The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation celebrates the second possible case of an infant “cured” of HIV. EGPAF has supported programs in an effort to end pediatric HIV for more than 25 years. This latest breakthrough, led in part by the Elizabeth Glaser Science Award recipient Deborah Persaud, M.D., gives hops that an AIDS-free generation is possible within this lifetime.

About two years ago, an infant in the state of Mississippi was reported to have been functionally cured. A functional cure means that there is no sign of HIV even after treatment is stopped. This baby was given treatment within hours of birth. She stopped receiving antiretroviral therapy at 18 months of age and is now three years old.

In Long Beach, CA, another baby was born to an HIV-positive mother and immediately diagnosed as well. Treatment began less than four hours after she was born. Almost a year later, she shows no signs of the virus. The Long Beach Baby remains on treatment.

To know for sure if the Long Beach Baby has truly been functionally cured of HIV, treatment would need to be suspended to see if the virus comes back. A clinical trial to replicate these results in 50 states is set to begin in three months.