Experts call for more tests on British man who says he has rid himself of AIDS virus

LONDON (AP) _ AIDS experts called for more tests on a British man who claims his body has rid itself of the virus that causes AIDS. <br/><br/>Andrew Stimpson, 25, told two British newspapers that he tested

Monday, November 14th 2005, 11:24 am

By: News On 6

LONDON (AP) _ AIDS experts called for more tests on a British man who claims his body has rid itself of the virus that causes AIDS.

Andrew Stimpson, 25, told two British newspapers that he tested positive for HIV in August 2002, but that tests 14 months later came back negative. He told the Mail on Sunday, ``I can't help wondering if I hold the cure for AIDS.''

Stimpson also was interviewed by News of the World, which said it paid for the story _ a common practice in Britain _ but declined to reveal how much. The Mail on Sunday could not immediately be reached for comment.

The Chelsea and Westminster Healthcare Trust, which conducted Stimpson's HIV tests, confirmed he had had a positive test followed by a negative one, but would not say this meant he was cured. ``This is a rare and complex case,'' the hospital said in a statement. ``When we became aware of Mr. Stimpson's HIV negative test results we offered him further tests to help us investigate and find an explanation for the different results.

``So far Mr. Stimpson has declined this offer.''

Stimpson told the Mail on Sunday he was happy to submit to further tests.

``This appears to be a highly unusual case and without further tests it really is impossible to draw any conclusions for people living with HIV,'' said Deborah Jack, chief executive of the National AIDS Trust.