About one in ten children infected with HIV have a “monkey-like” immune system that protects them from developing Aids, according to a study in South Africa.
Scientists from Oxford University found 170 children with HIV who had not received any treatment and yet had not developed symptoms associated with Aids.
Despite high levels of the virus in their blood, their immune systems “stayed calm” according to Philip Goulder, a professor of immunology in the department of pediatrics.
By ignoring the virus instead of attacking it the children’s natural defences saved themselves from being wiped out.
Left untreated, HIV kills 60 per cent of children within two and a half years. Professor Goulder said that he did not know why some children were resistant but he