AIDS: THE LOST VOICES

Written By Will Hampson
 

In April 1959, David Carr, a 25-year-old man from Manchester, was admitted to Manchester Royal Infirmary with an undiagnosed illness that baffled a team of three doctors and several specialists. Over the course of his twenty-week stay, his condition deteriorated alarmingly, culminating in his death at the end of September 1959.

Writing for The Lancet in 1960, the medical team postulated that Carr's immune system had been compromised, displaying symptoms indicative of an AIDS-related illness—though this was unrecognised at the time. A post-mortem examination later revealed pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, a well-known AIDS-related complication. It wasn't until the late 1980s, with advancements in testing, that samples from Carr's case were confirmed to contain HIV, retroactively designating him as the world’s first AIDS patient.

However, despite the symptoms he displayed, the tests seemed not to be all that they were claimed to be, raising suspicions among medical professionals. It took a professor and his team in the United States to raise the alarm, ultimately determining that there was no clinical evidence to support the assertion that David Carr was infected with HIV/AIDS.

 

Click to Read (Opens in New Window)

 

Dr. David Ho

Dr David Ho is a prominent AIDS researcher, physician, and virologist known for his significant contributions to the understanding and treatment of HIV infection. He pioneered combination anti-retroviral therapy, a groundbreaking approach that transformed HIV from a terminal illness into a manageable chronic disease. This innovative strategy has had a profound impact on the lives of countless individuals living with the virus. Additionally, Dr Ho played a critical role in addressing concerns surrounding the David Carr tissue samples, which were incorrectly suggested to be HIV positive. His thorough investigation ensured that David Carr was not misidentified as the earliest AIDS patient, thereby clarifying important historical inaccuracies in the narrative surrounding the epidemic.

David Carr was born in Manchester at the start of 1934, the only child of proud parents Herbert David Carr and Agnes McKenna, who had wed in the winter of 1932. A handsome young man, he garnered considerable attention from his female classmates and demonstrated a notable prowess in sports, playing for the local estate football team ‘Central Rovers’. Following his national service in the Merchant Navy, David returned home in 1957 and worked as a linotype operator for former Manchester newspaper. In 1959, he became engaged to a young woman named Ethel, with plans to marry in 1960, marking the beginning of a promising new chapter in his life.

Unfortunately for David, he had noticed himself falling ill and admitted himself to Manchester Royal Infirmary on the 8th April 1959. Doctors were baffled as to what was wrong with him, but it was clear he was incredibly unwell, deteriorating further as the weeks went on. Despite their efforts, his condition worsened, and he sadly passed away on the 31st August 1959. David was survived by his parents and his fiancée, Ethel, leaving behind a profound sense of loss and unanswered questions about his untimely demise.

HOME: Family Home, Naseby Road, Stockport

 
 
 

LEFT: Front page, The Independent 24 March 1996 [Click to Open]

ABOVE: Pages 1 & 2, The Independent 24 March 1996 [Click to Open]

Independent 19 Jan 1996

 
 

PNEUMOCYSTIS CARINII PNEUMONIA (PCP)

Pathologist Dr. Williams reported the presence of honeycomb cysts in David’s lungs, which are indicative of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), a prevalent form of pneumonia found in individuals with AIDS. However, it is important to note that PCP can also occur in anyone whose immune system is compromised. In fact, there are numerous studies documenting cases of PCP in patients suffering from Wegener's Granulomatosis, a condition characterised by inflammation of the blood vessels.

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia: a major complication of immunosuppressive therapy in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1995 Mar;151(3 Pt 1):795-9. doi: 10.1164/ajrccm/151.3_Pt_1.795. PMID: 7881673.

SKIN - rashes, lesions, brown splotches

David’s doctors noted the presence of “brown scaly splotches” on his skin. According to the NHS website, symptoms of Wegener's Granulomatosis can include a variety of manifestations, such as rashes, ulcers, and small spots. Other sources corroborate that these skin lesions can harden over time, potentially becoming scaly and sore, with a risk of bleeding.

GENERAL SYMPTOMS

From December 1958 and David’s admission to Manchester Royal Infirmary on 8 April 1959, he had reported some of the same symptoms the NHS note as early signs of Wegner’s Granulamatosis: high temperature, night sweats, feeling weak and tired, joint pain, loss of appetite, weight loss.

 

PNEUMOCYSTIS CARINII PNEUMONIA (PCP)

Individuals diagnosed with AIDS often experience a significant decline in their immune system, rendering them vulnerable to opportunistic infections. One of the most common and perilous of these infections is Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), which can severely affect the lungs and lead to respiratory failure. In numerous cases, those with advanced AIDS have succumbed to PCP, as the infection can rapidly progress in the context of such a weakened immune system, underscoring the devastating impact of the disease.

HIV-associated Opportunistic Pneumonias (IHOP) Study; Lung HIV Study. HIV-associated Pneumocystis pneumonia. Proc Am Thorac Soc. 2011 Jun;8(3):294-300. doi: 10.1513/pats.201009-062WR. PMID: 21653531; PMCID: PMC3132788.

SKIN - Kaposi Sarcoma

With the doctors retrospectively examining the symptoms David displayed, particularly the unusual “brown scaly splotches” noted on his skin, could have easily been considered as Kaposi Sarcoma. This type of cancer, often associated with an AIDS diagnosis, manifests itself on the surface of the skin due to its connections with the blood vessels.

GENERAL SYMPTOMS

Early symptoms of HIV/AIDS manifest during the seroconversion stage, often presenting as a flu-like fever accompanied by a high temperature. Individuals may experience night sweats, profound fatigue, and a general sense of weakness. As the infection progresses towards an AIDS diagnosis, malabsorption may occur, leading to weight loss as the body becomes increasingly unable to effectively absorb nutrients.

I am not a qualified doctor, but it is evident that a simple search on the internet today, combined with advancements in scientific and medical understanding, provides clarity regarding the cause of death recorded on David's certificate. The symptoms he experienced, while reminiscent of complications associated with AIDS, align closely with those indicative of Wegener granulomatosis. Despite the doctors of the time grappling with the accuracy of their diagnosis, current knowledge suggests that Wegener granulomatosis was not just a plausible explanation for David's condition but, an accurate one that sadly led to his ultimate demise.

Also, subsequent testing showed David Carr was not living with, nor had he succumbed to HIV/AIDS. 

 
 
Will Hampson
Previous

AIDS: THE LOST VOICES
Next

AIDS: THE LOST VOICES