• Tweet

Dr Aaron Motsoaledi

Derek Hanekom

RELATED ARTICLES

• HIV road show targets drivers
• Pregnant with HIV - at 13
• School fined for turning down teen with HIV
• Acupuncturist charged in 16 HIV infections
• US approves new once-a-day pill to treat HIV
• Sexworkers part of national HIV plan

The Centre for the Aids Programme of Research in South Africa consortium, led by Professor Salim Abdool Karim, saw two South African scientists discovering a vulnerability in the virus that enables the body to produce a "broadly neutralising antibody response".

Dr Penny Moore, one of the researchers, was quick to say it was not a vaccine, but rather a "possible pathway to discovering a vaccine".

At a press conference yesterday the latest breakthrough in HIV research by Moore and Professor Lynn Morris was announced.

Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and Science and Technology Minister Derek Hanekom were both in attendance and congratulated the research team on their revolutionary findings.

Karim explained that it had been difficult to make an antibody thus far because of several different strains that the virus has in many parts of the country. "The virus always changes and evolves to fight vaccines," he said.

Moore elaborated: "Most vaccines work by inducing antibodies. So far this has not worked for HIV because its surface is highly variable, which means that it multiplies quickly, unlike a disease like measles."

The study, which began 10 years ago, focused on two South African women infected with HIV. Over a long period it was discovered that the women produced antibodies that can kill a wide range of human immunodeficiency viruses.

"This does not affect the women in any way because the virus got there first," Moore said. However, the antibodies were able to help people not infected with the virus. It is believed a vaccination will be developed in a few years.

Motsoaledi urged people not to see this breakthrough as a reason to live recklessly.

"People must continue to use condoms."

Comments

• Sign in or sign up to comment

Sun May 26 05:03:31 SAST 2013 ::

Oct 23, 2012

!#Sinudeity#!

Good stuff...

But why is there pictures of Hanekom and Motsoaledi on the article? They had nothing to do with the vaccine. The government going to take credit for this?
Report Abuse

Oct 23, 2012

asaowe

Can we have positive views today about our country please, good stuff indeed let us support our scientist cure is around the corner, bt still blive cure has been there 4 ages jst that pharmaceutical companies get rick out of ppl expenses nd lives.
Report Abuse

Oct 23, 2012

oldlady12

asaowe, I have also believed for a long time that the cure is there already, but the pharmaceutical companies won't release it till they made enough money out of the dying first, and till they can get another cash cow.
Report Abuse

Oct 23, 2012

Tpaz!!

"People must continue to use condoms."------tell that to Shawara.
Report Abuse

Oct 23, 2012

mambozana

Thank God, I just hope it really works because this killer disease is taking precious and innocent life. You get infected without knowing because of unfaithful partners. God help those scientist.
Report Abuse

Oct 23, 2012

MommaC

What a magnificent bunch of people we have in our country :)
Report Abuse

Oct 23, 2012

MGEEZ

Dr Penny Moore, one of the researchers, was quick to say it was not a vaccine, but rather a "possible pathway to discovering a vaccine"
=========================================================================

According to the statement above; there is absolutely nothing to shout about here, lest we count our chickens before the eggs are hatched!!!
Report Abuse

Oct 23, 2012

!#Sinudeity#!

MGEEZ - The scientists identified two potent antibodies that could target most of the thousands of strains of HIV. But yeah, like you said, the question is now how to produce these antibodies. Apparently the antibodies are successful in fighting HIV 70% - 80% of the time.
Report Abuse

Oct 23, 2012

Mosquer

Let's hope it works
Report Abuse

Oct 23, 2012

Mellow

I read this and I worry already...for years people have made to believe that there's a cure and kept being irresponsible so hhhmmm

zuma please use condoms!!!
Report Abuse

Read all 163 comments