'Mississippi Baby' Demonstrates That Real Science Is Rarely Settled

Recently, a treatment for HIV that was believed to be one of the most promising breakthroughs ever in the fight against AIDS ran into harsh reality. Back in 2010, a baby girl, now known simply as “Mississippi Baby”, was born. The girl had received no in utero treatment against HIV, despite the fact that her mother was infected with the virus. Following her birth, the girl was given an aggressive regimen of combination antiretroviral therapy for eighteen months. Then, the mother and baby disappeared for five months, during which time the baby stopped receiving any medicine. When they returned, doctors were surprised to learn they could find no evidence of HIV in the child. The unexpected finding led to pronouncements that the baby had effectively been ‘cured’ of the disease. Hopes were high that a powerful new weapon against HIV infection had been discovered. More than two years passed, but still the baby remained virus-free. Despite this, the doctor, who had originally treated the baby at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, maintained an open and skeptical mind. The baby was diligently tested every six to eight weeks. Then recently, without the slightest pre-indication, the virus returned.