Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Choose Your Poison (HIV/WNV)

Individuals lacking the cell surface protein CCR5 are resistant to be infected with HIV but may be at a higher risk of developing West Nile virus. This finding was reported by Dr. Philip M. Murphy, M.D. from NIH in The Journal of Experimental Medicine. CCR5 encourages the movement of immune cells in mice to the brain, thereby protecting the mice from brain inflammation caused by West Nile virus. This has implications for HIV-positive individuals taking experimental CCR5-blockers and are exposed to mosquito bites.

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