Articles tagged with Hiv Treatments
FIND and DNDi partner to generate evidence for policy change and scale-up of HCV diagnosis and treatment in Malaysia. Decentralized screening using pre-qualified rapid diagnostic tests will be initiated, linking positive cases to direct-acting antiviral treatment.
In Southern Mozambique, half of those diagnosed with HIV do not enroll in medical care. The study highlights the need to develop interventions to facilitate access to care and treatment among this population. Only 44% attend a medical visit three months after diagnosis, while 25% initiate antiretroviral treatment.
A study published in AIDS Care found that patients on a single-tablet daily regimen had better treatment retention and viral suppression than those taking multiple pills. The single-pill regimen resulted in higher rates of adherence, retention, and HIV suppression.
A new study suggests that early HIV treatment can prevent brain atrophy and cognitive decline, emphasizing the importance of timely antiretroviral therapy. By analyzing MRI data from patients with early HIV infection, researchers found that cART treatment halted volume loss and cortical thinning in several brain regions.
A study in southern Mozambique found that nearly 40% of people diagnosed with HIV do not disclose their status during diagnosis campaigns. This phenomenon can lead to errors in tracking progress towards the 90-90-90 target and wasting valuable resources.
Researchers at UTSA investigate the potential for vaccine development against Cryptococcus, a fungus that can cause deadly fungal meningitis in immunocompromised individuals. The study highlights the need for further research to overcome current challenges in distinguishing between human and fungal cells.
In Lesotho, a clinical study validated a new approach to HIV testing and treatment, offering voluntary tests in remote villages. This strategy increased treatment rates by 26%, with 69% of patients on therapy three months after initial testing, compared to 43% in standard approaches.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine provides a more accurate representation of site- and regional-level mortality among people on HIV therapy in Zambia. The research found that mortality is substantially underreported in routine provincial program data, leading to a change in the ranking of provinces by mortality rates.
A new study provides a model for accurately measuring HIV mortality rates in Zambia, which is crucial for improving treatment outcomes. The study found that mortality is substantially underreported in routine data, with some provinces showing mortality rates up to 23-fold higher than reported.
Researchers found that short-term treatment interruptions do not lead to permanent expansion of the HIV reservoir or irreversible immune damage. Upon resuming ART, participants' immune systems returned to normal levels.
A new intervention by Dr. Stacey Sigmon reduces illicit opioid use and injection drug use among waitlisted patients by providing daily medication via a computerized dispenser. This regimen allows patients to start potentially life-saving treatment immediately, while waiting for access to comprehensive counseling services.
Recent studies present promising methods for early HIV identification and treatment, including self-testing and expanding antiretroviral therapy eligibility. Researchers also explore curing HIV using stem cell transplantation and discuss the ongoing growth of the Russian HIV epidemic.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) immediately following an HIV diagnosis dramatically improves retention in clinical HIV care. Patients who were eligible for ART at diagnosis were 25 percentage points more likely to start therapy and 18 percentage points more likely to remain in care at...
Researchers propose a mathematical model to investigate the effects of drug parameters and dosing schedules on HIV latent reservoirs and viral load dynamics. The study suggests that drugs with proper pharmacodynamic properties can potentially prevent or postpone establishment of viral infection.
A study published in Frontiers in Neuroanatomy found that HIV-positive children who started antiretroviral treatment by 18 months old have ongoing disruptions in white matter development at age 7, even with viral suppression. Uninfected children also show changes in brain development, suggesting long-term effects of HIV exposure
Scientists from Scripps Research Institute have shown that a novel compound effectively suppresses HIV virus production in chronically infected cells and prevents viral rebound. The 'block-and-lock' approach blocks reactivation of the virus in cells and locks it into a durable state of latency.
Despite progress in HIV treatment and prevention, a durable end to the pandemic may require an effective HIV vaccine. Existing tools such as antiretroviral therapy and pre-exposure prophylaxis can effectively prevent HIV transmission and manage the disease.
Researchers developed a new mathematical model to determine optimal prevention and treatment strategies for patients co-infected with cryptosporidiosis and HIV. The model shows significant positive impact of dual strategy on reducing both diseases.
A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that neighborhood socioeconomic position is a crucial predictor of cardiovascular risk. The model used to predict this risk systematically underestimated the negative effects of living in disadvantaged neighborhoods, highlighting the importance of considering ecologic circum...
A Phase II clinical trial found that an injectable antiretroviral treatment was as effective as standard oral therapy in suppressing viral loads in HIV patients. The treatment, which involves a combination of carbotegravir and rilpivirine injected every 4 or 8 weeks, showed improved adherence rates and quality of life for patients.
The second Swaziland HIV Incidence Measurement Survey (SHIMS2) reveals significant progress in combating the HIV epidemic, with a doubling of population viral load suppression since 2011. The survey found nearly half fewer new HIV infections among adults aged 18-49 years compared to 2011.
A nine-year-old South African child has suppressed HIV virus without anti-HIV drugs for eight and a half years, according to the NIH-funded study. The child received early limited anti-HIV treatment in infancy and was found to have maintained undetectable levels of HIV despite not receiving ongoing therapy.
A new study found that starting HIV treatment early is associated with accelerated bone loss of about 2-4%, which can increase the risk of fragility fractures. Despite this, the benefits of antiretroviral therapy in preventing HIV transmission and adverse health outcomes prevail.
A new study found that HIV-1 infected cells can persist in the body for decades by exploiting normal cell proliferation. The research identified a single infected CD4 T cell that can amplify the number of virally infected cells through clonal proliferation, leading to a million-fold increase.
Implementation of community-based testing and treatment programs was associated with increased HIV diagnosis, ART initiation, and viral suppression among HIV-positive adults. After two years, 80% of residents achieved viral suppression, and 96% had been previously diagnosed.
The study found dual therapy with lamivudine and a boosted protease inhibitor to be effective as second-line treatment in patients infected by HIV with multiple mutations. The combination resulted in lower rates of treatment failure, increased CD4 cell count, and better tolerability compared to monotherapy.
A Brown University study finds that HIV patients persisting with treatment has increased by more than 50% since 2001, with median duration reaching 35.4 months in 2004-2006. Despite progress, significant disparities remain, with certain groups facing higher discontinuation rates.
A study of 3,434 US MDR TB patients found that those on directly observed therapy had a 77% decrease in mortality compared to self-administered therapy. The study suggests that maximizing direct observation therapy coverage can help reduce all-cause mortality among MDR TB patients.
A study published in Scientific Reports reveals that diagnosing diseases and prescribing treatments engage the same brain system involved in everyday identification tasks. This finding may lead to new approaches to reduce medical errors by decreasing attentional focus during diagnosis.
The life expectancy of treated individuals with HIV in the EU and North America has increased by around a decade since the introduction of antiretroviral therapy. Projections suggest that life expectancy may approach that of the general population for those starting treatment from 2008 onwards.
A new study finds that HIV-positive young adults with limited treatment history have significant disruptions in brain structural networks, poorer connections, and reduced cognitive performance. The study suggests that anatomical brain connectivity is a useful biomarker for white matter disruption in HIV infection.
A study found that pretreatment HIV levels and immune activation are linked to persistent inflammation during treatment, contradicting previous results. The research suggests that diagnosing HIV early may prevent elevated immune activation, leading to health problems like heart disease.
Research finds elevated immune activation during treatment is not driven by low HIV levels in the blood. Pre-treatment immune events may contribute to continued activation despite antiretroviral success.
A vaccine with even partial effectiveness against HIV could prevent millions of new infections and potentially reverse the pandemic. However, diagnosis and treatment remain a significant challenge, particularly in high-risk groups.
A landmark study confirms that 'super-boosting' approach effectively counters negative interactions between key HIV and TB drugs in children co-infected with both diseases. This advancement will enable healthcare workers to treat children more effectively, ensuring long-term control of the HIV virus and keeping them alive.
A 19-year survey of gay men found a rise in condomless anal sex and multiple partners, linked to complacency over HIV treatment. Condom use dropped significantly among HIV-positive men, increasing risks for STIs and HIV transmission.
A new study aims to develop a combination therapy using interleukin-2 and a monoclonal antibody to eradicate HIV. The treatment, if successful, could reduce latent HIV reservoirs and cure the infection.
A new study highlights the difficult decisions healthcare providers face when treating HIV-positive patients with seizures, where medication options are limited. Seizures are a common symptom in advanced stage HIV, affecting up to 11% of those undiagnosed and untreated.
In Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Zambia, new HIV infections are falling, the percent of the population infected is stabilizing, and over half of those living with HIV are virally suppressed. The data show that once diagnosed, individuals are accessing treatment, staying on treatment, and achieving viral suppression.
Researchers from University of Liverpool are leading a multinational consortium to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV in developing countries. The DolPHIN-2 project uses a new drug Dolutegravir to rapidly reduce HIV levels, potentially preventing infant transmission and saving lives.
A new study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases found that HIV patients in Africa are developing resistance to both older generation drugs like thymidine analogues and modern drugs like tenofovir. This highlights the need for genetic testing before prescribing first-line treatments.
Scientists at Imperial College London have created a compact HIV test on a USB stick that can detect the virus in under 30 minutes. The device monitors viral levels to track treatment efficacy and prevent medication resistance.
A study published in JAMA analyzed data from the 2013 National Health Interview Survey to estimate the prevalence of self-reported immunosuppressed adults in the United States. The estimated US prevalence of immunosuppression is 2.7%, with higher rates among women, whites, and individuals aged 50-59 years.
Researchers have found that coupling an antibody with standard-of-care antiretroviral treatment reduces virus levels and reverses immune system damage in SIV-infected rhesus macaques. The dual therapy maintains undetectable virus levels for over nine months after ART withdrawal.
Researchers at NIH and Emory successfully induced sustained remission of SIV in infected monkeys for up to 23 months. The regimen, which combined 90 days of ART with infusions of a laboratory-derived antibody, restored key immune cells and eliminated viral reservoirs.
The new guidelines recommend comprehensive management of TB, including directly observed therapy, for all TB patients. Prompt initiation of anti-retroviral therapy during TB treatment can save lives.
Researchers found that patient navigation with financial incentives did not improve viral suppression rates among hospitalized patients with HIV infection and substance use. Treatment as usual was more effective in achieving viral suppression, with a treatment difference of 4.5% compared to the intervention group.
A new study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that financial incentives did not improve health outcomes for HIV-positive people with substance use disorders. The study showed no statistical differences in rates of viral suppression versus non-suppression or death among trial arms.
A new study of over 800 couples found that neither gay men nor heterosexual people with HIV transmitted the virus to their partners if on suppressive antiretroviral treatment. The PARTNER study, the world's largest of its kind, monitored couples for several years and recorded no instances of transmission.
A new study found that patient navigation and financial incentives were ineffective in improving HIV suppression among hospitalized patients with HIV infection and substance use. The research suggests that other approaches are needed to address the complex issues surrounding this vulnerable population.
The International Antiviral Society-USA panel recommends starting antiretroviral therapy in all individuals with detectable viremia, regardless of CD4 cell count. Recommended initial regimens include 2 NRTIs plus an InSTI for most patients.
A recent study published in BMJ found that mandatory treatment for substance use disorders is not effective in reducing drug use and may violate human rights. The authors suggest community-based approaches such as methadone and buprenorphine treatment, harm-reduction programs like needle exchanges, and education on overdose medications.
According to the National Gay Men's Sex Survey, more gay and bisexual men than ever are getting tested for HIV. However, one in four have never had an HIV test, and many are unsure of their status. The survey also found that condom use remains a concern, with one-in-three sexually active gay men having unprotected anal sex with non-ste...
Despite compelling evidence of PrEP's effectiveness, NHS England has yet to commission the treatment, leading to continued delays. The National Aids Trust is taking the matter to court for judicial review, citing discrimination against vulnerable groups.
Researchers estimate that implementing the '90-90-90' program in South Africa would avert over 2 million new HIV infections, reduce deaths by 2.4 million, and save an additional 13 million patient-years of life compared to current strategies.
A clinical trial found that same-day initiation of antiretroviral therapy improved ART uptake and viral suppression rates. Patients who started treatment quickly had better health outcomes, despite some loss to follow-up.
Researchers found that Denmark's exceptional treatment programs, with high patient adherence rates, have brought the country's HIV epidemic to near-elimination. The 'treatment as prevention' strategy has been shown to be effective in reducing new infections and can serve as a model for global elimination.
Studies demonstrate that tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) is as effective and safer than tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) in treating chronic Hepatitis B, with fewer negative changes in bone and kidney parameters. TAF improves patient safety while sustaining efficacy in patients with chronic Hepatitis B virus infection.
Researchers identified six areas for improvement: HIV prevention, common entry points, information availability, funding sources, competiveness, and building trust. Collaboration among agencies was found to be crucial for effective service delivery.
Researchers apply global sensitivity analysis to pinpoint key HIV model parameters affecting treatment plans. By fixing non-influential inputs and minimizing parameter dimensions, they better understand HIV dynamics and develop optimal treatment strategies.