I doubt Nakalembe was ever HIV-positive

Apr 14, 2007

SIR — I wish to respond to the article “HIV-negative after five positive results” published on April 3. I do agree that nobody can test HIV-negative after a positive test and there hasn’t been any literature so far of someone who has tested HIV-positive turning into “no” infection”.

SIR — I wish to respond to the article “HIV-negative after five positive results” published on April 3. I do agree that nobody can test HIV-negative after a positive test and there hasn’t been any literature so far of someone who has tested HIV-positive turning into “no” infection” as said by Dr Francis Ssali, Research coordinator at Joint Clinic Research Centre.

I would however, want to refute the rest of the article which claimed 16-year-old Ruth Nakalembe was an exception having been born with the virus and tested HIV-positive five times but today tests negative. The article further says she has had two confirmatory tests nullifying the initial positive results.

Furthermore the article concludes that health workers are baffled. If true, this will be the first recorded case in history for HIV to be expelled from the body and probably provide the answer to what the world researchers and doctors are looking for. I find the article not well researched and misleading to the public.

Indeed Nakalembe is an exceptional girl but it is questionable if she ever tested positive five times. She tested for HIV at Reach out Mbuya on May 7, 2004 and the results were negative. As is the case with our system, she was advised to take another test which she did take on August 24, 2004. She was still negative. The Rapid tests for HIV carried out at Reach Out follow the national guidelines.

Alamo Stella-Talisuna
Executive Director Reach Out Mbuya HIV/AIDS Initiative

Ed: Our reporter saw Nakalembe’s treatment book from Mulago Hospital where her mother says she tested HIV-positive before the Mbuya tests. Our story does not state that Nakalembe was born HIV-positive.


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