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Could this be a possible cure? (farfetched)
#16128 - 03/02/01 07:18 AM
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Would it be possible to rid the body of the HIV infection by hooking up an infected individual to a blood transfusion machine type thing. In one arm, the needle would continuously drain the person's blood. In the other arm, a needle would constantly pump in new uninfected blood. Doesn't it seem sound to say that if this process ran non-stop for about a week or so the HIV infected blood would eventually be diminished by the "clean" blood? You'd also have to take into account that the process was quick enough and efficient enough to prevent the HIV from infecting the new blood. Even if this did occur, wouldn't the infected blood eventually all be drained like filling up a swimming pool while draining the old dirty water? Any thoughts. . .
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JTAnon
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Regular
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Reged: 01/29/01
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Posts: 32
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HIV does not only exist in the bloodstream. It is also resident in tissue,organs, semen, etc. The virus can be virtually brought to undedectable levels in the bloodstream by drug cocktails during treatment yet the virus is still present and the patient still has HIV. Where do you think the virus is during that time? Food for thought.
JTAnon
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Question:
I was just wondering if, by any remote chance, blood transfusions would be a good treatment for HIV or AIDS. If, as the HIV-positive blood recipient, you could get a fresh supply of healthy T-cells from the HIV-negative blood donor, wouldn't that at least prolong your life? Sorry...I have always wondered about this and just thought I'd ask. Ana
Response:
Dear Ana,
It sounds like an attractive idea, but it doesn't work. Here are some of the reasons. A typical blood transfusion is only the red blood cells; CD4 cells (T cells) are a type of white blood cell. 99% of T cells live in the lymph nodes and spleen, the ones in the blood are traveling, or "on patrol" and the number present in a unit of whole blood would be to small to help. Most important, if you get T cells from another person, they will recognize your body as foreign, and attack it, and your body will do the same, and try to reject the invader. This will not only destroy the cells but could make you very sick.
It has been tried between identical twins, where matching is not a problem. To get more cells, bone marrow transplantation has even been tried. Unfortunately, it has not worked so far.
Good question though
ATP
Andrew T. Pavia, M.D.
University of Utah
School of Medicine
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I believe HIV also resides in the brain and spinal fluid which for earlier medications it was a problem to cross the "blood-brain barrier". Hence, a blood transfusion would have limited value. This is my understanding.
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