Research on HIV infection and how the virus behaves. Covers viral persistence, prevention policy, adolescent consent, and how HIV infects cells.
Researchers developed a high-throughput imaging-based approach to investigate protein stability, identifying previously unknown human proteins targeted by HIV. The platform has broad applications in diseases such as Alzheimer's, cancer, and autoimmune disorders.
A randomized trial of PHAT Life, a role-playing intervention, found that teens on probation reported a reduction in number of sexual partners and an increase in consistent condom use. The program showed promise in reducing sexual risk-taking among high-risk youth.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago are investigating whether menstrual cup use reduces bacterial vaginosis and sexually transmitted infections in girls in Kenya. Studies have shown that menstrual cups can significantly reduce these infections by up to 52%.
A new study by Gladstone Institutes researchers shows that infection sites impact the immune system's response to a virus and its spread through the body. The study found that different routes of sexual transmission trigger distinct immune responses, influencing the virus's dissemination.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have identified a small drug molecule that can clear HSV-1 infection in cells and works differently than current drugs. The new compound, BX795, has shown to be effective in treating resistant cases with minimal toxicity.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill identified mixing patterns among men who inject drugs in Vietnam to pinpoint high-risk groups for HIV transmission. They found assortative mixing by age and linked this information with HIV infection rates, revealing key risk groups.
Researchers at McGill University discovered a molecular mechanism that allows viruses to evade the immune system by modifying glycoproteins on CD8+ T cells. This pathway can be targeted to restore immune function and control chronic viral infections.
Scientists have pinpointed seven bacterial species whose presence in high concentrations may significantly increase the risk of HIV infection in women. The study, which used data from six African nations, found that women carrying these bacteria had a 4.6-to-1 increased odds of acquiring HIV.
A recent study found a strong association between high levels of alpha-4 beta-7 on CD4+ T cells and increased risk of HIV acquisition and rapid disease progression. Women with higher pre-infection levels of alpha-4 beta-7 had more rapidly declining CD4+ T cell counts and greater viral loads.
The United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has saved millions of lives since its inception in 2003. PEPFAR-funded programs have delivered antiretroviral therapy to over 13 million people, prevented 2.2 million perinatal HIV infections, and supported vulnerable children impacted by HIV.
Researchers found that elevated frequencies of a specific protein-expressing T cell correlate with increased HIV infection risk and more severe disease in women. Existing treatments for inflammatory bowel disease may be repurposed as valuable interventions for HIV.
A recent study found that latent HIV reservoirs exhibit inherent resistance to CD8+ T-cells, making it challenging to eliminate the virus. Researchers at George Washington University used their most powerful combinations against these cells, but were unable to kill the virus, which remained present at high levels.
A new test developed by Stanford chemists combines the convenience of spitting in a cup with the reliability of blood tests to detect HIV infections earlier. The test was shown to correctly diagnose 22 people and demonstrate improved sensitivity compared to existing saliva tests.
Researchers found that conducting HIV testing among social and risk networks of those recently diagnosed with HIV can identify undiagnosed cases at higher rates and lower costs than other approaches. The study used a network-based recruiting, counseling, and HIV testing strategy, which was more effective in locating undiagnosed positives.
A new assay has been developed to detect HIV antibodies in oral fluid, showing high sensitivity and specificity. This assay may enable early diagnosis of HIV infection in populations at risk, potentially improving public health efforts.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology identified a hitherto unknown precursor for a poorly understood subgroup of killer T cells. Single-cell transcriptome analysis revealed an unprecedented level of heterogeneity among immune cells, upending the traditional view of immune cells as unvarying entities.
A new study reveals the vaginal tract harbors a more genetically diverse HIV-1 population than the blood, with an average of 5.7 variants vs. 1.7 in blood plasma. This finding supports the existence of a genetic bottleneck that filters out variants between the two compartments.
Timothy Ray Brown, the first person cured of HIV, continues to advocate for research funding and education on the impact of an HIV cure. Despite disappointment over decreased public desire for a cure, he remains optimistic that a functional cure can be achieved with proper funding.
Researchers have developed a promising strategy using multivalent combinations of antibodies to prevent and treat HIV. These broadly neutralizing antibodies offer increased efficacy against various strains of the virus, including those at mucosal surfaces.
A study published in PNAS found that conflict in Ukraine has increased the risk of HIV outbreaks due to displaced people moving from war-affected regions to areas with higher risk of transmission. The research suggests that harm reduction services should be scaled up and international support provided to prevent further transmission.
A study by Dr. Jonathon Rendina and Dr. Jeffrey Parsons found that 70% of HIV-positive and 36% of HIV-negative men perceive the 'Undetectable = Untransmittable' message as accurate, with rates increasing since earlier studies. Regular testing and PrEP use are associated with higher accuracy perceptions.
Researchers at MIT and Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed a capsule that can deliver a week's worth of HIV drugs in a single dose. The new design allows for gradual release of the drug throughout the week, improving patient adherence and potentially preventing infections by up to 20 percent.
A comprehensive review of available evidence suggests that replacing the DMPA contraceptive shot with alternative methods could help protect women from becoming infected with HIV. The study found that some other forms of contraception do not show the same deleterious effect on immune function as DMPA.
Research suggests that the DMPA contraceptive shot increases the risk of HIV infection by 40% due to its effects on immune function and genital tract barrier function. Alternative hormonal contraceptives with a different form of progestin may help reduce this risk.
A team of scientists led by Guido Silvestri at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center has sequenced the sooty mangabey genome, revealing clues that may help people infected with HIV. The study found two key differences in proteins of the immune system that may contribute to the mangabeys' resistance to AIDS.
Researchers developed a gene therapy approach using CAR T-cells to target and destroy HIV-infected cells, achieving sustained immunity of over two years in test animals. The engineered cells effectively attacked and killed HIV-infected cells without adverse effects.
A new population-based model has been developed to track new HIV infections with greater accuracy, enabling researchers to better target prevention strategies and evaluate interventions. The tool uses biomarkers to identify recent infections, reducing false classifications and costs for studies.
Researchers found that FDA-approved anti-inflammatory medications tofacitinib and ruxolitinib can block HIV production from infected cells, prevent transmission to bystander cells, and decay the viral reservoir. The study suggests using Jak inhibitors as a potential treatment for HIV-infected individuals to control the virus.
A study published in PLOS Pathogens reveals the molecular binding partners of a chronic virus, providing new insights into the development of chronic viral infections and potential targets for treatment. The researchers mapped protein interactions using a novel approach, identifying essential proteins for viral survival and host defense.
A study suggests that age 25 would be the most beneficial age for a one-time screening HIV test of the general population, improving rates of HIV diagnosis and overall health outcomes. However, youth at high risk should be tested more frequently.
Researchers designed nanoparticles that mimic a cell surface protein to bind and destroy viruses, including herpes simplex virus and human papillomavirus. The new nanoparticles have shown irreversibility binding and lethal deformations to various viruses in vitro experiments.
Researchers at EPFL have developed gold nanoparticles that can attract and destroy a range of viruses, including HIV, dengue, and Ebola, by using pressure to deform them. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of broad-spectrum antiviral drugs.
A Drexel University study suggests that if a quarter of high-risk men use daily PrEP, 3 out of every 10 HIV infections could be prevented. The study also found that when all preventive strategies were combined, they resulted in the prevention of 72.2% of infections.
A Michigan State University study suggests that THC in marijuana can reduce inflammatory white blood cells and decrease proteins released by the body, potentially slowing down mental decline in HIV patients. The researchers found that patients who used marijuana had lower levels of inflammatory cells compared to those who didn't use it.
Researchers analyzed monkey brains infected with SIV on antiretroviral therapy and found persistent lymphocyte-dominant inflammation, suggesting underlying cognitive problems. The study suggests that adjunctive immunomodulatory therapies may be useful in patients with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders.
Researchers at Boston University are developing a novel approach to deliver anti-retrovirals directly to lymphatic tissues to combat HIV replication. This targeted approach aims to improve drug penetration and eradicate virus reservoirs.
A research team from St. Michael's Hospital is conducting a nationwide survey to identify the sources of HIV discrimination in Canada, with the goal of reducing and eliminating it. The study aims to promote changes in policy, healthcare, and individual awareness to improve the lives of people living with HIV.
A novel drug delivery system using a microarray patch has been developed for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which could increase adherence among at-risk women and others. The patch contains tiny projections that painlessly deliver a drug, providing weeks or months of protection against infection.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital are developing new models to test HIV vaccines, enabling the rapid evolution of human antibodies in mice. This approach could lead to a protective version of broadly-neutralizing antibodies in uninfected individuals through preventative immunization.
A recent study has found that a cancer drug called nivolumab can drastically decrease the reservoirs of HIV-infected cells in the body, a key step towards potentially eradicating the virus. This breakthrough has been observed in a single patient with lung cancer, who showed a sustained reduction in HIV reservoirs after treatment.
A Loyola University Chicago study has identified the protein bicaudal D2, which facilitates the trafficking and nuclear import of HIV-1 genomes during infection. This finding raises the possibility of developing a drug that would prevent HIV-1 from binding to bicaudal D2.
Researchers at Stellenbosch University found that HIV affects the brain in early stages of infection, leading to decreased blood flow and brain functional impairment. The study used fMRI scans to compare brain activity of people with and without HIV, revealing a link between frontal lobe atrophy and cognitive symptoms.
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.
Researchers have found a mechanism that prevents the formation of HIV's protein shell, which is essential for infection. The discovery could lead to the development of new anti-HIV drugs by targeting specific molecular processes.
A US-funded global effort to curb HIV infection in high-risk populations appears to be working, with a 42% decline in new HIV infections. Male circumcision was shown to have a direct risk-lowering effect, while antiretroviral therapy increased the likelihood of viral suppression.
A new report by ECDC and WHO reveals that over half of HIV diagnoses in Europe occur at a late stage, leading to poorer health outcomes and increased transmission risks. Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent these outcomes, with improved testing practices and community-based services vital to addressing the issue.
Researchers at USC's Keck School of Medicine identified a human protein that restricts herpes virus replication, potentially preventing cancer. The study mapped healthy cells and those infected by the large DNA virus, shedding light on the disease pathway.
The new guidelines, published in CMAJ, endorse pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) as highly effective strategies to prevent HIV infection. These biomedical interventions should be used alongside behavioral interventions like condoms and risk reduction counseling.
A new Canadian guideline recommends using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and nonoccupational postexposure prophylaxis (nPEP) to prevent HIV infection in high-risk individuals. The strategies are estimated to be cost-effective and may increase access to care.
Scientists at IAVI and TSRI published new findings on HIV-blocking antibodies, shedding light on their development and potential as a vaccine design. The research highlights the importance of understanding how neutralizing antibodies develop to create an optimal vaccine strategy.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise physicians to vaccinate all unvaccinated adults against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and screen high-risk persons. This can help reduce chronic HBV infections, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and premature death.
The American College of Physicians and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend screening at-risk adults, increasing hepatitis B vaccination rates, and linking infected persons to care. This can help reduce transmission and complications associated with chronic hepatitis B infection.
A new model reveals that cooperative contagion processes can lead to more severe spread of infectious diseases, generating abrupt outbreak transitions and multi-stability. This discovery highlights the need for new containment strategies to combat epidemics in realistic systems.
Researchers tested a new vaccination approach in rhesus monkeys, finding that the type and order of administration influenced immune activation. The study showed promise for inducing sustained protective immunity without increasing CD4+ T helper cells.
Researchers have designed second-generation vaginal films that can provide extended release and improve mucoadhesiveness for up to seven days, addressing issues with current HIV prevention methods. These films use a combination of modified natural polymer and functional biopolymer to deliver antiretroviral drugs.
A preclinical study demonstrates the effectiveness of PRO 140, a humanized anti-CCR5 monoclonal antibody, in preventing graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) in bone marrow stem cell transplantation. The study shows that PRO 140 successfully blocked GvHD development without affecting hematopoietic cell engraftment.
Researchers find that certain spellings in HIV and other viruses' genetic codes are critical for replication and infection. The discovery highlights a potential avenue for vaccine development by exploiting this variation.
Researchers have decoded the molecular process of HIV's cell spreading mechanism, a crucial step in understanding how the virus replicates itself. The findings offer new avenues for developing drugs to combat the virus.
Researchers developed a new model of HIV infection in microglia using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology, which will aid in understanding how the virus damages the brain and developing anti-HIV therapies. The model also offers a means to evaluate therapeutic strategies targeting the virus in challenging host cells.
A special issue of PLOS Medicine presents groundbreaking research on HIV prevention, treatment, and cure. Studies reveal improved outcomes with combined interventions aimed at linking patients to care and retention, as well as substantial benefits for people with HIV.