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Abstract

A method and device are disclosed for treatment of HIV (Human Immuno-deficiency virus) infections and AIDS. The method consists of separating the blood, in an extracorporeal device, into an infected component and a healthy component. The healthy component including red cells and platelets is returned to the patient. The infected component, consisting of infected plasma with cell-free virus and infected white cells containing replicating virus, is treated with organic solvents. In the preferred embodiment the organic solvent used is diethyl ether. The ether will dissolve the lipid-containing envelope of the cell-free virus and will subsequently kill the virus. The ether will also kill the infected cells containing replicating virus, thus it will stop the maturation and budding of the virus which would otherwise occur at the cell-membrane. Diethyl ether which is highly volatile and has a boiling point of only 34.43.degree. C. is then removed from the treated blood or plasma by distillation under vacuum at temperatures below 56.degree. C. without destroying or damaging the blood factors, complement, antibodies, enzymes, etc. Alternatively the ether or the residual ether is removed by centrifuge and vacuum. The plasma thus made free of viable virus and viable infected cells is then returned to the patient. The treatment cycle is repeated until the entire patient's blood is made substantially free of virus.

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First Claim