
Researchers have discovered in the Netherlands a new strain of HIV that is highly virulent and more harmful to health, according to a study led by researchers at the Institute of Big Data at Oxford University, in the United Kingdom, and published in the journal 'Science'.
As the current coronavirus pandemic has demonstrated, new mutations in viral genetic sequences can have a significant impact on the transmissibility of the virus and the damage it causes. For many years it has been feared that this could occur in the HIV-1 virus, which already affects 38 million people worldwide and has caused 33 million deaths to date, and now this new study has just confirmed it.
Individuals infected with the new “VB variant” (by virulent subtype B) showed significant differences before antiretroviral treatment compared to individuals infected with other HIV variants.
Thus, individuals with the VB variant had a viral load between 35 and 55 times higher. In addition, the rate of decline in CD4 cells (the hallmark of immune system damage caused by HIV) occurred twice as fast in individuals with the VB variant, putting them at risk of developing AIDS much more quickly.
At the same time, individuals with the VB variant also showed a higher risk of transmitting the virus to others.
Respond to treatment
Researchers point out that it is reassuring that, after starting treatment, individuals with the VB variant had a similar immune system recovery and survival as individuals with other variants of HIV. However, they emphasize that since the VB variant causes a more rapid decline in the strength of the immune system, it is essential that individuals are diagnosed early and begin treatment as soon as possible.
Origin of the new strain
Variant VB was first identified in 17 HIV-positive people from the BEEHIVE project, an ongoing study that collects samples from all over Europe and Uganda. Since 15 of these people came from the Netherlands, the researchers analyzed data from a cohort of more than 6,700 HIV-positive people in that country. Thus, another 92 individuals were identified with the variant, from all regions of the Netherlands, bringing the total to 109.
By analyzing patterns of genetic variation between samples, researchers estimate that the VB variant first emerged in the late 1980s and 1990s in the Netherlands. It spread faster than other variants of HIV during the 2000s, but its spread has declined since about 2010. The research team believes that the BV variant arose despite widespread treatment in the Netherlands, not because of it, as effective treatment can suppress transmission.
#news
Here are your recommended items...
Here are your milestones...
Choose a gift to support your favorite creator.
Send appreciation in cash choosing your own custom amount to support the creator.
CustomFeature the author on the homepage for a minimum of 1 day.
$15Send a power-up (Heart Magnet, View Magnet, etc.).
Starting from €2Boost the user's post to reach a custom amount of views guaranteed.
Starting from €5Gift a subscription of any plan to the user.
Starting from €5Send cheers to DR. Marrufo with a custom tip and make their day
More hearts on posts (24 hours)
€22x Stars for 1 hour
€2Reward the user for their content creation by encouraging to make more posts. They receive extra rewards per heart.
€5More views on posts (48 hours)
€10Level up with one level
€10The campaign will be active until the end date, but your selected goals will be achieved within the delivery timeframe you selected.
Standard duration is 5 days, but you can extend it up to 30 days.
An error has occured. Please contact the Yoors Team.
An error has occurred. Please try again later
I know that this topic is very delicate to touch for some, but I am glad that there is a control for people with this disease
We really have to take great care of ourselves, especially those people who have HIV.
Some, knowing they have it, fall into a state of depression and even evil for wanting to infect others.
But I am glad that many others have the possibility of being able to put themselves in control and have been able to accept this news.
This is quite a rest for the people who are facing it.Nice to inform us about it