http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4432564.stm
Doctors urge research on HIV man
Doctors say they want to investigate the case of a British man with
HIV who apparently became clear of the virus.
Two Sunday newspapers report Scotsman Andrew Stimpson, who lives in
London, was diagnosed as HIV-positive in 2002 but found to be clear
in October 2003.
Chelsea and Westminster Healthcare NHS Trust, which carried out the
tests, has asked him to undergo more. Mr Stimpson did not take any
medication for HIV.
HIV experts say his case could help to reveal more about the disease.
A statement from the trust said: "We regret this has been a
distressing time for Mr Stimpson and are happy to discuss any aspect
of his care with him.
"This is a rare and complex case. When we became aware of Mr
Stimpson's HIV negative test results we offered him further tests to
help us investigate and find an explanation for the different results.
"So far Mr Stimpson has declined this offer. It is therefore
difficult for us to comment any further."
A trust spokeswoman added: "We urge him, for the sake of himself and
the HIV community, to come in and get tested.
"If he doesn't feel that he can come to Chelsea and Westminster then
he should please go to another HIV specialist."
'Miracle'
There have been anecdotal accounts before from Africa of people
shaking off the HIV virus, but the evidence in this case, as reported
in the News of the World and the Mail on Sunday, appears to be
conclusive, BBC health correspondent Adam Brimelow said.
Mr Stimpson, who is originally from Largs in Ayrshire, said: "There
are 34.9 million people with HIV globally and I am just one person
who managed to control it, to survive from it and to get rid of it
from my body.
"For me that is unbelievable - it is a miracle. I think I'm one of
the luckiest people alive."
Mr Stimpson told the newspapers that he became depressed and suicidal
after being told he was HIV-positive but remained well and did not
require medication.
Further tests
Some 14 months later he was offered another test by doctors, which
came back negative.
He sought compensation but has apparently been told there is no case
to answer because there was no fault with the testing procedure.
He has told the papers he would do anything he could to help find a cure.
Aids expert Dr Patrick Dixon, from international Aids group Acet,
said the case was "very, very unusual".
Vaccine clue
"I've come across many anecdotal reports of this kind of thing
happening in Africa, some quite recently, but it's difficult to
verify them," he told BBC News 24.
"You have to be rock-solid sure that both samples came from the same
person, no mix-up in the laboratory, no mistakes in the testing, etc.
"This is the first well-documented case."
He said the case was important because "inside his immune system is
perhaps a key that could allow us to develop some kind of vaccine".
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