显微镜下的艾滋病病毒

法国科学家吕克·蒙塔尼，巴斯德研究院教授，HIV病毒的发现者之一。

法国科学家弗朗索瓦丝·巴尔·西诺西，蒙塔尼的同事，HIV病毒的另一发现者。

How far away from the eradication of AIDS in humans?

First need to state that this is not a scientific prediction, not a corollary, it is only in the AIDS Day, an AIDS treatment and research in the clinical doctors, concerned about this issue to friends to bring the latest progress in AIDS research , and then initiate the expression of some hope of a better future.

 

HIV is found from the first day, people have not stopped finding a cure for AIDS. The first known effective drug for AIDS, since 1987 application zidovudine (AZT or ZDV), after the drugs were found to inhibit a variety of AIDS virus. But there are problems in the use of these drugs is beginning to control HIV, the virus is mutated, and thus immune drugs. It can be that our body is a house often can Kang Zhu thunder and lightning outside, but suddenly came a group of termites, termites are not a group of ordinary, but intelligent termites slowly eating through the tropic of bring down the roof beams way, and always in a drug before the complete elimination of their own produce countermeasures. Very difficult ah, how do? Until the mid-1990s, Ho was invented by Professor-called "cocktail therapy" - highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the mechanism by three different anti-HIV drugs in combination, to find ways the virus the level of suppression to undetectable levels, while allowing the body's immune system gradually recovered. This is like being riddled with termites have once again put up the house a few pillars supporting the roof, while efforts to control the expansion of the number of termites. People used to have this great hope that from this will cure and eliminate AIDS. Can be scientists and doctors soon discovered that, even if the virus has been difficult to detect low to once stop the treatment, will it continue to chew on. This is because HIV is a retrovirus that can integrate their own genetic material into human genes, while the existing antiviral drugs, only for the replication of HIV is, for those who "still" the virus does not effect. Like, there are always some cunning termites hiding in the most hidden corners of the house - where drugs fail, waiting in the wings.

Thus, although treatment by HAART, AIDS patients can live a normal life as healthy people, the virus is still not completely eliminated. We hope that the new drug, but completely cured by drug treatment and the eradication of AIDS, this is still do not see too many possibilities. In the 21st century, AIDS drugs have been developed continuously, but end the same: hope, then disappointment.


 

Since the drug treatment can control rather than cure AIDS, it can change in thinking, for example, reinforcing the roof of the house wall reinforcement, so that termites do not bite the first port to move? The most typical way this idea is the vaccine. Protection of vulnerable populations through immunization, many diseases have been shown to be effective, for example, smallpox has been eradicated. AIDS vaccine research and development time when very hot, almost at home and abroad are gearing up to join the laboratory conditions come. However, the development of the whole situation so far, can only be "bleak" to describe. Each of the existing method of vaccine development in AIDS vaccine research and development failure of all the AIDS virus in the evolution of quite successful, its propagation speed is very fast, very high frequency of mutation, the immune system is extremely easy to escape the siege. Not a weak army, it is too cunning enemy ah! There was a master of foreign Immunology told me that if the basic theory of immunology without major innovation, then an effective AIDS vaccine research and development out of fear is impossible. However, late last year, the U.S. military study of a vaccine study in Thailand found that the protective effect of mild to moderate, becoming the first effective vaccine was considered significant. This protective effect immediately on being questioned because of the different statistical methods are different conclusions. Moreover, this vaccine actually promote the value and the lack of maneuverability. For vaccines, we should have fervent hope, but that hope, is still a dream.

In addition to the vaccine, the other ways to strengthen the roof, there are many. We often refer to the promotion of condom use, is a behavioral precautions. In addition, in recent years Truvada vaginal gel (which can kill the AIDS virus), pre-exposure prevention strategies (PrEP) has also been shown in a particular population can play a preventive role. However, these methods, strategy, limited effect alone, and there are still many obstacles to feasibility.



The eradication of AIDS, really nothing can be done to see it? Pandora opened the box and released a variety of disaster, but hope still remains. The end of 2008 medical journal "Lancet" published an article on the World Health Organization and others, Professor Granich RM article. Their study, using data from South Africa living with HIV, the mathematical model, concluded that, if all patients in the diagnosis of HIV infection, HAART began treatment immediately, then in 10 years, annual global HIV rate of new cases can be decreased by 95% in 50 years, almost destroy HIV! In fact, when HIV infected patients, current HAART drugs, the virus is almost undetectable, the risk of their spread to others almost to 0 (not entirely without risk). The findings in the field of global AIDS and public health set off a huge waves, a large number of supporters, many of the opposition. This model is too idealistic, because it is a high degree of emphasis on "testing the treatment", which is difficult even in developed countries to achieve 100%, while this cost-effectiveness also needs careful consideration. All in all, this is just a model, or a lot of criticism, I am excited is that it opens the door to the world, through a new dawn coming. World Health Organization, is a public health strategy of AIDS to "test the treatment of" tilt.

When will the elimination of AIDS? Now I am afraid that no one can not answer. Drug therapy has its flaws, can not be eradicated. Blocked numerous vaccine development, the prospects dim. Now it seems, may "test the treatment" strategy, in combination with other public health control strategies, is the real way possible.

The author of the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention of STD and AIDS prevention and control center, MD, Shun Tai

Past and Present Century ill

 
 
 
 
 
 
HIV under the microscope
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
French scientist Luc Montagnier, Pasteur Institute, Professor, HIV discoverer of the virus.
 
 
French scientists Francoise 巴尔西诺西, Montagnier colleagues, HIV virus, the other discoverer.