New Epidemic of HIV in Cuba is Twice as Aggressive as Average Virus

By Payton Guion. Researchers are worried after discovering a new strain of HIV in Cuba that progresses to AIDS twice as fast as the average strain of the disease, leaving those infected with a preciously shorter window in which to seek treatment.

The strain – which is actually a mix of three subtypes of human immunodeficiency virus – can progress to AIDS within three years if left untreated, according to reports. The average HIV strain advances to AIDS in six to 10 years.

Mutated HIV viruses are more difficult to diagnose and the rapid nature of the new Cuban strain make it difficult to treat those with HIV before it is too late. Researchers have identified more than 60 strains of HIV type 1 because of mutations. (Read more about the HIV in Cuba being twice as aggressive as the average virus HERE)

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Fast Acting HIV Strain in Cuba Troubles Aids Researchers

By Daniel Chang and Nora Gamez Torres. A strain of HIV that progresses to full-blown AIDS within three years if left untreated has become “epidemic” among newly infected patients in Cuba who reported having unprotected sex with multiple partners, according to a study published last week by international researchers working with patients and doctors in the Caribbean island nation.

The strain of human immunodeficiency virus — a combination of three subtypes of the virus — progresses so fast that researchers at Belgium’s Catholic University of Leuven said they worry patients infected with the mutated virus may not seek antiretroviral therapy until it’s too late.

The finding, published in the medical journal EBioMedicine, raises concerns among U.S. AIDS researchers who worry that mutated HIV viruses are more difficult to diagnose, might eventually become resistant to therapy and could challenge efforts to develop a vaccine.

Hector Bolivar, a physician and infectious-disease specialist with the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, said the HIV research community has long known about the virus’ capacity to mutate and create new versions.

More than 60 strains of HIV type 1 exist in the world because of mutations. (Read more from this story HERE)

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