The Evolution of HIV virus
"Keith Alcorn, senior editor at the HIV information charity NAM, said it had been thought that HIV would increase in virulence as it passed through more and more human hosts.
But the latest study suggested the opposite is actually true.
"What appears to be happening is that by the time HIV passes from one person to another, it has already toned down some of its most pathogenic effects in response to its host's immune system," he said.
"So the virus that is passed on is less 'fit' each time.
"This would suggest that over several generations, HIV could become less harmful to its human hosts." (BBC)
The study suggests that the virus is adapting in not killing its host in order to preserve its chances to propagate.
posted by Dody G. at 4:50 PM
1 Comments:
Yeah that's good news. The most successful viruses are the ones that know when to ease up. What's funny on the other side of the defenses is the the research that we evolve, albeit more slowly, to the tune that scientists think that people whose ancestors survived the Black Death have more immunity to HIV/AIDS.
7:34 PM
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home