There was some great news recently. A patient has managed to “beat” HIVafter receiving a stem cell transplant. Are we closer to the cure? Previously, others Two patients have managed to “eliminate” the infection of this virusso there is a lot of hope in this treatment.
The scientists point out that the key to achieving these encouraging results lies in the cell mutationcalled CCR5 delta 32. “If that entry door for the virus is not available, resistance to infection is created”said María Salgado, co-author of the study and researcher at the AIDS Research Institute.
Who has been cured of HIV
The first cases of which there is a record are: the patient “Berlin” (2008) and the patient “London” (2020). He third patient is known as Germany.
It is known that the patient Germany underwent a transplant to treat acute myeloid leukemiain 2013. After five years of receiving treatment, managed to stabilize and the doctors chose to withdraw the antiviral treatment.
Four years later, they were able to realize that the virus is no longer detected in the tissues or blood of the Germany patient. The researchers have published all the research results in the journal Nature Medicine; where they point out that no trace of the virus.
When will there be a cure for HIV?
Stem cell transplantation to treat HIV: closer to a cure? Photo: iStock
The doctors have hope in the results they have obtained; however “A lot of work is being done in this field, learning to try to find an application that can serve patients”says Salgado.
Its objective is not curing HIV through stem cell transplantssince it is a high risk treatment used in patients with severe hematologic disease. Rather seeks to replicate the results without the need to resort to transplantation.
What measures should be taken by a mother who is HIV positive?
Stem cell transplantation to treat HIV: closer to a cure? Photo: iStock
if a mother is hiv positivethere are several steps you can take to protect both your own health and that of your children:
Taking antiretroviral drugs: If the mother is receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART), HIV is less likely to be transmitted to the fetus during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding.
Control prenatal: It is important that the mother receive adequate antenatal care and have regular HIV tests during pregnancy to ensure that the virus is under control and to identify any possible complications early.
Delivery by cesarean section: If the mother has a high viral load (a high amount of virus in her blood), a cesarean delivery may be recommended instead of a vaginal delivery to reduce the risk of transmission.
formula feeding: If possible, it is recommended that the mother feed her baby formula instead of breastfeeding. Breast milk can contain the virus, increasing the risk of transmission.
screening tests: It is important that the baby be tested for HIV after birth to detect any possible infection early.
In addition, the mother should continue to practice the safe sex and take steps to prevent HIV transmission to their sexual partners. It can also be helpful to join support groups for people with HIV to get information and emotional support.
What are the risks of stem cell transplantation?
He stem cell transplant it’s a medical procedure used to treat various diseases of the blood system and of the immune system. However, like any medical procedurethere are some risks associated with stem cell transplantation, some of which include:
Allergic or rejection reactions: The recipient’s immune system may reject the transplanted cells or have an allergic reaction to the transplanted cells, which can lead to widespread and life-threatening inflammation.
infections: Patients who receive a stem cell transplant are at increased risk of infection due to suppression of the immune system to prevent transplant rejection.
Side effects of chemotherapy or radiation therapy: Before stem cell transplantation, patients often receive chemotherapy or radiation therapy to destroy existing immune system cells. These treatments can have side effects such as nausea, vomiting, hair loss, fatigue, and damage to other organs.
Damage to other organs: Stem cell transplantation can affect other organs, such as the liver, kidneys and lungs, especially if high doses of drugs are given before the transplant, notes the American Cancer Society.
long-term complications: After stem cell transplantation, the patient may develop long-term complications, such as autoimmune diseases, heart problems, or liver disease.
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Although the stem cell transplant can be an option effective treatment For certain diseases, it is important that patients understand the risks associated with the procedure and work with your medical team to minimize these risks and maximize potential benefits. For now, there seems to be hope in medical matters for the HIV patients.