‘HIV cure still a long way’

“Such findings remain a research topic. It belongs to the researchers. People in the research set-up could get excited, but it does not excite the people at the clinical part of it, because we know how the HIV virus changes,” said Ongwediva Medi-park Director, Tshali Ithete.Ithete was commenting on findings by federal researchers that came 10 days before the International AIDS Conference in Vienna, Austria. The conference started on July 18 and ended on Friday.

Some of the medical publication websites said researchers have identified a pair of naturally occurring antibodies that are able to kill more than 90 percent of all strains of the AIDS virus, a finding, they say, could lead to the development of new treatment for HIV infections and the production of the first successful vaccine against the virus.The two antibodies were allegedly discovered in the cells of a 60-year-old African-American gay man, known as Donor 45 by the team of researchers, led by scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).Ithete said finding the vaccine for a certain medical condition is a long process that goes through different stages.

Thus researchers are normally cautious whenever they present their findings. He gave an example of some HIV drugs and treatments that were highly publicised, but never saw the light of day, while others never survived the market.“People should remember how Virodene came in quickly and went. It was still at the research level when it became widely spoken about, but it went before it even got to the manufacturers,” said Ithete.Ithete said the only positive result on the development of HIV treatment and prevention is the development of the microbicide gel.He said the gel would be helpful, especially to women that are in abusive relationships. “Femidom came and went – finally vulnerable partners have something that can protect them,” said Ithete.He, however, noted that the gel is not 100 percent safe.

Therefore, people should concentrate on the existing preventative measures such as condoms. On the other hand, Dr Bernhard Haufiku said the microbicide gel is not the answer to HIV infections. According to Haufiku, the vaginal gel will not help much in terms of rape and other sexual violence as they happen unpredictably.“Of course, the gel is one of the prevention measures, but our society has a tendency of relying on new products. Let us stick to the basics. Let us continue with A, B, C and D. If you are HIV-positive take medication (ARVs), as prescribed by the doctor until such time when we, hopefully, find the cure – if it happens to be found during our life- time,” said Haufiku.

Haufiku said even if the anti-HIV microbicide gel is a breakthrough to the development of HIV preventative measures, there is still a long way to go before it enters the market.“It will still get tested and go to the medical authorities, who would see how it can benefit the larger public before it gets approved,” he said.Commenting on the research findings of the antibodies that can allegedly kill 90 percent of HIV strains, Haufiku said the research gives a good prospect for the vaccine and treatment of HIV treatment. However, HIV is a complex disease with complex behaviour. Thus, such findings should not excite the public yet.