Articles tagged with Antiretrovirals
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The Lancet discusses new design changes to the journal, including open-access policies and electronic document posting. The article also explores various HIV/AIDS strategies for developing countries, including expanded access to treatment and prevention efforts. Researchers emphasize the importance of local solutions and community-led ...
A clinical trial in Cameroon shows a generic fixed-dose antiretroviral tritherapy to be as effective as conventional therapies, with good patient compliance and high quality of the treatment. The treatment, which costs $20 per month, is well tolerated and provides a cost-effective solution for HIV treatment in developing countries.
Researchers found that a weekly cycle of once-daily anti-HIV drugs can effectively treat HIV infection while reducing medication costs. The study involved eight patients who received a treatment regimen of 7 days on, followed by 7 days off, and maintained undetectable levels of HIV in their bloodstream for up to 84 weeks.
A study by the Infectious Diseases Society of America found that HIV drugs from developing countries meet US standards for active ingredient levels. Bioequivalency studies are still necessary to ensure efficacy and safety, according to lead author Dr. Scott Penzak.
A new analysis of FUZEON data found that it does not increase lipodystrophy or glucose levels in pre-treated HIV patients. The treatment also showed a lower incidence of diarrhoea compared to other ARV regimens.
Researchers found that starting with a combination of zidovudine, lamivudine, and efavirenz resulted in delayed failure of subsequent regimens and lower risk of drug resistance. The study suggests using sequential three-drug regimens may be more effective than four-drug treatments for treating first-time HIV recipients.
Researchers found that total lymphocyte count and albumin independently predicted the risk of death in HIV-1-infected children. Using these low-cost measures could establish when to initiate antiretroviral therapy in settings where CD4 and RNA assays are not available.
A new dried blood-spot test has shown promising results for monitoring HIV treatment in less-developed countries. The test, which uses a commercial enzyme immunoassay, compares well with standard flow cytometry and could make CD4+ lymphocyte count measurements more accessible to rural populations.
Lexiva demonstrated durable anti-viral response through 48 weeks, significantly less grade 2-4 drug-related diarrhea than nelfinavir. In PI-experienced patients, Lexiva/r showed fewer nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) mutations after virologic failure compared to lopinavir/ritonavir.
The Emory research team, led by Dr. Frances Priddy and Dr. Mark Feinberg, aims to develop simpler and cheaper monitoring tools for HIV-infected individuals in resource-poor countries. The goal is to enable these individuals to benefit from antiretroviral therapies, which have saved lives in developed countries.
A study published in The Lancet found that administering nevirapine and zidovudine to babies after birth can significantly reduce mother-to-child HIV transmission. The regimen resulted in a 7% protection rate for infants who received the full course, compared to 12% for those who only received nevirapine.
A multicenter study of 770 individuals found that a once-daily Abacavir regimen achieved similar virologic responses as the traditional twice-daily dosing regimen, with 66% achieving undetectable HIV-1 RNA levels. The regimen was also found to have a similar safety profile, with minimal hypersensitivity reactions reported.
A single-dose nevirapine regimen significantly decreased the risk of HIV-1 transmission from mother to child by 47% compared to a zidovudine regimen. The regimen was found to be safe and effective in all study mothers up to six weeks after delivery and for all babies up to 18 months of age.
Researchers found that a 6-month mark after starting antiretroviral therapy (HAART) can be used to predict disease progression in HIV/AIDS patients. Patients with higher CD4 cell counts and lower viral loads have lower risks of AIDS or death at this stage, suggesting that initial response to treatment is crucial for determining prognosis.
Research at UCSF found that patients taking 80% or more of their antiretroviral medications developed twice as many resistance mutations as those taking less than 40%. Despite this, excellent adherence remains the best way to prevent HIV/AIDS and prolong life with resistant virus.
A new grant of US$41 million from the Global Fund will support HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention in South Africa over 2 years. Generic antiretrovirals will be developed and produced locally, offering affordable access to life-saving medications.
A new UCLA study suggests that coronary heart disease may be accelerated in younger HIV-infected people. The research found that the rate of coronary heart disease in young HIV-positive men and women was significantly higher than in their HIV-negative counterparts.
The updated Guidelines provide practitioners with a list of suggested combination regimens for the initiation of antiretroviral therapy, taking into consideration factors such as potency, toxicities, and dosing frequency. The revised document aims to simplify the process of selecting an effective treatment regimen for HIV/AIDS patients.
A study of 9800 patients in Europe, Israel, and Argentina found that HAART significantly reduced AIDS incidence by 50%, with a 40% reduction in deaths among patients with low CD4 counts. Long-term follow-up is essential to observe changing causes of morbidity and mortality.
A study of 2,466 HIV-positive adults reveals that 53% use alternative medicine, often without informing their doctors. This can lead to adverse interactions with conventional treatment and increased risk of treatment failure.
A new class of anti-HIV medication, developed by Trimeris, has shown significant improvement in virologic and immunologic responses in patients with drug-resistant HIV. Enfuvirtide (T-20) works by blocking HIV entry into CD4 + lymphocytes and can benefit patients who already have HIV resistant to current therapy.
HIV-infected individuals with a history of alcohol problems who consume moderate or at-risk amounts of alcohol have higher viral loads and lower CD4 cell counts compared to non-drinkers. Heavy alcohol consumption is linked to increased disease progression, nonadherence to treatment, and worsened comorbid conditions.
The editorial emphasizes that providing affordable drugs is insufficient to combat HIV in the developing world. Comprehensive medical care, including training for healthcare workers and laboratory tests, must also be included to make Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) effective.
A recent study analyzed data from the Veterans Affairs HIV patient population between 1993 and 2001 and found a sharp decline in overall death rates among patients. Despite concerns about vascular disease as a side effect of HAART, the study suggests that these drugs may not increase the risk of this condition.
A recent study found a decrease in thymidine analog mutations and an increase in K65R and Y115F mutations associated with HIV treatment failure. The study analyzed data from 1999-2002 and identified trends in antiretroviral therapy usage and mutation incidence.
Researchers found a connection between HIV antiretroviral therapy and impaired triglyceride metabolism, increasing risk of atherosclerosis. Elevated ApoC-III levels were associated with higher triglycerides in both treatment groups.
The new guidelines identify five major areas of concern: insulin resistance, lipid metabolism, lactic acid disorders, bone disease, and abnormal body fat distribution. These metabolic complications may increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and potentially fatal lactic acidosis.
A recent study found that antiretroviral therapy targeting the central nervous system can improve neurological symptoms in HIV-infected children. The treatment was shown to reduce the amount of virus in their brains and improve developmental milestones.
Researchers analyzed data from over 12,000 adult patients starting HAART, finding that those with more advanced disease had a higher risk of progression to AIDS or death. Early initiation of treatment was associated with reduced mortality rates, particularly for those with lower CD4 counts.
The new treatment guidelines emphasize the use of CD4 cell counts as a primary indicator for starting therapy, rather than plasma HIV RNA levels. The guidelines also highlight the importance of patient adherence and regular monitoring of viral load and CD4 cell counts to ensure successful treatment.
Researchers found that HIV-infected patients with viral suppression interrupted treatment for an average of nine months without experiencing infections or illnesses. Patients with lower virus levels and stronger immune systems responded favorably to the interruption.
A Franco-Senegalese research team has demonstrated the efficacy of antiretroviral therapy in Africa, contrary to previous doubts. The 18-month pilot scheme showed strong adherence and high patient respect for prescriptions, with improved treatment outcomes.
A multi-center trial shows that new drug combinations, including two protease inhibitors, can significantly lower virus counts in patients with moderately advanced immunodeficiency. The study found that 31% of patients could achieve detectable viral loads with regimens containing four or five new drugs.
Scientists followed nearly 2,000 HIV-infected patients with varying levels of hepatitis C exposure. They found that exposure to hepatitis C did not increase risk of death or AIDS progression but was associated with lower antiretroviral therapy prescriptions, which may lead to increased mortality rates in this group.
A pilot study in Uganda found that patients with advanced HIV disease can survive and thrive with antiretroviral therapy. The program implemented an effective system for medical care and drug distribution, resulting in improved adherence to treatment and better virologic responses.
A study by the NIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse found that active cocaine users had significantly lower adherence rates to antiretroviral therapy, leading to a higher risk of viral suppression failure. The study suggests that interventions should include assessing and treating cocaine use in patients with HIV infection.
UCSF researchers argue that funding HIV prevention interventions in sub-Saharan Africa is 28 times more cost-effective than treating individuals with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Implementing six proven prevention interventions can save a maximum number of lives with limited funds available, according to the study.
Short-course regimens and pre-delivery, labour, and post-delivery therapy significantly reduce HIV-1 transmission rates from mother to child. Triple drug combinations may be even more effective.
The South African government is under pressure to implement a national program against vertical transmission of HIV from mothers to children. Key researchers are calling for increased investment in antiretroviral treatment and support to improve public health outcomes.
A study found that the MDR1 gene variation is associated with immune recovery after HIV treatment. The polymorphism MDR1 3435C/T predicts improved CD4-cell count recovery. This suggests P-glycoprotein plays a crucial role in antiretroviral drug absorption.
A study found significant disparities in HIV/AIDS treatment among minority Medicaid recipients, with African Americans waiting longer to start life-saving treatments and Hispanics being less likely to stay on them. The researchers suggest that improved care strategies and supportive services are needed to address these disparities.
Researchers discovered that garlic supplements decreased saquinavir levels by up to 51% in healthy volunteers. This suggests that patients taking saquinavir should avoid using garlic supplements to prevent interactions.
Researchers suggest a structured intermittent therapy approach, where patients receive daily doses of HAART for seven days, followed by seven days off the medication. This regimen has shown significant reductions in certain side effects, including cholesterol and triglyceride levels, without compromising treatment efficacy.
A new study found that early assessment of HIV-1 antiretroviral drug efficacy can predict long-term effectiveness. Patients with a continuous decline of HIV-1 concentrations within 0.72 log by day 6 after treatment initiation are likely to experience poor long-term responses.
Researchers at NIAID and NCI discovered a quick and simple method to assess drug efficacy by measuring viral load after just one week of therapy. This approach has the potential to prevent HIV drug resistance and improve treatment outcomes for patients.
A study found that HIV-1 shedding in female genital secretions is common, with 57% of women having RNA present. High plasma RNA concentrations are the best predictor for risk of transmission. Women on antiretroviral therapy may still be at risk of transmitting the virus to their partners or babies.
A study of 13 HIV-positive men found that those with high levels of autonomic nervous system activity responded less well to antiretroviral treatment, with some experiencing no immune recovery. Stress accelerates AIDS progression by increasing viral replication and making it harder for the body to fight off the infection.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that nearly half of people receiving antiretroviral treatment for HIV-1 developed clinical adverse effects, while 27% experienced laboratory adverse effects. The authors emphasize the need for postmarketing surveillance to improve tolerability of anti-HIV-1 treatment.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that nearly one third of eligible injection drug users never received antiretroviral treatment. Methadone addiction treatment, health insurance, and regular access to care were associated with increased HAART use among men.
AIDS researchers urge collaboration to develop new treatments for drug-resistant HIV patients, who represent 30% of treated cases in the US. The lack of effective therapies sets the stage for a dangerous epidemic of drug-resistant HIV.
Researchers propose integrating highly-active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) into existing tuberculosis-control infrastructure in less-developed countries. Directly-observed therapy has shown effectiveness in resource-poor settings with sustained commitment to uninterrupted care that is free to the patient.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that HAART suppresses viral replication and mutation, delaying the onset of AIDS. The study used genetic signatures to track HIV-1 activity in 20 participants on HAART for at least 25 months.
Susan Daluge, a North Carolina researcher, has developed a new ant-HIV drug called Ziagen that increases the anti-viral potency of AZT and 3TC. This simplifies treatment for patients who cannot tolerate protease inhibitors due to side effects.
A study evaluated dosage adjustments of Agenerase in HIV patients taking efavirenz or nevirapine, showing that therapeutic plasma concentrations were maintained at 6 or 12 weeks. Dosage adjustments resulted in improved amprenavir levels in all cases, despite the presence of efavirenz or nevirapine.
A study found that 74% of patients taking Ziagen/Combivir had viral loads below 400 copies/ml at 24 weeks, compared to 57% on the PI-containing regimen. Patients on Ziagen/Combivir also reported fewer difficulties with their triple regimen. The study assessed efficacy, safety, and patient adherence in therapy-naive patients.
A multi-institutional study found that adding interleukin-2 to antiretroviral therapy increases CD4 cell counts and decreases detectable virus levels in HIV-infected patients. The study showed significant improvements in immunologic function, with 67% of patients achieving low viral loads.
Researchers found that adding interleukin-2 to highly active antiretroviral therapy improves CD4 cell counts in recently infected patients. After 48 weeks of treatment, the average CD4 cell count increased significantly in the early IL-2 group compared to the deferred group.
Researchers found that adding IL-2 to antiretroviral therapy significantly increases CD4+ T-cell counts in HIV-infected patients. The study's results suggest that IL-2 may be used as a means of maintaining quality of life and decreasing AIDS-defining events.
A randomized controlled trial found that a new anti-inflammatory drug decreased kidney function at the same rate as an older medication. Prompt treatment with three powerful antiretroviral drugs after HIV exposure prevented infection in a young girl, according to researchers.
A new study by Dr. Wafaa M. El-Sadr found that HIV-infected patients with restored immunity can safely defer taking prophylactic antibiotics due to low infection rates. The study showed that antiretroviral therapy reconstitutes protective immunity, reducing the risk of opportunistic infections.