Articles tagged with Hiv Treatments
A new report from Simon Fraser University researcher calls for expanded heroin and opioid medical treatment to address rising overdose deaths. The study highlights the gap in treatment availability in Canada and the US and recommends eliminating restrictions on methadone prescribing and reducing financial barriers to treatment.
A peer-led intervention developed by a nursing researcher at the University of Missouri helps individuals with HIV adhere to their treatment plans. The program improves patients' quality of life and reduces the risk of spreading the virus.
Researchers found community pharmacists want a more active role in HIV treatment, aiming to build relationships with customers during test sales. Pharmacists believe their role can help strengthen healthcare infrastructure, particularly in rural areas where stigmatized feelings hinder testing and care.
Researchers have discovered that a reduced daily dose of the antiretroviral medication efavirenz is both safe and effective in suppressing HIV. The findings could lead to lower treatment costs and increased access to life-saving therapy for millions worldwide.
The World Health Organization's new guidelines call for immediate antiretroviral therapy (ART) for all HIV-infected children under five years of age. DNDi and Cipla are expediting the development of urgently needed 4-in-1 ARVs adapted for babies and toddlers with HIV, to be delivered by 2015.
A New York City program successfully located 689 out of 797 HIV-positive patients who were presumed lost to follow-up, with 77% of these patients accepting appointments at an HIV clinic and 57% returning to treatment. The effort aimed to re-engage patients in care and identify new cases of HIV infection among their sexual partners.
Effective mental health interventions can be implemented by trained non-specialized providers in HIV care, reducing the opportunity costs of care. Multidisciplinary collaboration is crucial for successful integration of mental health services into comprehensive HIV/AIDS treatment platforms.
Researchers from CHOP and Penn found that efavirenz is more effective than nevirapine in suppressing HIV in children aged 3-16 in low-resource settings. The study, published in JAMA, suggests a shift in pediatric HIV treatment guidelines could be warranted.
The AfriCoLeish project aims to test new treatments for kala-azar and co-infection with HIV in Ethiopia and Sudan, providing a shorter combination treatment option. The project will also determine appropriate treatment strategies for co-infected patients to prevent relapses.
A recent study found that people with HIV who start treatment before their CD4 count drops below 200 cells per microliter have life expectancies around 80% of the general population. Long-term treatment can manage HIV as a chronic illness, suggesting revised estimates for life insurance companies and epidemiological models.
Researchers will study the effectiveness of a mobile phone app/game in improving antiretroviral treatment adherence among HIV-infected youth and young adults. The goal is to enhance CD4+ cell count, reduce HIV viral load, and decrease transmission risk.
Researchers developed computer models that accurately predict how patients with failing HIV treatments will respond to new therapies, identifying alternative effective regimens. The models were trained on thousands of global clinic data and showed promise for improving patient outcomes in resource-limited settings.
A new paper highlights how political conflict can lead to disrupted treatment, promoting resistance to antiretroviral drugs and treatment failure. The authors call for further research and planning to mitigate the effects of treatment interruption in strife-prone nations with high rates of HIV infection.
A study led by Katherine Luzuriaga and Deborah Persaud shows that early ART can curtail the formation of hard-to-treat viral sanctuaries. Five HIV-infected teenagers who started ART within two months of exposure had lower copy numbers of viral DNA compared to those who started later.
A UK study found that improved prevention measures failed to reduce HIV levels among men who have sex with men in England and Wales, despite increased testing and treatment rates. The researchers suggest that targeting the most-at-risk groups and initiating treatment earlier may be necessary to bring about a drop in HIV incidence.
A network of steroid molecules found in the brain is disrupted during HIV infection, leading to brain damage. Treatment with DHEA-S has been shown to prevent neuronal damage and reduce neurovirulence.
A study published in the Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care found that Mexican-origin patients with HIV often used complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) to support their health and alleviate symptoms. Healthcare providers need to learn about CAM benefits and risks and teach patients to report CAM use to develop e...
A 48-week course of antiretroviral medication can delay the need for lifelong treatment and reduce virus levels in the blood for up to sixty weeks after stopping. This study suggests that early treatment may slow immune system damage and reduce the risk of transmission.
Replacing branded antiretroviral drugs with generics could reduce healthcare costs by nearly $1 billion annually, but may diminish the effectiveness of HIV treatment. The switch could lead to a more complicated treatment regimen, increasing the risk of treatment failure and loss of antiretroviral effectiveness.
A new study found that doctors who are culturally aware provide better quality of care to HIV patients from ethnic minorities. These patients tend to manage their treatment and condition better and have improved health outcomes. Increasing healthcare provider cultural competence can reduce racial disparities in both the quality of care...
A new study published in the AIDS Journal found that starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV can lead to reduced food insecurity among patients. The treatment improved work status and mental health, resulting in decreased hunger rates, with the most pronounced effects seen in those receiving ART.
A study found that antiretroviral therapy (ART) for the HIV-positive partner in a serodiscordant couple significantly reduces HIV transmission rates, with a 26% relative reduction. However, the protective effect of ART seemed to only last for one year.
A new rapid test for tuberculosis has been found to substantially reduce TB deaths and improve treatment in southern Africa. The study found that implementing the test would prevent an estimated 132,000 TB cases and 182,000 TB deaths over 10 years.
Researchers found that blocking galectin-1 in mice with established Kaposi sarcomas slowed tumor growth by suppressing blood vessel formation. This breakthrough holds promise for new treatment options for patients with KS and may also be effective for other diseases characterized by aberrant blood vessel growth.
A 15-year analysis shows that state-of-the-art HIV care improves health outcomes across all patient groups, including those most affected by the disease. Comprehensive care models with multiple levels of support lead to better clinical outcomes.
A Florida State University researcher is studying the unique ability shared between histone deacetylase inhibitors and psychostimulant drugs to control gene expression. The goal is to root out dormant HIV cells evading treatment and develop new treatments, potentially leading to an HIV cure.
The University of British Columbia has secured over $20 million in funding to combat neglected global diseases, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. Research projects include a $7M grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to study pre-eclampsia and a project to improve nutrition in rural Cambodia.
A UCLA study challenges the World Health Organization's approach to HIV prevention in South Africa, suggesting it could lead to millions developing drug-resistant strains and costing billions more than estimated. The researchers argue that providing treatment to those in need would be more effective and cost-efficient.
A UCLA study challenges the World Health Organization's approach to HIV prevention in South Africa, suggesting a 'test and treat' strategy could be more effective but costly. The researchers predict that treating the 1.6 million people who need treatment would be very effective as a form of 'treatment as prevention,' bringing the epide...
Group Health's video-based decision aids for arthritis patients led to a sharp decline in knee and hip replacement surgeries by 38% and 26%, respectively, over six months. The cost of caring for those patients also decreased by 12-21%.
A study of 46,201 adults found that HIV-positive men on antiretroviral therapy were 31% more likely to die than women, despite similar treatment responses. The researchers suggest that the observed differences may be due to background differences in mortality between men and women in the South African population.
A new analysis of the HPTN 052 study results shows that early antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a triple winner: improving patient health, protecting partners, and being very cost-effective. The strategy can increase survival, prevent costly opportunistic infections, and avert early transmissions.
A computer program calibrated to model accurately HIV spread in NYC predicts significant reduction in infection rate with comprehensive intervention strategies. The model simulates individual behavior and transmission networks, providing detailed examination of how interventions affect the epidemic.
A study in Swaziland found the national rate of new HIV infections to be 2.38%, comparable to the 2009 estimate of 2.66%. The country's high HIV prevalence may have begun to level off, with prevention and treatment programs taking effect.
The HPTN 052 study found that early antiretroviral therapy significantly delayed the time to both AIDS and non-AIDS primary events and reduced the overall incidence of clinical events. Immediate ART also decreased the incidence of clinical events likely due to reversal of immune suppression.
A new report identifies seven key areas where funding and political will are crucial to ending the AIDS epidemic. The report outlines a comprehensive plan for achieving an AIDS-free generation, including renewed scientific research and implementation of proven treatment tools.
A novel approach using a gift card incentive is being tested in a new HIV study. Patients who adhere to HIV treatment regularly can receive rewards and motivation through the program, which aims to improve patient engagement and viral suppression.
A study proposes a framework for complementary prevention by targeting specific subgroups with tailored interventions. The research finds that 'treatment as prevention' needs to consider the full range of HIV-risk behaviors.
Lauren Sciences LLC has received a grant from The Campbell Foundation to develop a V-Smart therapeutic for neuro-HIV. The treatment aims to deliver tenofovir across the blood brain barrier to treat viral reservoirs in the central nervous system.
A collection of articles investigates the impact of antiretroviral treatment on new HIV infections, exploring its potential epidemiological impact and affordability. The studies assess the utility of mathematical models and evaluate their consistency with real-world data.
The Quad pill, combining elvitegravir with cobicistat, has been shown to be effective in suppressing viral loads to undetectable levels in 88% of patients, compared to 84% for the EFV/FTC/TDF regimen. The new treatment also showed improved patient satisfaction and reduced prescription errors.
A study published in PLoS Medicine found that a nevirapine-based treatment regimen was as effective as lopinavir/ritonavir in suppressing the HIV virus, but had a higher stop-treatment rate due to adverse health effects. The researchers emphasize the need for better-tolerated regimes and improved access to effective treatments.
A clinical trial found that nevirapine-based treatment was as effective as lopinavir/ritonavir in controlling HIV levels and reducing mortality among African women. The study confirms the affordability and efficacy of nevirapine-based treatment regimens for initial HIV treatment in resource-limited settings.
Researchers at Harvard University have found that pre-existing mutations in the HIV virus can cause it to develop resistance to drugs used to slow disease progression. This discovery could lead to more effective treatments and opens up possibilities for prevention of drug resistance.
A recent study found that pre-existing mutations in HIV patients can cause the virus to develop resistance to drugs used to slow its progression. The study, published in PLOS Computational Biology, suggests that understanding how resistance evolves may lead to the development of more effective treatments.
A UBC-developed oral drug delivery system of Amphotericin B shows promise in 'flushing' HIV from reservoirs and boosting effectiveness of existing therapies. The $1.1-million funding supports its clinical development as a treatment for HIV patients, offering new hope for the quest to find a cure.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis has been shown to prevent HIV infection before exposure, with a 39% reduction in rates found in one recent trial. A four-week duration of therapy is recommended, based on evidence from macaque models of transmission.
Researchers found that patients who received early temporary treatment with antiretroviral drugs (cART) for 24 weeks had a lower viral setpoint and delayed the need to restart treatment during chronic HIV infection. This delay lasted for an average of 0.7 years, compared to those who did not receive early cART.
Two NIH-funded studies demonstrate the benefits of immediate antiretroviral treatment for HIV-infected infants, showing improved survival rates and healthier brain development. The studies found that treating infants with ART within the first year of life significantly reduced the risk of death and disease progression.
A NIH-funded study found that HIV-positive children treated after showing moderate symptoms did not experience greater cognitive or behavior problems compared to those treated earlier. However, both groups lagged behind HIV-negative peers in these areas, suggesting an early treatment window for minimizing impairments.
A recent US study found that only about 75% of HIV/AIDS patients in the United States remain in consistent care, with long gaps between appointments common. Patients with certain characteristics, such as women, white patients, and those with low CD4 counts, are more likely to stay in care.
The new guidelines, drawn from 325 studies with tens of thousands of people infected with HIV, aim to improve entry into treatment plans and adherence to lifelong drug therapy. Key strategies include systematic monitoring, patient navigators, and automated tracking systems to follow up with patients.
Research suggests that men in sub-Saharan Africa receive fewer HIV services, leading to worse health outcomes. Efforts to engage men in HIV prevention and care are crucial to addressing these disparities and ensuring a more balanced approach to gender in the fight against AIDS.
A new study suggests that immediate antiretroviral therapy (ART) is more beneficial for recently infected HIV patients than deferred treatment. The study found that participants who received ART immediately had better outcomes and were protected from disease progression not only during treatment but also after treatment was stopped.
A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that the optimal time to integrate HIV treatment with TB therapy depends on a patient's immune status. Patients with advanced HIV disease who start antiretroviral treatment earlier show significant improvements in survival rates.
A mathematical model predicts that expanding HIV treatment to discordant couples in Ghana, Lesotho, Malawi, and Rwanda can prevent 96% of transmission. The intervention's effectiveness varies by country, with potential for significant impact in certain nations.
Researchers found slower disease progression among patients starting treatment with CD4 counts between 350 and 499. The study suggests initiating therapy at this range may provide long-term benefits, but no benefit is seen for patients with CD4 counts above 500.
Rapid point-of-care CD4 testing has been shown to nearly double the number of patients starting HIV treatment, while reducing dropout rates by half. This improvement is attributed to faster patient staging on-site, allowing for earlier initiation of antiretroviral therapy.
A new study suggests that adopting the World Health Organization's treatment initiation criteria for HIV-infected individuals would significantly reduce the country's HIV incidence, extend life-years, and ultimately save money. By starting ART earlier, South Africa could prevent more than 120,000 additional life-years by 2040.
A global study of real-world circumcision rollout in South Africa found a marked reduction (>60 percent) of HIV acquisition among circumcised adult men. This is the first time such a large-scale community-level intervention has shown effectiveness in curbing HIV transmission.