Doctor: Mississippi HIV breakthrough considered "exciting"

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - It could be a breakthrough in the fight against AIDS. Researchers in Mississippi say they were able to cure a girl born with the HIV virus.

She’s 2 and a half now, and has been off medication for a year, with no signs of infection.

It's the talk of the medical profession, especially here in Indianapolis, where research is being done on the virus at the Indiana University School of Medicine. IU researchers study the virus in adults.

“To have any kind of breakthrough that can reverse infection has to be considered exciting,” said Dr. Elaine Cox, an Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics for Dept. of Pediatrics for Indiana University School of Medicine, and the Medical Director for Infection Prevention at Riley Children’s Hospital. “We have seen such great advancements based on pediatric studies, we’re really hopeful this will be a great advancement.”

Cox has treated children with HIV at Riley for many years.

She says it’s important to keep a perspective on the announcement.

“While we may be really excited about the potential, it really is potential. They’ve described it as proof of concept,” she explained. “It’s important that we wait for more information… We don’t know exactly why they were able to cure this patient. Was it the medication, timing, something specific about this baby?”

Keeping announcement in perspective

32-year-old Lamarques Smith of Indianapolis says he tested positive for HIV five years ago.

Since his diagnosis, Smith has gotten actively involved with the HIV community, now working at the Damien Center in Indianapolis.

“When I heard the word 'cure,' I was, you know, I perked up a little bit,” he said. “We all have been waiting for years to hear the world cure and the word HIV or AIDS used in the same sentence.”

But in the same breath, he explained what else he’s thinking - that he’s hoping people remain cautious.

Many studies yet to do at a national level

Cox explains there are many studies yet to do, now that researchers have found this one potential example, in one baby.

“So right now, we won’t change our practice based on this. But it certainly could change the face of the research landscape, and where we go from here, and what we start looking for, and that’s exciting,” she added.

She says in the future, researchers here could work to determine if this advancement could be relevant for other children, and adults with the virus, as well.