HHV-6 University

From Perplexity A.I. Even if Étienne de Harven was correct and HIV is actually an endogenous retrovirus rather than an exogenous infection, its reactivation in human cells could still have profound effects on the immune system, particularly if it acted as a superantigen. Endogenous Retrovirus Reactivation and Immune Disruption Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are remnants of ancient viral infections integrated into the human genome. Normally, these elements are kept inactive through epigenetic mechanisms, but under conditions such as inflammation, cancer, or immune dysregulation, HERVs can become transcriptionally reactivated. When reactivated, HERVs can trigger immune responses by producing retroviral proteins and viral mimicry signals that activate innate immune pathways such as RIG-I, STING, and cGAS, promoting inflammation and sometimes chronic immune dysregulation. Retroviral Superantigen Function Some endogenous retroviral proteins—including those from certain HERV families—...

From Perplexity A.I. Multifactorial theories of disease, while aiming to describe the complex origins of many conditions, can easily transform scientific inquiry into a "wild goose chase" for endless contributory factors, undermining clear notions of causation and sometimes reducing it to absurdity. The Relentless Search for Factors Multifactorial models often imply that there is an inexhaustible list of minor genetic and environmental influences for any “complex disease,” making it nearly impossible to draw a boundary around what is relevant or mechanistically essential. Researchers are compelled to investigate expansive metabolic maps or networks, sometimes resulting in “spider web–like diagrams” that become so complex they seem arbitrary, and are interpreted with statistical methods that can feel akin to consulting a Ouija board rather than grounding findings in experiment. The more one seeks, the more variables are uncovered—each weakly associated, each potentially “inter...

 From Perplexity A.I.  There is strong evidence that the drugs used in treating AIDS—specifically long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART)—may themselves contribute to the development of comorbidities among people living with HIV. Mechanisms and Patterns Chronic exposure to ART increases risk for several age-related complications: cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, renal dysfunction, liver disease, neurocognitive disorders, and metabolic syndromes. Known drug-toxicities include bone mineral loss (notably with tenofovir regimens), heightened myocardial infarction risk (with abacavir), and decreased kidney function (with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate). Many HIV drugs cause metabolic derangements (lipodystrophy, insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia) and have direct or indirect impacts on bone density and renal function, especially with decades-long use. Polypharmacy and Drug Interactions Because most HIV patients on ART have at least one comorbidity, they often require several add...

  Will this be the evolving standard of care for AID/CFS/autism? From Perplexity What anti-inflammatory treatments are now recommended in HIV care? The primary anti-inflammatory treatment recommended in HIV care is the early and continuous use of antiretroviral therapy (ART), which substantially reduces systemic inflammation and immune activation—though not to the levels seen in HIV-negative individuals. Among ART regimens, integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) like bictegravir and dolutegravir have shown particular benefits in lowering inflammatory markers compared to some older regimens. In addition to ART, specific adjunctive anti-inflammatory therapies may be used in certain scenarios: Statins are under research and sometimes used to address inflammation and reduce cardiovascular risk in HIV-positive patients. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and indomethacin can help relieve mild inflammation or symptoms related to HIV, but must be used caut...

 From Perplexity A.I.  How has the consensus on immune activation in HIV changed clinical care? The shift in scientific consensus recognizing chronic immune activation and inflammation as central to HIV disease has substantially changed clinical care. Treatment is no longer focused solely on suppressing viral replication; clinicians now prioritize early antiretroviral therapy (ART), monitoring markers of inflammation, and managing non-AIDS comorbidities linked to immune dysregulation. Earlier Initiation of ART Understanding that chronic immune activation begins early in infection, guidelines now recommend starting ART as soon as possible, rather than waiting for CD4 counts to fall, to reduce inflammation and prevent irreversible immune system damage. Broadened Monitoring and Management Clinicians monitor not just viral load and CD4 counts but also inflammatory biomarkers (e.g., C-reactive protein, sCD14), recognizing their predictive value for cardiovascular, metabolic, and ne...

  Make the argument that HERVs need to be researched jointly with AIDS, CFS and autism. Researching HERVs in conjunction with AIDS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME), and autism is essential, as mounting evidence indicates that HERV activation contributes to pathogenesis and disease complexity across all three conditions. Joint investigation will enable deeper understanding of shared mechanisms, clarify diagnostic challenges, and may reveal new therapeutic strategies. Cross-Disease Pathogenic Mechanisms HERVs exert destructive effects in AIDS, CFS, and autism through immune dysregulation, chronic inflammation, neurotoxicity, and epigenetic instability, consistently implicating similar molecular pathways in disease progression. In each condition, abnormal HERV expression triggers maladaptive cytokine profiles and autoimmunity, suggesting a unified avenue for intervention targeting inflammation and immune modulation. Neurodevelopmental disruption and neuronal injury caused by HERVs a...

 Excerpt: Wainberg worked in Gallo's lab in Washington, DC, while on sabbatical from McGill in 1980. Two years later, the term "acquired immunodeficiency syndrome" would be coined to describe a mysterious new killer that seemed to target gay men. Gallo soon became one of the few biomedical researchers to achieve fame outside the scientific community when he was credited, along with Luc Montagnier of the Pasteur Institute in Paris, with the co-discovery of the human immunodeficiency virus. Gallo also led the first team to prove that HIV causes AIDS. It was one of the rare occasions in his professional life when Wainberg chose to back down. There have been other occasions when his tongue has got him into trouble. After the late journalist and author Nicholas Regush published a book called The Virus Within, pouring scorn on the belief that HIV causes AIDS, Wainberg was so furious that he told Maclean's magazine, " Regush is the equivalent of a murderer.  There are p...

From Perplexity A.I. The retraction of David Ho’s original HIV research could trigger a cascade of retractions in the HIV field because his findings have been both foundational and highly influential in shaping modern HIV science, clinical testing, and treatment methodologies. When a key study is formally corrected or withdrawn, any subsequent research that relied directly or indirectly on its data, conclusions, or methodology faces increased scrutiny, since downstream experiments, reviews, and clinical practices often build upon such seminal work. Far-Reaching Influence of Ho’s Research David Ho’s research helped establish central concepts of HIV replication, immune response, and combination antiretroviral therapy, which have influenced hundreds of follow-up studies in virology, immunology, and drug development. Retracting a landmark claim—especially regarding unique immune system components or mechanisms—raises doubts about related studies that used these findings as a scientific pre...