Research on HIV infection and how the virus behaves. Covers viral persistence, prevention policy, adolescent consent, and how HIV infects cells.
Researchers found that early combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) blunts gastrointestinal inflammation and immune activation in acutely infected HIV patients. However, cART did not restore CD4+ T cell counts in the gut, suggesting that earlier therapy may be beneficial but with limited long-term benefits.
Public health experts argue that NHS England should fund PrEP to prevent HIV transmission, comparable to vaccination services. Delays may result in avoidable mortality and increased NHS costs.
Researchers are investigating genetic variations and unconventional T-cells that enable macrophages to resist Mtb infection in HIV-positive individuals. The study aims to identify biomarkers of resistance and novel approaches to TB vaccine and treatment.
A new study found that infants produce broadly neutralizing antibodies within the first year of HIV infection, which could accelerate path to HIV vaccine. The novel antibodies, produced relatively quickly after infection, may improve HIV-vaccine design by mimicking infant immune response.
HIV can enter the nucleus of immune system cells without dividing, a process previously unknown to scientists. By hijacking a motor protein called KIF5B, HIV manipulates the nuclear envelope to create a pathway for entry.
University of Chicago scientists developed a computer model of HIV that gives real insight into how the virus matures and becomes infective. The model reveals critical proteins inside the bud are cut into bits by the enzyme HIV protease, which can be targeted by anti-viral drugs.
A prospective, multinational study investigating virological and immunological changes due to HIV prior to clinical symptoms has identified 112 people with newly acquired infections just days after HIV exposure. The study provides valuable insights into the early stages of HIV infection and its impact on immune defense mechanisms.
Researchers from Oak Crest Institute of Science have demonstrated that a combination of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine delivered via a sustained release intravaginal ring prevents HIV transmission for over four months. The study used a vaginal exposure model in macaques, showing complete protection against HIV infection.
A Phase II trial found that autologous stem cell transplant is effective and safe for HIV patients with relapsed/treatment-resistant lymphoma. Patients with HIV had comparable overall survival rates and reduced toxicity compared to non-HIV patients.
Researchers found that half of people newly infected with HIV experience mild to moderate neurologic issues, which usually resolve after starting anti-retroviral therapy. These findings suggest that HIV affects the nervous system within days of infection.
Scientists at the University of Utah found that delaying the budding of new HIV particles triggers protease to destroy the virus, rendering it non-infectious. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new AIDS treatments with fewer side effects in about a decade.
Researchers at Mount Sinai have shown how infected immune cells directly transmit newly minted viral particles to uninfected sister cells, spreading the virus efficiently. This study highlights cell-to-cell transmission as a key route for HIV spread and may help develop new treatments.
Researchers found that Candida-specific CD4 T cells are more susceptible to HIV infection and preferentially depleted earlier than CMV-specific cells. This sequential dysfunction may lead to the early loss of immune control over mucosal candidiasis in HIV-infected individuals.
Researchers found that fendiline hydrochloride can stimulate patient's own white blood cells to fight cryptococcosis more effectively. The compound may inhibit the survival of Cryptococcus neoformans, a pathogen causing fatal infections in immunocompromised patients.
The USPSTF recommends screening for syphilis in asymptomatic, nonpregnant individuals at increased risk due to high prevalence rates. Early detection and treatment can lead to substantial health benefits, including preventing late-stage disease and transmission of HIV.
Researchers developed a new animal model to test HIV vaccines, combining the envelope of HIV with simian immunodeficiency virus to replicate in monkeys. Changing a single amino acid in the envelope coat protein improved the model's ability to infect monkeys while retaining native-like features.
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.
Two studies found that a significant proportion of British adults, including older adults, have sex with new partners while traveling overseas. The research emphasizes the importance of providing safer sex information in pre-departure travelers' health advice to mitigate risks of sexually transmitted infections.
A study found that antiretroviral therapy alone is not enough to reduce HIV-associated arterial inflammation, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Additional immune-system-modulatory approaches are needed to address this issue.
A UK-based service using DIY home sampling kits and online dating apps has successfully detected over three-quarters of new HIV cases before late-stage infection. The approach catches most men before their infection reaches an advanced stage, making it easier to treat effectively.
A Canadian government-funded study found that sending short, informative text messages to young Kenyan women's phones can significantly reduce the risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The study showed a 67% increase in HIV testing among participants who received weekly texts compared to those in a control group.
Researchers developed a new approach to map HIV's interactome, revealing the complex interactions between viral proteins and host cell machinery. The study provides insights into how viruses like HIV infect and replicate in host cells, shedding light on potential anti-HIV therapies.
Using gene editing technology, Temple researchers successfully excised large fragments of HIV-1 DNA from the genomes of living animals, including transgenic rats and mice. This breakthrough is a significant step towards developing a potentially curative strategy for HIV infection.
A large clinical trial is set to begin in November 2016 to determine the safety and effectiveness of an investigational HIV vaccine regimen. The study, called HVTN 702, will enroll 5,400 adults at risk for HIV infection and assess the regimen's ability to prevent HIV infection among South African adults.
Researchers analyze high-risk individuals and track their HIV status to understand the evolution of symptoms and signs during acute infection. The study reveals a correlation between peak viremia and set-point viremia, establishing a critical window for intervention strategies.
A team of researchers suggests that increasing HCV treatment rates among people with mild disease could reduce transmission, while targeting those with severe disease has little impact. The studies also highlight the importance of increasing HCV treatments to prevent End Stage Liver Disease and related cancers or deaths
Researchers discovered that HIV controllers' CD4+ T cells express specific T cell receptors targeting the HIV capsid protein, enabling sensitive detection and control of viral replication. These findings offer potential for developing immunotherapy strategies to restore antiviral responses in patients with HIV.
PrEP has been estimated to prevent up to 7400 new infections in the UK if made available. Despite strong evidence, those at high risk remain unable to access this important HIV prevention measure.
A new study finds HIV-infected patients are more likely to lack cancer treatment for various cancers, including head and neck, upper gastrointestinal tract, and lung cancers. The disparity remains after adjusting for insurance status and comorbidities.
Researchers found that viral adaptation in HIV can predict a person's current disease status, as well as the degree to which newly transmitted HIV-1 is adapted to their new host. This knowledge can help design more effective vaccines by focusing on parts of the virus that are most difficult to undergo adaptation.
A new skin test called C-Tb has shown high specificity and concordance with interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs), making it a potential alternative for detecting latent TB infection. The test is easy to administer, produces fewer false positives, and may be significantly less expensive than IGRAs, addressing the limitations of curre...
A new study suggests that detecting HIV earlier through screening programs can lead to lower rates of transmission in local epidemics. In San Diego, an acute infection screening program was implemented, resulting in fewer new HIV diagnoses than expected without such testing.
Researchers discovered a new vulnerable site on HIV called the fusion peptide, which has a simpler structure than other sites studied. A broadly neutralizing antibody targeting this site could help prevent HIV infection by binding to key cell-surface molecules.
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.
Researchers found that BST-2 is an important target for viral replication in the brain and that preventing HIV inhibition of this factor may reduce neurocognitive disorders. Mutations in the viral envelope were shown to enhance antagonism of BST-2, leading to efficient viral replication in the CNS.
A Phase 1 clinical trial shows that an antibody-based drug can stimulate patients' immune response, enabling them to make new or better antibodies against HIV. The researchers also found that the antibody was able to engage immune cells and accelerate their clearance of HIV-infected cells.
A study published in PLOS Pathogens found that estradiol, a female sex hormone, enhances anti-viral responses in mice infected with HSV-2. The researchers discovered that estradiol primes dendritic cells to initiate anti-viral T cell immunity, providing protection against STIs.
Researchers found that a potent antibody can evoke a strong immune response in humans and accelerate the clearance of infected cells. The study revealed that administering this antibody to HIV patients can lead to a significant reduction in viral loads.
Despite progress, US HIV infections declined by 11% and transmission rates fell by 17% between 2010 and 2015. However, the country failed to meet President Obama's 25% reduction in new infections and 30% decrease in transmission rate targets.
The US saw an 11% decrease in new HIV infections and a 17% drop in transmission rates from 2010 to 2015. However, the country fell short of its goal to reduce these numbers by 25% and 30%, respectively.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center have developed a method to identify new antimicrobials that target antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Approximately 10,000 compounds were screened, and three approved drugs showed promise in inhibiting the growth of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE).
Researchers have discovered a potential treatment for sepsis and other responses to infection by using tiny doses of a cancer drug. The new treatment may benefit millions worldwide who are affected by infections and pandemics.
Researchers have found that single antibody infusions can protect monkeys against infection with an HIV-like virus for up to 23 weeks. The study used broadly neutralizing antibodies targeting a wide range of HIV strains and showed varying levels of protection depending on the antibody's potency and half-life.
Scientists have identified hundreds of infected cells at different points of initial entry and developed a technology that lights up the location of first cells to be infected. This discovery will enable researchers to develop more effective vaccines against HIV by targeting the primary target of transmission, Th17 cell.
A national PrEP program for injection drug users is cost-prohibitive due to high drug prices, but investing in naloxone therapy, medical insurance, and detoxification programs could prevent HIV infections more effectively. The study suggests that alternative approaches may be a better use of HIV prevention resources.
A recent study by UMass Amherst researchers found that zinc deficiency is associated with chronic inflammation in HIV-positive individuals. Higher serum zinc concentrations were linked to lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a biomarker of inflammation.
Melbourne researchers have identified the genes Hobit and Blimp1, which control a universal molecular program for placing immune cells at the front lines of the body to fight infection and cancer. This discovery has major implications for developing strategies to induce immune cells in tissues that protect against infectious diseases.
A recent study found that HIV infection can lead to an average age acceleration of 4.9 years due to epigenetic changes, increasing the risk of mortality by 19%. The researchers suggest that early intervention and healthy lifestyle choices may help mitigate these risks.
A team of doctors analyzed brain scans of 23 babies born with microcephaly associated with Zika, revealing severe brain damage and abnormalities. The study found extremely severe brain calcification, malformations of cortical development, and delayed myelination in most cases.
Researchers exposed monkeys to SIV, the monkey equivalent of HIV, and found that the virus triggers early host responses that suppress antiviral immunity. This early inflammation promotes viral replication, highlighting the need for effective prevention tools.
A study in monkeys exposed to SIV reveals what happens in the very earliest stages of infection, providing insights into vaccine development and prevention. The findings suggest a narrow window of opportunity to contain or eliminate the virus.
A potentially pan-genotypic combination of ravidasvir and sofosbuvir will be tested in Malaysia and Thailand to treat hepatitis C at a target price of under $300. The treatment, licensed by DNDi, aims to provide an affordable cure for the deadly disease that treats all strains.
A new study suggests that current hepatitis C virus testing guidelines are missing too many cases, particularly among urban emergency department patients. The researchers found that nearly 14% of patients tested positive for HCV, with one-third unaware they were infected.
Scientists at UNC School of Medicine and Sanford Burnham Prebys discovered a human protein, NLRX1, that represses the innate immune response to HIV. This finding provides critical insight into improving HIV antiviral therapies and has implications for cancer treatment.
A preclinical study conducted by Texas Biomed has shown that Mymetics' HIV vaccine candidate generated significant protection in female monkeys, with an efficacy rate of 87%, delaying persistent infection after repeated viral challenges. The study's results suggest a potential breakthrough in developing an effective HIV vaccine.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is conducting two multinational clinical trials to test an investigational anti-HIV antibody called VRC01. The studies aim to determine the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of the antibody in preventing HIV infection.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have isolated antibodies with a loop-like structure that binds tightly to HIV and disables it. The study suggests a new approach to rapidly induce broadly neutralizing antibodies in people who have not been exposed to HIV.
A recent study identifies multiple sexual behaviors associated with prevalent sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Men who engaged in anal stimulation or enema use were nearly five times as likely to test positive for HIV as those who did not.
Temple researchers are investigating novel compounds that activate cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) to prevent HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). The study aims to test the safety and effectiveness of these compounds in cell models and mice with HIV infection.
Researchers at Osel have engineered Lactobacillus jensenii to stably express broadly neutralizing antibody fragments against the HIV-1 virus, offering a cost-effective and long-lasting new barrier to HIV-1 transmission. The engineered bacteria reduced vaginal HIV transmission in a primate animal model by over 63%.