HIV and ID Observations

On reading this other real news about a single patient and how it may shape the future of HIV vaccine research, I decided to write the following fake news, drawing liberally on many similar stories over the years:

Scientists today reported a discovery that could finally pave the way for an effective AIDS vaccine. In the study, published in the journal Science, they describe a single person who lacks evidence of HIV despite extensive testing using even the most sensitive tests.

Gustav Blinkerhood, a research scientist from the University of Minnesota and the lead author on the paper, was quick to caution that the patient may have tested negative for HIV simply because he doesn’t have it, and never did.

“We cannot find any traces of the virus,” said Blinkerhood about the case. “All the tests are negative.”

Not only was there no direct evidence of HIV — the virus that causes AIDS — the patient also lacked the tell-tale antibodies that are present in someone exposed to HIV who has acquired it.

Blinkerhood’s research team plans further testing of other people who don’t have HIV.  “Our hypothesis is that they will test negative as well,” he said.

Researchers have been stymied for years in their efforts to develop an effective HIV vaccine because the virus changes so darn much, evading the immune system. It is hoped that this study of uninfected people who test negative for the virus will spearhead a new round innovative research.

Dr. Anthony Fauci*, the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, praised the scientific rigor of study yet also stated that the development of an AIDS vaccine remains a major challenge.

“In is important that I comment on all widely publicized HIV research in this way,” said Dr. Fauci. “And that’s what I’m doing right here.”

Dr. Jane Greezley, a Professor of Microbiology at Tufts University, wrote an accompanying editorial in the journal. She agreed with Fauci, adding “I was a reviewer of this paper, and recommended it be accepted for publication, then the editors asked me to write this commentary — maybe they’ll accept my next paper in return.”

The patient, who is entirely healthy and has requested anonymity, is named Charles Gallagher. He lives in Minneapolis at 17 Fairfield Road, and his cell phone number is 292-344-8664.

(*Hey, if I had a big HIV news story, I’d call him too!)

Yes, this should have been posted on April 1. But I was too excited by Infectious Diseases Exotica Day on Physician’s First Watch, sorry.