A woman from the United States of America is the first woman and third person to be cured from Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). She received a bone marrow transplant from a person who was naturally immune to HIV. This astonishing discovery was reported by researchers on Tuesday.
A presentation was held at the Conference on Retroviruses and opportunistic Infections in Denver. The case of the woman was presented and said to be the first of its kind which involves an umbilical cord. This discovery and new approach will help make treatment available for more people.
The woman has been living free from the virus for the past 14 months without any need to take treatments known as antiretroviral therapy. This is the third person who has been cured with two other males who had received adult stem cells, which are used in bone marrow transplant.
The discovery came when the woman, who also had leukaemia, received cord blood to treat her cancer. The cord blood came from someone who partially match her blood type and not from a close family member or someone from her race or gender. She got blood from her close relative which gave her a boost.
This new development has been significant step in developing a cure for H.I.V, according to researchers.
Source: News24, The New York Times
