Health
Harmless virus linked to longer life expectancy for HIV-positive men
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted March 22, 2004
Long-term infection with GB virus type C, a bloodborne pathogen not linked to any disease, is associated with a greater survival for men infected with HIV, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine this month.
Scientists have long studied the possible role that this virus may have in the course of HIV infection with mixed results. This is the first study to look at length of infection as playing a role.
Researchers at several academic institutions funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases analyzed blood samples taken five years apart from HIV-infected men. Those who had GBV-C infection in both samples lived the longest with 75% surviving at least 11 years after infection. Only 39% of men who showed no evidence of the virus, and 16%of those who had the virus in the first sample but not the second were still alive after 11 years.
Authors of the paper wrote that a better understanding of this process may lead to better ways to control HIV.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/03/22/hlbf0322.htm.
