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| Date : 7/19/2008 |
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Hour : 7:15:07 PM |
| Resource : AFP |
| Summery : A gene found only in people of African ancestry which evolved to prevent malaria infection now increases the odds of contracting AIDS by up to 40 percent, a new study has found.
The gene does, however, seem to protect against the progression of the disease, allowing those carrying it to live about two years longer.
Around 90 percent of people in Africa carry this genetic variant and it may be responsible for 11 percent of the infections there, the study published Wednesday in Cell Host & Microbe found. |
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"After thousands of years of adaptation, this Duffy variant rose to high frequency because it helped protect against malaria," said co-author Matthew Dolan of the Wilford Hall United States Air Force Medical Center.
"Now, with another global pandemic on the scene, this same variant renders people more susceptible to HIV."
About 68 percent of people infected with HIV live in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to the United Nations.
The US and British researchers who authored the study said sexual behavior and other social factors do not fully explain large discrepancies in HIV prevalence.
"It's well-known that individuals vary in their susceptibility to HIV and that after infection occurs, the disease progresses at variable rates," said co-author Sunil Ahuja of the South Texas Veterans Health Care System.
Read more at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080717/hl_afp/usbritaincanadaafricahealthresearchaids_080717162120;_ylt=AuvMA6yJThLBntvyRm_.pvGJOrgF
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