by Gibsie
I previously saw on the telly that there are some African prostitutes that are immune to the disease.

Now thats what I call a good business strategy!

[Az]

Somebody around here (Ramo? I could be mistaken) once said that if my ancestor survived some sort of plague, I'm HIV-resistant - not immune, I think, but somewhat safer. But I've only saw it on Apolyton.

That's the gene. IIRC, it's the "Black Death", and if you have two copies of the mutation that prevents it, you're completely in the clear.

[PLATO]

A decendent of a plague survivor of the 1300's could be HIV immune? This mutation would probably evidence itself in other ways as well, wouldn't you think? It sounds like we have a group of people running around with "super immune" systems.

[C0ckney]

i'm no expert but wouldn't that mean that the plague and HIV are somehow linked?

[Dauphin]

Originally posted by C0ckney
i'm no expert but wouldn't that mean that the plague and HIV are somehow linked?

Only in their methods.

[Az]

HIV is a virus ( du-h! ), and the Plague was a bacteria, IIRC.

but they both attack the immune system, and both did it through the same means.

[Gibsie]

One being a virus and the other a bacterium, I can't see much potential for any significant link...

[Az]

Gibsie, there is.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/secrets/case_plague/clues.html