What Makes HIV Such An Impossible Infection To Beat?

Since the first discovery of HIV in the 1980s, there have been many studies and research conducted on the viral infection. Yet despite the advancement in research and technology, there is still no cure for it. Even non-medical individuals who do not know much about HIV are aware that HIV is a permanent condition.

Why is this so? What makes HIV such an impossible infection to cure? Discover the true nature of the viral infection.

The rapid multiplication of HIV cells renders the virus unassailable

The latest results based on new HIV studies were released during the 30th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) earlier this year, shedding a significant light on the reasons why discovering an HIV cure has been impossible so far.

Dr Natalie McMyn from Johns Hopkins University has discovered that the rapid multiplication of HIV cells is the main reason for the persistence of the virus, despite going through antiretroviral therapy. This fundamental mechanism differs significantly from the HIV cells’ ability to infect others.

Her study suggests that while antiretroviral therapy may help to reduce the number of cells that are able to produce viable HIV, the number of virally productive cells remains constant and may even increase over a couple of years.

In the initial stage of antiretroviral therapy, these virally-productive cells remain as a hidden reservoir and cannot be targeted by the treatment, only becoming “visible” when they become activated.

These cells, rather than replicating by infecting other cells, spread by cellular division, which is what makes the virus unassailable despite treatment.

What does this finding mean?

In rare cases, the hidden reservoir of virally-productive cells is not capable of producing new HIV cells. Regardless of the antiretroviral therapy treatment, cellular proliferation is the reason for the hidden reservoir’s survival — cells containing viable HIV multiply, keeping the reservoir large enough. And because the cells are inactive, there is nothing antiretroviral therapy can do to destroy them.

To put it simply, antiretroviral therapy is the way to go to protect healthy cells, keeping the virus controlled. However, when long-lived cells, such as T-cells, are infected, they will continue to be infectious.

Individuals going through antiretroviral therapy suppresses HIV replication. However, at the same time, it is the exact mechanism that makes those cells “evade” the immune response, causing the HIV DNA reservoir to remain undisturbed. Yet, leaving them activated leaves other cells vulnerable to infection.

Hence, until an HIV cure is discovered, researchers will need to find out several things. What makes certain HIV cells latent while others are active? How does HIV affect the expansion and division of infected T-cells?

By discovering the answers to these questions, experts will finally be able to work out a cure for HIV.

Conclusion

Until that day arrives, we will have to rely on current developments, such as practising safe sex by wearing condoms, to prevent the development and transmission of HIV.

Effective suppressing medications, such as HIV pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis, are capable of lowering the risk of infection by at least 99%. Regular STD tests must be conducted, especially if you are sexually active.

Lastly, if you have been confirmed to be HIV-positive, antiretroviral therapy is still the most effective solution to reach undetectable status. It does not cure HIV, but it will help you live an everyday life for a long time.

Elyon Clinic is an STD clinic in Singapore that offers an extensive range of HIV and STD testing and screening. We also provide post-exposure prophylaxis treatment. Should you have any concerns or questions about HIV, do not hesitate to contact us to find out more!