We write in response to the article HIV and the drug conspiracy theory (Argus, July 19).

Steven Ransom's statement that HIV does not cause Aids is incorrect. As outlined in the recent Durban Declaration presented to President Mbeki of South Africa, it is clear HIV fulfils all the criteria required to prove causality for Aids.

HIV can be isolated from all patients with Aids; virtually everyone who has HIV, if untreated, will eventually develop Aids; healthcare workers exposed to the blood of HIV-infected patients can become infected with HIV and develop Aids and so on.

His view HIV has never been seen under a microscope is wrong. HIV has been identified by electron microscopy for more than 15 years.

His criticism of adopting an antenatal screening programme for HIV in East Sussex is unjust and potentially life-threatening.

The antibody test used is both sensitive and specific and is not unreliable as stated. The policy adopted by East Sussex is entirely consistent with both national and international guidance.

This will enable the hopefully small numbers of women identified as having HIV infection to reduce the chance of transmission of HIV to their children to almost zero as has been seen in countries where such programmes are already adopted, such as the USA and France.

While criticising the use of current anti-HIV therapies, which we would agree are not without potential toxicity, there is no mention of the dramatic reduction in mortality from HIV and Aids.

In Brighton and Hove, like other areas where these therapies are available, we have seen an 80 per cent reduction in deaths associated with HIV.

Much of the morbidity and mortality we have experienced locally in the past two years has been in individuals who have not come forward for HIV testing until their immune systems have been severely damaged and have therefore not been able to benefit optimally from new treatments.

To discourage HIV testing, as recommended by Mr Ransom, would only increase such HIV related illnesses and deaths. His cry to clean up our lives is an insult to those infected or affected by HIV and Aids throughout the world.

In his closing address to the Durban Conference, ex-president Nelson Mandela stated that the dispute regarding the causality of Aids should be put on the back-burner and that we should address the needs and concerns of those suffering and dying.

Martin Fisher, Consultant physician HlV/Genitourinary Medicine

-On behalf of Brighton Health Care HIV/GUM services