Rapid Progress to AIDS May Be Genetically Influenced
Fri., Jan. 29, 1999
About AIDS
One of the mysteries of AIDS has been why some people can be exposed repeatedly to HIV and not become infected or, if infected, progress to AIDS unusually slowly, if at all. Research now shows the virus needs a doorway into the target cell, and in some people this protein doorway is not found in abundance or is missing entirely. One such doorway protein is called CCR5, and making it -- or not -- is genetically determined, so some people, perhaps 5%, inherit resistance to disease development or immunity to infection.
Now the National Cancer Institute has found the other side of the coin: why some people speed to AIDS relatively quickly after becoming infected. Some people, perhaps 13% of Caucasians and 7% of African-Americans, inherit from both parents a CCR5 "promoter" gene which results in rapid disease progress -- AIDS within three and a half years after infection, rather than the average 10-12 years -- because they have an over-abundance of doorways for the virus to enter.
When people haven't become infected despite risky behavior, it is usually just luck. They shouldn't assume that they are among the lucky few who inherited immunity. If you look at the percentages, it is 1.5-2.5 times as likely that a person actually inherited accelerated disease potential! If still HIV-negative, one can always change behaviors and stay negative, rather than depend on the roulette wheel of fortune. (for details, see the journal Science, 4 Dec '98) -- Sandy Bartlett, Community Information/Education Coordinator, AIDS Services of Austin
ASA Info Line: 458-AIDS
E-mail: [email protected]
