In a major breakthrough for AIDS cure, Canadian scientists have finallyfound where the HIV virus hides in the human body to become impervious tomedical treatment.

This breakthrough could pave the way for a total cure of the deadly disease,claim the scientists who carried out the study with researchers from the US. Thecurrent anti-viral treatment for HIV patients can only subdue, not eliminate,the virus as it hides somewhere to lie low and then attack the system again.

Till now, scientists conjectured that the AIDS virus might be hiding in thekidneys or the brain.

But now the Canadian researchers claim that they have discovered the safehavens where the virus hides in the human body. Led by Professor Rafick-PierreSekaly, researchers said they have found that the virus hides in"long-lived" memory cells in the human body.

These memory cells, which have a long life just like the stem cells, lie sleepyin the body most of the time until they encounter a new virus ordisease-causing agents. Like stem cells, these memory cells are also capable ofreplicating themselves. So when the AIDS enters them or attacks them, thesememory cells multiply to defend the body.

But the problem is that the once AIDS virus enters these memory cells, it alsomultiplies with them. Thus, ruring the current intense medication - whichinvolves five to six drugs that can prolong life up to 13 years - for apatient, the AIDS virus retreats into these safe havens to stage an attacklater.

The researchers said they are finding ways to destroy the virus in its safehavens in the memory cells without harming the immune system. Their research isthe "first clue" to eliminating the AIDS virus, said research leaderSekaly Sunday.

There are over 33 million HIV patients worldwide, with 2.7 million more gettinginfected each year.