Durban Declaration; Part 3

A 1994 article by Dr. Duesberg states the following (my answers to his comments are in bold).

Dr. Duesberg writes, "The HIV-AIDS hypothesis makes the following testable predictions, none of which has been proved.

AIDS in America would "explode" from the original risk groups via sexual transmission into the general population. Like all other sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS would tend to strike an equal share of both genders.

 In America, AIDS has remained in the original risk groups - male homosexuals, male and female intravenous drug users and recipients of transfusions. Since 1981, 90 percent of all American AIDS patients have been males.

As of 1998 the group with the largest increase in HIV infections is heterosexually active females. The rate of increase of HIV infection and AIDS in the homosexual male population has remained constant over the past several years. This is due to the increased use of condoms during sexual experiences. The rate of HIV infection in people receiving blood and blood products has gone down tremendously. It is interesting that the rate decreased in this group when blood and blood products were being tested for HIV and HIV containing products were eliminated. AIDS is starting to get into the heterosexual population. In fact the number of heterosexual female with AIDS is on the increase.

The epidemics on the various continents of the world also involve different subtypes of HIV viruses. The main subtype of HIV in Africa is able to infect cells associated with the mucous membranes of people that line the vagina and the urethra (the tube that urine comes out of). This subtype is not commonly spread via blood and blood products. Therefore, it is more likely to be spread by heterosexual contact. In America the main subtype of HIV is spread by blood and blood products and is not very commonly spread by heterosexual contact.

Therefore, intravenous drug users and blood product recipients are most likely to be infected. Male homosexuals oftentimes cause damage and bleeding in the colon of their partners and as a result the subtype spread by blood is more likely to be spread in the homosexual male population. The reason heterosexual spread of HIV is not common in America is because of the subtype of HIV that is in the area.

Tune in next week for more comments concerning Dr. Duesberg's arguments.

Take Care and Think Microbiologically!

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