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donors [will] exhibit one or more bands on a WB)".'* However, ated before the test is introduced into clinical practice. Eleopulos argues that if "non-HIV" antibodies cause "one or more However, despite the WB test being in widespread use and "a protein bands", then why are they not able to cause four or five? stalwart"'® of HIV testing, these data have never been reported by Or all ten? On what basis do experts assert which antibodies are the NRL or any other laboratory. Even without such evidence— "false" and which are "true"? Or, how do the same three bands, since (a) the NRL concedes that cross-reacting antibodies cause caused by "false", non-"HIV" antibodies, become "true" when misleading reactions in the WB in one quarter of healthy accompanied by one extra? On what basis do experts assert there Australians, and (b) unlike Australians, Africans (similar to the are any "true" HIV antibodies? If the Australian traveller were to AIDS risk groups) are exposed to a multitude of infectious agents be tested in the USA, where two or three bands are sufficient to _ producing myriad antibodies, each capable of cross-reactions— diagnose HIV infection, are his antibodies "false" in Australia but "false reactivity" will be much higher in Africa where the WB cri- "true" as his aeroplane touches down in Los Angeles? teria should be the most stringent. If "HIV" antibodies indeed In 1994, one of us (VFT) wrote to the Medical Journal of _ prove that one third of heterosexual adults in certain central and Australia, seeking justification of eastern African countries are infected both the Australian criteria for a posi- with HIV, "life in these countries tive Western blot test and the global must be one endless orgy".” variability 2" The response by Dr | If "HIV" antibodies indeed prove If the proteins used in the HIV mnower her glesion and subse. | tt one third of heterosexual Fie ty exosenos reves quent correspondence failed to pass adults in certain central and and if such a virus induces specific i tal sal ate sanejoumal | gastern African countries are fant vs would never cx put via the offices of Senator Chris infected with HIV, "life in these of HIV. Yet, in addition to the cir- tmanswered, and the widely diferent SOMES WE II29 Gd ous others where antibodies which criteria between Australia and Africa endless orgy”. react with the "HIV-specific" pro- were justified on the basis that, in teins arise where HIV/AIDS experts concede there is no HIV. These include healthy mice injected with '6 or bacterial extracts (V. Colizzi et Africa, "comparatively false reactivity is far less common [than in Australia] so that interpretation criteria to define [true] positivity lymphocytes of similar mice may be less strict".'* However, no scientist can make such a al., personal communication); following the tran: ons of HIV- claim without data. free blood'” or a person's own irradiated blood'*; and 72 out of All antibody tests are subject to the vagaries of cross-reactions, 144 dogs tested at a veterinary clinic in Davis, California, USA.'” and the only way to calculate the incidences of "true" and "false" In addition, antibodies to the microbes which cause the fungal and antibodies is to scrutinise reactions against what the test is pur- mycobacterial diseases affecting 90% of AIDS patients react with portedly meant to measure, that is, against HIV itself. the "HIV-specific" proteins.” '“° HIV isolation is the only "gold standard" by which the speci- This year it was reported that 35% of patients with primary bil- ficity of the antibodies can be determined, and this must be evalu- iary cirrhosis, 39% of patients with other biliary disorders, 29% of infected with HIV, "life in these countries must be one Endnotes (continued) human immunodeficiency virus among male 121. 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Krogsgaard, K., Gluud, C., Pederson, C. et HIV Surveillance Report 14:1-8. RJ. et al. (1984), "Determinants of retrovirus al. (1986), "Widespread use of condoms andlow 125. Samrith, C., "Official HIV and AIDS Case (HTLV-II) antibody and immunodeficiency con- _ prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases in Report", World Health Organization, Phnom ditions in homosexual men", Lancet 2:711-6. Danish non-drug-addict prostitutes", Brit. Med. J. | Penh, Cambodia, 1997. 111. Stevens, C.E., Taylor, P.E., Zang, E.A. et al. 293:1473-1474. 126. McLaws, M.L., Brown, A.R.D., (1986), "Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 119. Philpot, C.R., Harcourt, C., Edwards, J., Cunningham, P.H., Imrie, A.A., Wilcken, B., Ill infection in a cohort of homosexual men in Grealis, A. (1988), "Human immunodeficiency Cooper, D.A. (1989), "Prevalence of maternal New York City", JAMA 255:2167-2172. virus and female prostitutes, Sydney 1985", HIV infection based on anonymous testing of 112. Caceres, C.F., van Griensven, G.J.P. Genitourinary Med. 64:193-7. neonates, Sydney 1989", Med. J. Aust. 153:383- (1994), "Male homosexual transmission of 120. Philpot, C.R., Harcourt, C.L., Edwards, JM. 386. HIV-1", AIDS 8:1051-1061. (1991), "A survey of female prostitutes at risk of 127. Lundberg, G.D. (1988), "Serological diag- 113. Kingsley, L.A., Kaslow, R., Rinaldo, C.R. et HIV infection and other sexually transmissible nosis of human immunodeficiency virus infection al. (1987), "Risk factors for seroconversion to diseases", Genitourinary Med. 67:384-8. by Western blot testing", JAMA 260:674-679. NEXUS - 47 If "HIV" antibodies indeed prove that one third of heterosexual adults in certain central and eastern African countries are endless orgy". AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 1999