Scientists isolate A.I.D.S. virus

Press, 24 April 1984, Page 5

Scientists isolate A.I.D.S. virus

NZPA-AP Washington Researchers said yesterday that they have discovered and isolated a virus which they say is likely to be the primary cause of A.1.D.5., the mysterious and deadly disease that destroys the body’s protective immune system. Details of the research, which closely parallels work by French scientists reported last week, were to be released at a news conference held by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Scientists at the National Institute of Health and other institutions also were

to announce that they have devised a system to routinely detect and grow the elusive virus, a big step for future research.

This system of specially cultured human cells provides large quantities of the virus that can be used for detailed analysis, as well as future work on a potential preventive vaccine and treatments for the disease itself, experts say. In addition to yesterday’s announcement, four papers describing the work by Dr Robert Gallo, of the National ; Cancer Institute, and many colleagues will be published this week in the journal, “Science.”