Research on HIV infection and how the virus behaves. Covers viral persistence, prevention policy, adolescent consent, and how HIV infects cells.
A SLU researcher suggests focusing on high-risk tuberculosis patients to improve treatment completion rates and accelerate the US goal of eliminating the disease. By identifying latent patients at highest risk of active infection, doctors can better communicate the importance of completing treatment regimens.
Researchers found that schistosomiasis is associated with increased HIV transmission, acquisition in uninfected women, and mortality in infected women. Treating schistosomiasis may be a cost-effective way to reduce new HIV cases and death rates among HIV-positive individuals.
Researchers identified gamma delta T cells as a key driver of 'inflamm-aging' in both HIV-infected individuals and the general geriatric population. The study found that targeting these immune cells could potentially reduce the onset and severity of inflammation-related diseases.
The NIH will fund HIV care and prevention research in counties with high rates of new HIV cases nationwide. The new initiative leverages partnerships with local health authorities and community-based groups to test sustainable interventions.
Researchers discovered a way to manipulate the Tat gene circuit to activate latent HIV in cells, making them susceptible to immune system destruction or drug therapies. This could lead to a cure for HIV by targeting the latent reservoir.
A new study finds that young black gay men are 16 times more likely to have an HIV infection than their white peers, despite engaging in fewer risk behaviors. The study highlights the importance of understanding social networks and access to medical care for addressing these disparities.
Researchers discovered that a bacterial protein, DnaK, interferes with cell response to and repair of DNA damage, increasing cancer risk. The study suggests that bacterial infections may contribute to more cancers than previously thought.
A new study reveals that liver macrophages do not contain infectious forms of HIV and are unlikely to replicate the infection on their own. The findings narrow potential treatment targets for HIV-infected people taking long-term antiretroviral therapy.
The European Region saw a significant increase in new HIV diagnoses, with the eastern part recording over 130 000 cases. However, there is encouraging progress in the EU and EU/EEA countries, particularly among men who have sex with men, where diagnoses have declined by 20% since 2015.
Researchers discovered that derivatives of amodiaquine can effectively block Ebola virus infection, with modified compounds showing improved potency and reduced toxicity. The findings offer a new therapeutic approach to treating patients infected with Ebola.
Researchers have identified two patients with a rare natural ability to suppress HIV, shedding light on the potential for a functional cure. Despite high levels of infected T cells, these patients show no measurable viral load in blood tests, raising hopes that long-term viral remission might be possible for more people.
The ECDC Guidance promotes integrated testing strategies to reduce undiagnosed cases of hepatitis B, C, and HIV. The guidance outlines key principles, including accessibility, confidentiality, and linkage to care, to improve public health outcomes by 2030.
A study by Monash researchers has revealed the molecular mechanism behind Candida albicans' transformation into its deadly hyphal form. This process is crucial in understanding how to develop effective treatments for this fatal infection, which affects patients with weakened immune systems and has a high mortality rate.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have isolated a human monoclonal antibody that can neutralize the West Nile virus, potentially preventing viral encephalitis in the US. The study found that a single dose of this antibody completely protected mice from an otherwise lethal West Nile infection.
A study published in Nature Communications confirms that HIV persistence during antiretroviral therapy (ART) is driven by the proliferation of infected cells, rather than viral replication. This finding suggests that reducing cellular proliferation could help deplete the latent HIV reservoir and potentially lead to a functional cure.
Researchers at The Wistar Institute found that the S100A14 protein is expressed at higher levels in these individuals than control donors, activating natural killer cells to defend against HIV. This discovery may lead to novel approaches for prevention of HIV infection by manipulating host immune defense.
Researchers identify significant impact of genetic diversity on peptide binding to HLA molecules, with implications for understanding HIV elite control and drug hypersensitivity. The study may also aid in the development of personalized vaccines.
Researchers have developed a system that uses microfluidic-based systems and electric fields to understand vesicles. This technique can differentiate between infectious and non-infectious vesicles, such as HIV, and has potential applications in improving drug delivery techniques.
A new study suggests that a monthly vaginal ring releasing dapivirine, an antiretroviral drug, poses minimal risk of developing drug-resistant HIV. The research analyzed plasma samples from women who acquired HIV during the ASPIRE Phase III trial and found no cases of dapivirine-associated resistance.
The HPTN 075 Study found an alarming rate of HIV infection among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) in sub-Saharan Africa. The incidence rate was substantially higher than the general population, indicating an urgent need for increased access to HIV prevention approaches.
A study from Australia found a rapid decline in new HIV infections after the implementation of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for men who have sex with men. The study, which followed 3,700 participants, showed a significant reduction in HIV diagnoses by 25% within one year.
Researchers found that HIV-infected infants were four times more likely to acquire congenital CMV infection compared to uninfected counterparts. Infants born to HIV-positive mothers had high rates of congenital CMV, with a sixfold greater chance of acquiring the virus during pregnancy.
A study of 500,000-plus outpatient antibiotic prescriptions found that nearly half were given without an infection-related diagnosis. The research suggests a huge problem with antibiotic misuse, regardless of symptom, and highlights concerns about 80% of antibiotics prescribed on an outpatient basis.
Researchers identified seven specific HPV types linked to increased risk of HIV infection in a study published in PLOS ONE. The study found that individuals with any HPV type, multiple HPV types, or high-risk HPV were more likely to test positive for HIV.
A new study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases found that a single dose of medication is not enough to eliminate trichomoniasis, a common curable STD causing serious birth complications and increasing HIV susceptibility. Researchers suggest multiple doses of treatment may be necessary for effective elimination of the parasite.
A randomized controlled study found that a sexual education and skills-building program reduced the risk of new STIs by 45% among black girls aged 14 to 18. The adapted program, IMARA, will be tested in South Africa with 525 daughter-female caregiver pairs.
In a groundbreaking operation, doctors at the University of Witwatersrand performed the world's first intentional liver transplant from an HIV-positive mother to her HIV-negative child. The successful transplant has raised hopes for using this method to save additional lives. However, the team is now unsure of the child's HIV status.
A study found that vedolizumab reduces formation of HIV-infected T cell clusters in the small intestines. The compound proved safe over a 30-week period, supporting its potential as a tool to eradicate HIV.
A new study published in Nature demonstrates that administering broadly neutralizing antibodies and immune-stimulating agents can delay viral rebound following ART discontinuation in monkeys. This two-pronged approach represents a potential strategy to target the latent reservoir, rendering infected cells more susceptible to elimination.
A recent grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research will support a study characterizing the oral microbiome in children with HIV infection. The study aims to understand how HIV affects tooth decay, with potential applications for personalized medicine and improved prevention strategies.
Researchers discovered anti-a4b7 therapy significantly reduces lymphoid aggregates in the GI tract of HIV-1 infected patients. The study found that this therapy may have significant implications for HIV treatment.
Researchers have identified a key protein called RAB11FIP5 that regulates natural killer cell activity in people who produce protective HIV antibodies. This discovery could lead to the development of a vaccine that triggers these antibodies before HIV infection.
A 4-year-old boy was infected with HIV-1 after accidental exposure to the virus through his father's skin blisters during seroconversion, a period of viral replication and immune response. The transmission highlights the importance of understanding HIV transmission in atypical ways.
A novel combination of broadly neutralizing antibodies has shown remarkable results in reducing HIV viral loads in infected individuals, even after treatment interruptions. This groundbreaking study suggests a promising approach to antibody-mediated therapy, paving the way for long-term control of the virus.
Researchers found that antibiotics kill beneficial bacteria, preventing them from controlling infection and inflammation in the mouth. The study suggests that overuse of antibiotics can have devastating effects on overall health, including oral conditions.
A study found that a fragment of an ancient retrovirus, HK2, is more frequently integrated in the genes of people who contracted HIV through IV drug use. This suggests that HK2 may contribute to dopaminergic manipulation and be an underappreciated pathogenic burden.
A clinical trial is testing infusions of two potent, HIV-specific antibodies to evaluate their safety and effectiveness in suppressing HIV. The study aims to provide a potential alternative to daily antiretroviral therapy.
The FRESH program has shown that young women in South Africa are more likely to be infected with HIV due to socioeconomic factors such as gender inequality and economic dependence. The program also identified biologic factors contributing to a higher risk of HIV infection, including hormonal levels and bacterial microbiome composition.
Despite record-high infection rates, many patients only receive treatment for their own infection, while partners are often left without access to antibiotics or a prescription. Experts highlight the need to overcome barriers, including stigma and policy hurdles, to increase the use of expedited partner therapy.
A Swiss research team has identified a factor influencing immune response in HIV-1 infected individuals: the virus genome. Broadly neutralizing antibodies were found to target envelope proteins with varying levels of efficiency.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill HIV Cure Center and Cell Microsystems will use the NIH grant to automate and streamline the measurement of the HIV reservoir. The team aims to accurately detect emergence of HIV after exposure to potential therapeutics and evaluate the efficacy of latency reversal therapies.
A new lab-on-a-chip device developed by KU Leuven researchers can detect infections and viruses in blood with high accuracy, making it ideal for diagnosing people in developing countries. The device is simple, cheap to produce, and can be activated with a finger touch, allowing anyone to use it.
The Keep It Up! program, a novel online HIV prevention initiative, has been shown to reduce sexually transmitted infections by 40 percent among gay young men. The program will now be implemented nationally as part of the next phase, testing two implementation strategies: community-based and direct-to-consumer methods.
A simple intervention program increased antiretroviral medication use by 30% among HIV-positive injection-drug users, while also reducing deaths and viral suppression. The flexible program was well-received globally and can be scaled up to improve worldwide health.
A new intervention has been found to reduce mortality rates by 50% among people with HIV who inject drugs. The program combines psychosocial counseling, guidance on the healthcare system, and support from systems navigators to increase treatment participation and HIV suppression.
The HPTN 074 study demonstrates a significant reduction in mortality and increased antiretroviral therapy usage among participants, leading to improved viral suppression. The integrated intervention combining psychosocial counseling and substance use treatment referrals was associated with enhanced uptake of these services.
HIV/AIDS research has led to significant advances in heart disease, hepatitis, and cancer. Scientists have better understood the vital role of CD4+ T cells in thwarting other infectious diseases and certain cancers.
Scientists compared two genetic sequencing methods to identify viruses behind illnesses in Tanzania. VirCapSeq-VERT proved more efficient than unbiased high-throughput sequencing, detecting Dengue virus and other pathogens with similar accuracy. The study's findings support the use of VirCapSeq-VERT as a cost-effective method for monit...
Genital warts may increase the risk of HIV transmission if left untreated. Researchers found a higher density of HIV-target cells on anogenital warts, suggesting these lesions can be highly susceptible to infection.
A large international systematic review found that 78% of children with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis had successful treatment outcomes when treated with second-line MDR-TB drugs. The study highlights the need for HIV treatment in these children and the importance of aggressive solutions to address malnutrition.
Researchers studied the impact of public health-oriented drug law reforms on HIV incidence among people who inject drugs in Tijuana, Mexico. Implementing reforms could prevent 21% of new HIV infections if incarceration is reduced and individuals are diverted to evidence-based treatment.
Researchers used a super-resolution microscope to observe viral assembly, finding that envelope proteins are randomly scattered on the cell membrane rather than recruited by matrix proteins. This discovery could lead to more effective vaccines for enveloped viruses like influenza and HIV.
A randomized clinical trial found an intervention reducing condomless sex acts among young transgender women, suggesting it is both feasible and effective. The project shared information about HIV, promoted condom use, and encouraged partner communication to reduce the risk of HIV transmission.
Researchers found that in people living with HIV, a type of antibody called immunoglobulin G3 (IgG3) stops B cells from doing their normal job of fighting pathogens. This phenomenon appears to be one way the body tries to reduce immune-system hyperactivity caused by HIV.
A new method evaluates the community effect of HIV interventions, tracing transmission from infected individuals to those newly infected. The research provides a more comprehensive understanding of intervention effectiveness in reducing disease spread.
A study by UC Davis researchers found that low levels of cytomegalovirus (CMV) significantly impact microbe and immune cell populations, influencing the immune system's response to the influenza vaccine. CMV infection also alters gut microbiota, potentially diverting resources away from other threats.
Researchers describe how Oropouche virus replicates in human cells by hijacking the Golgi complex, a process that could lead to novel targets for preventing infection. The study provides new insights into the replication mechanisms of emerging viruses.
According to Dr. Fauci, sustained ART-free remission involves suppressing latent virus without daily medication. Two approaches are being explored: intermittent non-ART interventions and stimulating the immune system to exert long-lasting control over HIV.
Rural East African communities that hosted annual health fairs saw higher overall survival and viral suppression rates compared to standard care. Annual multi-disease health fairs delivered patient-centered, streamlined HIV care, resulting in fewer new HIV cases, better control of hypertension and diabetes, and lower TB rates.
A study of pediatric emergency department data found that only 27.7% of young women with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) were screened for syphilis, and 22% were screened for HIV. Screening rates varied significantly by hospital, with some facilities testing as little as 2% of high-risk patients.