Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1996. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
PR Newswire, 810 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019 - Monday, 18 November 1996.
Dr. Gomperts, a clinical professor of Pediatrics at USC School of Medicine, and his Hemophilia Growth and Development Study at CHLA contributed valuable data to the study published in "Science." The collaborative effort involved many researchers from across the country, led by Dr. Stephen O'Brien and a group at the National Cancer Institute.
Dr. O'Brien and his group discovered that a mutating gene, present in about 10% of the white population, and approximately 1.7% of blacks is associated with resistance to infection by the HIV virus. The normal gene codes for a protein called CKR5 are situated on the surface of immune cells. When denied the presence of CKR5, the development of HIV infection was not observed despite very likely exposure.
When individuals have one normal and one abnormal copy of the gene, they may become infected, but the rate of infection was slowed, and the time of survival was prolonged.
The researchers feel this discovery may provide a major lever against the HIV virus and AIDS.
Dr. Gomperts, a resident of Glendale, earned his degrees from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. He joined the staff at CHLA in 1978 as a resident in the Department of Laboratories, and also as a staff member of the Division of Hematology/Oncology. In addition to his duties at CHLA and USC, Dr. Gomperts is vice president of Medical Affairs and Clinical Development at Baxter-Biotech Hyland Division in Glendale. He has had nearly 90 articles published in peer reviewed journals.
Founded in 1901, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles is a global resource for advanced pediatric care, research and medical education. Each year, the nonprofit 318-bed hospital treats nearly 200,000 patients from newborn to 18 years of age with specialized, multidisciplinary care in pediatric and adolescent medicine. CHLA provides family-centered care, including support services for parents, siblings and other family members.
CHLA also houses an internationally recognized research program and trains pediatric specialists through its affiliation, since 1932, with the University of Southern California School of Medicine.
For seven consecutive years -- 1990 to 1996 -- "U.S. News & World Report" magazine has named Childrens Hospital Los Angeles one of the top five pediatric facilities in the country, and the best in the West.
CONTACT: Steve Rutledge, 213-669-4121/ 14:42 EST
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