http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10022887/

British man claims to have beaten HIV

Hospital says only that patient tested positive in '02,
but is now negative

Updated: 8:15 a.m. ET Nov. 13, 2005

LONDON - A British man claimed on Sunday to be the first
person to become clear of the HIV virus, which can lead to
AIDS, after earlier testing positive for it.

If true, the case of 25-year-old Andrew Stimpson - reported
in two British newspapers - could reveal more about the
virus and possibly even provide a breakthrough in the search
for a cure for HIV/AIDS.

A spokeswoman for Chelsea and Westminster Heathcare Trust in
London confirmed that one of its patients had tested
negative for HIV about 14 months after testing positive in
May 2002.

"He did test positive and then later negative, but in terms
of curing himself, we don't know because he hasn't been back
for further tests," said the spokeswoman.

"We very much want him to return so we can try to find out
what exactly has happened," she added.

There is no known cure for HIV/AIDS, responsible for the
deaths of millions of people and especially virulent in
parts of Africa. Some experts say there are nearly 35
million sufferers around the world.

Scientists cite anecdotal accounts from Africa of people
shaking off HIV but say they have never seen firm evidence.

"I feel truly special and lucky," Stimpson, who is a
sandwich maker, told the News of the World. "All the doctors
have told me it is a medial miracle, that I am clear."

Patrick Dixon, a doctor and HIV expert, told Sky News this
was the first time someone had kicked the virus out of their
body.

"(AIDS) is a hugely significant problem which at moment we
have no cure for," said Dixon.

"It's just possible inside this man's body is a biological
key. If we can find an antibody that he's produced that has
enabled him to kick this virus out, we could in theory find
a way of engineering that antibody and giving it as some
sort of treatment," he said.

The hospital spokeswoman said subsequent DNA checks had
proven there had been no mix-up in the identity of the
patient and the HIV tests, but said she did not know whether
there could have been any other error in the original test.

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