Koch's postulates and the etiology of AIDS: an historical perspective.

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1994. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Koch's postulates and the etiology of AIDS: an historical perspective.

Pubbl Stn Zool Napoli [II]. 1992;14(2):249-69. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/94112166
Harden VA; NIH Historical Office, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda,; MD 20892.

Abstract: This paper examines the debate over the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as the cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) from an historical perspective. The changing criteria for proving the link between putative pathological agents and diseases are discussed, beginning with Robert Koch's research on anthrax in the late nineteenth century. Various versions of 'Koch's postulates' are analyzed in relation to the necessity and sufficiency arguments of logical reasoning. In addition, alterations to Koch's postulates are delineated, specifically those required by the discovery of rickettsiae and viruses in the early twentieth century and by the immunological testing developed after mid-century to demonstrate the links between elusive viral agents and two diseases, hepatitis B and infectious mononucleosis. From this perspective, an examination of the AIDS debate is constructed. Molecular biologist Peter Duesberg's argument that HIV is not the cause of AIDS is analyzed in light of his contention that a version of Koch's postulates has not been satisfied. Additional research findings through 1990 relating to the etiology of AIDS are also noted.

Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*HISTORY/IMMUNOLOGY/ MICROBIOLOGY Anthrax/*HISTORY/IMMUNOLOGY/MICROBIOLOGY Germany Hepatitis B/HISTORY/IMMUNOLOGY/MICROBIOLOGY History of Medicine, 19th Cent. History of Medicine, 20th Cent. Human Infectious Mononucleosis/HISTORY/IMMUNOLOGY/MICROBIOLOGY Microbiology/*HISTORY Molecular Biology/HISTORY Virology/*HISTORY HISTORICAL ARTICLE HISTORICAL BIOGRAPHY JOURNAL ARTICLE
940430
M9440868

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