Dr. E. Richard Stiehm, a professor of pediatrics at the Mattel Children’s Hospital at UCLA, researched examples throughout medical history of ways that one disease prevents another.
His findings suggest that genetic, infectious and metabolic influences should be considered when looking for treatments, particularly in regard to HIV/AIDS.
“Clinical observations of disease-versus-disease interactions have led to an understanding of the mechanisms of several diseases,” Stiehm said. “In turn, these observations have led to the development of vaccines, therapeutic antibodies, medications and special diets.”
Detailed in the January 2006 issue of Pediatrics, the official peer-reviewed journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Stiehm’s research illustrated 12 disease pairs, reviewed their therapeutic implications and suggested additional applications.” (UCLA)
