Research on HIV infection and how the virus behaves. Covers viral persistence, prevention policy, adolescent consent, and how HIV infects cells.
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.
Researchers successfully achieved sustained viral remission in rhesus macaques by supplementing antiretroviral drugs with an antibody. The virus remained undetectable for almost two years after withdrawal of treatment, demonstrating a promising potential treatment for HIV.
A 15-year international study found that HIV-1 subtype C, the most dominant form of the virus, is also the slowest to progress to AIDS. This counterintuitive finding challenges Darwinian evolutionary theory.
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 UC Riverside and Riverside University Health System found that late-HIV diagnosed individuals are more likely to transmit the virus to others due to untreated viral loads. This increased risk also leads to negative health outcomes, including premature death and opportunistic infections.
A new study reveals that some HIV-infected children control the virus by activating low levels of immune activation and producing potent antibodies. This differs from adults who develop AIDS despite effective antiretroviral therapy.
New research highlights age-specific approaches for caring for older adults with HIV, addressing late diagnoses, differing side effects, and comorbidities. The study offers tools like the VACS Index to guide personalized care.
A study found consistent differences in antibody structure and function between latent and active TB, which could improve diagnosis and lead to more effective vaccines. The findings also suggest a potential mechanism for controlling TB infection using antibodies.
A study published in PLOS Pathogens found that progesterone treatment reduces influenza infection severity by reducing inflammation and boosting lung cell production of amphiregulin. Progesterone also promotes faster recovery from the infection.
Researchers have successfully developed new approaches to induce HIV-blocking antibodies in mice with human-like immune systems. The studies showed that a prime shot combined with booster shots of immunogens can activate precursor cells to produce neutralizing antibodies, paving the way for future clinical studies.
The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends latent TB infection screening in primary care settings, but challenges remain in identifying high-risk patients. Current tools are insufficient to predict progression from latent to active disease, hindering personalized medicine for those with latent TB infection.
Researchers developed a new mathematical model to predict zoonotic disease outbreaks like Ebola and Lassa fever. The model incorporates spillover and stuttering transmission, enabling more accurate predictions and informing targeted public health strategies.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine receive a $3.7 million NIH grant to identify biomarkers signaling Mtb activity in HIV-infected individuals. The goal is to develop tests that can predict active TB disease progression, optimizing preventive therapy timing and effectiveness.
Researchers at Temple University Health System will investigate the combined impact of tobacco smoke and opiates on HIV-induced tissue damage in brain, lungs, and other organs. The study aims to better understand the pathology of HIV infection and develop new treatments for affected individuals.
Researchers found that nearly a third of HIV's immune target sites were 'pre-adapted' to the newly-infected partner, suggesting vaccine designers focus on conserved viral proteins. The study builds upon previous research using computer models and emphasizes the importance of finding this balance in vaccine development.
A study reveals inadequate laboratory testing capacity and underutilization of existing technologies, limiting the ability to meet global HIV targets. This shortcoming affects countries' capacity to monitor HIV infection and provide antiretroviral therapy.
A study in Vietnam found that invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella (iNTS) infections have a high mortality rate, particularly among HIV-infected adults. iNTS is most commonly diagnosed in men with a history of intravenous drug use and is caused by specific serovars such as S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium.
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 sex worker outreach was associated with increased clinic visits for testing and treatment of HIV, AIDS, and other STIs. Contact with outreach workers speeded up diagnosis and treatment, leading to expected drops in disease rates.
A Danish nationwide register study found hospitalization with infection was associated with a 42% higher risk of suicide death. Individuals with hepatitis and HIV or AIDS had the highest risk, highlighting potential biological factors contributing to suicidal behavior.
A new study from the University of Cincinnati found that 66.9% of college-aged women engaged in unprotected sex during their last encounter involving alcohol. The study suggests that stronger beliefs about alcohol promoting sexual risk-taking and motivation for sex to satisfy personal needs contribute to decreased condom use.
Scientists have discovered a key component of the HIV virus that it uses to infect cells while avoiding detection by the immune system. They identified iris-like pores in the capsid shell that suck in nucleotides needed for replication, explaining why HIV is successful at evading the immune system.
A study found an association between Zika virus infection and arthrogryposis, a joint deformity condition at birth. Children with arthrogryposis and congenital Zika virus syndrome showed signs of brain calcification.
A study published in eLife found no significant difference in the rate of mutations leading to drug resistance between HIV-positive and negative TB patients. HIV co-infection accelerates the development of active TB but does not increase the evolution of multidrug-resistant strains.
A new study published in Nature Medicine found that over 90% of latent HIV 'provirus' genomes are genetic duds, unable to replicate and cause disease. This challenges the current methods for measuring the size of the reservoir, highlighting a need for more accurate counting methods.
Researchers developed a vaccine made from an engineered HSV-2 virus that lacks expression of glycoprotein D, which protects mice from multiple clinical isolates of HSV-1 and HSV-2 infection. Mice rapidly cleared the virus after infection and did not develop long-term latent infections.
A recent study conducted in Tanzania found that an infection with the filarial nematode Wuchereria bancrofti increases the risk of HIV infection by two to three fold. The study revealed a significant association between filarial infections and increased risk of HIV infection, particularly among adolescents and young adults.
A cardiac imaging study showed a correlation between higher inflammatory biomarkers and an increased prevalence of coronary artery disease in men infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Researchers used computed tomography (CT) angiography to detect signs of subclinical CAD, such as narrowed arteries and the amount, density a...
The study highlights the importance of managing pericardial effusions, myocardial disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and other cardiac complications in HIV-infected patients. Clinicians must be aware of these manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment options to improve patient outcomes.
Scientists have discovered specialized killer T cells that can migrate into lymphoid tissue to control hidden infections like HIV and glandular fever. This breakthrough discovery could lead to new therapies to treat chronic infections.
A Tanzanian study has found that people infected with the parasitic worm W bancrofti in areas where HIV is endemic are more likely to acquire HIV. The study, published in The Lancet, suggests that controlling lymphatic filariasis could prevent incident HIV infections among the 120 million people living with this chronic infection.
Researchers developed a new anti-HIV medication called EFdA, which prevents vaginal and oral transmission of HIV in pre-clinical models. The study showed that daily doses of EFdA can prevent HIV infection in mice exposed to high doses of the virus.
Researchers found that early antiretroviral therapy significantly reduces total HIV DNA levels in the body, which may predict time to viral load rebound after treatment cessation. The study suggests that people with a smaller HIV reservoir size have a greater chance of achieving long-term HIV remission.
Valley fever, caused by Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii, affects over 150,000 people annually. Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent unnecessary tests and treatment, reducing the impact of complications. Pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals, and those with diabetes are at high risk for severe outcomes.
A new study by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has confirmed that certain strains of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) can infect human cells, supporting a hypothesis that HIV originated from chimpanzee transmission. The research found that SIV strains with genetic similarities to HIV-1 M were more likely to infect humans.
The ANRS CohMSM study found an annual incidence rate of 4.8% among West African MSM, indicating they are eligible for PrEP. The study also showed a demand for access to follow-up and screening services, with 82% of participants attending their first appointment.
Six Canadian innovations, including a low-cost drill system and an HIV self-test application, will receive $10 million in scale-up funding from Grand Challenges Canada. The projects aim to improve global health in developing countries by providing innovative solutions for diseases such as diarrhea, cervical cancer, and HIV.
Researchers modeled co-evolution of antibodies and viruses to understand conditions for broadly neutralizing antibodies to emerge. They found that presenting the immune system with a large diversity of viral antigens may prompt the emergence of such potent antibodies, which could defeat broad swaths of viral strains.
Researchers found that combining antiretroviral therapy with an immune-enhancing treatment can destabilize viral reservoirs in macaques infected with simian immunodeficiency virus. The treatment, which targets PD-1, boosted anti-viral CD8+ cells and reduced SIV levels in infected monkeys.
The HPTN 073 study found that 79% of participants accepted PrEP, with 62% self-reporting high adherence and drug levels consistent with daily use. This suggests an effective strategy for preventing HIV infection among black MSM in the US.
A special supplement to JAIDS provides critical information on HIV prevalence, risk factors, and prevention strategies for transgender individuals. The research highlights the need for culturally-tailored interventions and emphasizes the importance of understanding epidemiology and behavioral approaches.
A randomized trial in South Africa found that screening at home and immediate antiretroviral treatment reduce HIV transmission, but only 4 out of 10 seropositive people had undetectable viral loads. The study highlights the need to improve entry into healthcare systems for those diagnosed with HIV.
The study confirms on-demand PrEP is a highly effective method of reducing the risk of HIV infection. The results show an incidence rate of 0.19 infections per 100 person-years of follow-up, with a significant drop in condom use among participants.
Global Burden of Disease 2015 analysis shows slow decline in new HIV infections between 2005-2015, with stagnation in recent years. Treatment coverage varies globally, with massive scale-up needed in regions like Middle East and Eastern Europe.
A new study found that the rate of new HIV infections increased in 74 countries between 2005 and 2015, posing significant challenges to ending the AIDS pandemic. Despite progress in lowering AIDS mortality, the pace of decline in new infections has slowed, with only a 0.7% drop per year between 2005 and 2015.
Using a drug-infused vaginal ring most of the time significantly reduced HIV infection risk in women by at least 56 percent, according to an exploratory analysis of data from the ASPIRE study. High adherence was associated with a risk reduction of potentially 75 percent or more.
Research by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health sheds light on the relentless spread of HIV in South African communities, particularly among adolescent girls and young women. The studies found that Prevotella bivia and Gardnerella vaginalis bacteria increase vulnerability to HIV through inflammation and pH imbalance.
The HPTN 052 study found that antiretroviral therapy (ART) provides durable protection against HIV transmission from infected individuals to their uninfected partners. The trial showed a 93% reduction in HIV transmission when ART was started early, with no observed transmission when viral replication was stably suppressed.
Researchers discovered that cells from HIV-infected people with suppressed virus harbor defective HIV DNA that can produce HIV-related proteins. This finding may explain persistent immune activation during suppressive treatment and pose a potential barrier to an HIV cure.
The Lancet report highlights how mass imprisonment of drug users is driving global epidemics of HIV, hepatitis, and tuberculosis. Scaling up opioid substitution therapy in prisons and after release could prevent over a quarter of new HIV infections among injecting drug users.
A daily PrEP pill can reduce new HIV cases among men who have sex with men (MSM) by a third in the US over 10 years if guidelines are followed, according to a modeling study. The medication is highly effective in preventing HIV infection when used consistently.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded $30 million in annual funding to six international collaborations working on an HIV cure. The program aims to address the virus's ability to establish a reservoir in immune cells, making it challenging to develop a cure.
Scientists discover galectin-9 potently forces latent HIV out of hiding and poisons the virus, increasing APOBEC3G levels to destroy genetic code. This 'shock and kill' strategy holds promise for a cure, altering treatment approach to eliminate all viral traces from the body.
Researchers at the University of Oxford have made breakthrough in treating HIV by targeting its dormant cells. A novel protein called ImmTAV has been shown to effectively kill latently infected cells in laboratory conditions.
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.
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.
Research suggests that increasing male circumcision rates and ART coverage significantly reduces new male HIV infections in rural Ugandan communities. Communities with higher circumcision coverage saw a 39% decline in new infections, while those with higher ART coverage among women saw a 23% reduction.
Researchers are working on vaccines that induce broadly neutralizing antibodies to block a wide range of HIV variants, but the body does not readily make an adequate immune response to HIV infection. Efforts to vaccinate individuals with HIV immunogens have not yet been successful due to this issue.
A study of nearly 1,166 HIV serodifferent couples found no documented cases of within-couple HIV transmission during a median follow-up of 1.3 years. The researchers suggest that with eligible couple-years accrued, appreciable levels of risk cannot be excluded, particularly for anal sex.
A new study suggests that despite advances in HIV treatment, the epidemic continues among gay men globally due to inadequate access to preventive measures like PrEP. Stigma and discrimination also play a significant role in the spread of the disease.