Research on HIV infection and how the virus behaves. Covers viral persistence, prevention policy, adolescent consent, and how HIV infects cells.
A research team found that HIV's infectivity is regulated by protein motions, which can be manipulated to inhibit viral replication. By examining the interactions between HIV and host-cell protein cyclophilin A, the team identified a key mechanism for developing new therapeutic interventions.
Late-treatment HIV patients with low CD4 levels progress to AIDS at high rates if immune response isn't recovered. However, if viral load is undetectable and CD4 counts rise above 200, mortality and progression decrease.
A computer simulation model projected that universal HCV testing and treatment in prisons could reduce HCV transmission in the general community, prevent liver-related deaths and cancer, and become highly cost-effective over 30 years. This would benefit not only the prison population but also society as a whole.
Researchers explore new pre-exposure prophylaxis strategies, broadly neutralizing antibodies, and innate antibacterial activity in relation to HIV acquisition. Advances in vaccine development and emerging clinical trial results offer promising near-term strategies for reducing HIV transmission.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has launched a major initiative to advance novel approaches to treat and prevent HIV infections using broadly neutralizing antibodies. Researchers will work with GlaxoSmithKline to develop long-acting agents for preventing and treating HIV.
A study found that providing babies with up to 12 months of liquid formula HIV drugs while breastfeeding with their HIV-positive mothers is highly effective in protecting them from infection. The study showed that rates of HIV infection fell to 0.2% when the drug was taken, and that adherence remained a key factor for success.
A study found that pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) significantly reduced the rate of HIV acquisition, even among those at high risk. Adherence to PrEP was higher among participants with more reported risk behaviors.
A new study by Brown University found that HIV incidence rises significantly in the five years leading up to bloodshed in sub-Saharan Africa. The rate of new infections increases by 2.1 infections per 1000 people a year during this period, compared to times of peace.
Scientists have identified broadly neutralizing antibodies that protect against infection by multiple alphaviruses, including Chikungunya virus. These antibodies block key steps in the viral life cycle and can provide protection against multiple related viruses.
Scientists have developed a novel combination treatment using IL-21 to repair the immune system in HIV-infected individuals. The study found that IL-21 reduced residual inflammation and improved the reconstitution of Th17 and Th22 cells, critical for intestinal immunity.
A new analysis of the iPrEx trial suggests that PrEP is effective in preventing HIV infection among transgender women. However, lower drug levels and reduced adherence rates are observed due to socio-cultural factors, emphasizing the need for tailored delivery models.
Researchers develop 'kick and kill' strategy using Dual-Affinity Re-Targeting molecules to target HIV-infected cells and killer T cells. The study shows that the molecules can induce killing of infected cells and reduce detectable HIV expression in blood cells.
A large-scale study reveals the hepatitis A virus is likely of animal origin, with viruses from small mammals showing similarities to the human virus. The discovery offers new perspectives for risk assessments and may hint at a distant ancestry in primordial insect viruses.
Research in the Netherlands found that persistent HIV transmission clusters, many of which originated before 1996, continue to sustain the epidemic among men who have sex with men. The study highlights the need for new prevention strategies to combat further increases in infection rates.
A computer model developed by Johns Hopkins predicts that strengthening HIV care, including retention in care and increased testing, can avert 752,000 new infections and 276,000 AIDS deaths over 20 years. Enhanced interventions could reduce incidence by 54% and mortality by 64% at a cost-effectiveness ratio of $45,300 per QALY.
A new review outlines findings that hint at the types of immune responses a preventive HIV vaccine may need to induce, including production of antiviral antibodies and CD4+ T cell responses. Many RV144 vaccinees produced antibodies in the IgG family linked to protection against acquiring HIV.
Researchers at NIH have developed a protein that awakens resting immune cells infected with HIV, facilitating their destruction. The protein, VRC07-αCD3, has shown promise in laboratory studies and animal trials, offering new hope for an HIV cure.
A study conducted in Peru suggests that rectal microbicides delivered as enemas or douches could be a promising tool to prevent HIV among men who have sex with men and transwomen. The researchers found that 18% of participants reported rectal douching, primarily for hygiene and pleasure.
Blood T cells are resistant to HIV's primary death pathway, but not lymphoid tissue T cells. The researchers suggest that studying lymphoid tissue T cells could lead to a better understanding of the virus and potentially new treatments.
A recent study published in Nature Medicine has provided crucial insights for the development of a protective HIV vaccine. Researchers identified how changing viral swarms can drive the generation of antibodies able to neutralize diverse HIV strains worldwide.
Researchers found that effective HIV therapy can lower the risk of HBV infection, and vaccination against HBV protects individuals from acquiring a new HBV infection regardless of HIV status. However, vaccination rates remain low among high-risk groups.
A new antiviral compound, GS-5734, has shown 100% survival rate and significant reduction in viral load in infected rhesus monkeys. The compound's ability to block the virus's replication process suggests its potential as a treatment for Ebola virus disease.
A study finds that infections are a common cause of falls among older adults, with urinary tract, bloodstream, and respiratory infections being the most prevalent. The findings suggest that healthcare providers should consider infection as a potential cause of falls in patients, particularly in those with dementia.
The LA BioMed's Catalina Island Clinic has received a $10,000 grant to provide confidential, free, and no-cost reproductive health care services to uninsured women and adolescent girls. The clinic offers a range of services, including family planning, STI testing, and counseling.
A specific species of lactobacillus, Lactobacillus crispatus, appears to play a key role in sustaining the mucus barrier against HIV and other STIs. The study's findings could lead to new strategies for protecting women against HIV.
A UC Riverside-led study found a high prevalence of HPV infection among Peruvian men who have sex with men (MSM), highlighting the need for targeted HPV vaccine delivery. The study suggests that HPV vaccine can be a useful tool in preventing chronic infection and related cancers among sexually experienced individuals.
The 1000 Genomes Project has completed an unprecedented analysis of human genetic variation, providing a comprehensive resource for researchers. The project identified 136 candidates related to diseases, including cancer, and found a cluster of variants involved in successful pregnancy completion.
Researchers at UMass Medical School have discovered two host cell membrane proteins, SERINC5 and SERINC3, that greatly reduce the virulence of HIV-1 by blocking its ability to infect new cells. This breakthrough offers a promising new anti-retroviral strategy for treating HIV-1 and similar viruses.
Researchers from UNIGE and Trento University have deciphered the mechanism by which HIV infectivity is destroyed, revealing a new antiretroviral protein called SERINC5. SERINC5 enhances cell defense against HIV, rendering Nef's ability to neutralize it ineffective.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have developed a new zebrafish model to study Cryptococcal meningitis, allowing for real-time observation of the infection's spread. This model will enable scientists to test drug compounds and identify potential therapeutic targets, offering hope for disrupting this deadly brain infection.
A new bi-specific antibody, DART, has been developed to bind HIV-infected cells to the immune system's killer T cells, potentially clearing HIV infection. The molecule was engineered using HIV-targeting antibodies and showed early promise in pre-clinical models.
University of Missouri researchers have discovered that Interferon Induced Transmembranes (IFITM) proteins can inhibit the transmission of HIV-1, the most common HIV strain. The study found that IFITM proteins specifically interact with the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein and block its maturation, reducing viral infectivity and transmission.
Research suggests that adipose tissue acts as an HIV reservoir, hosting virus-producing cells and contributing to chronic immune activation. The study found similar results in human patients undergoing surgery, highlighting the potential for modulating fat tissue to limit viral persistence and inflammation.
The silicone vaginal ring delivers hydrophilic molecules like tenofovir and acyclovir for extended periods, preventing viral infections such as HIV-1, hepatitis B, and genital herpes. Preliminary results demonstrate its potential to prevent STIs in young women with high risk of exposure.
A team of researchers has identified ERManI as a key protein that prevents HIV-1 replication, providing a potential natural defense against the disease. The discovery could lead to the development of new antiretroviral treatments and promote HIV resistance by increasing ERManI levels.
The Healthy Young Men's Study aims to improve HIV care and prevention among Black, Latino, and multiracial gay and bisexual young men. The 5-year study will investigate the use of new technologies and biomedical interventions to prevent new HIV infections in highly impacted communities.
Researchers at Caltech have identified a broadly neutralizing antibody that can recognize HIV's envelope spike in different conformations, making it easier to detect and neutralize the virus. This discovery could lead to the development of combination therapies to fight HIV, which is currently evolving rapidly.
Researchers found a significant increase in HCV infections among HIV-positive MSM, with the rate of new infections tripling between 1991 and 2010. The study also identified risk factors, including unprotected anal sex and sex while high on non-injected drugs.
Researchers demonstrate how community ecology can provide new analytical tools for understanding diseases and their impacts on multiple hosts and vectors. The approach highlights the need for a broad contextual understanding of diseases and identifies strategies such as managing symbiotic microbial communities and preserving biodiversity.
A Penn study identified immunostimulatory defective viral genomes as a key player in eliciting an immune response against RSV. In human and mouse models, the presence of DVGs was correlated with improved immune function and reduced disease severity.
A study published in AIDS and Behavior found that the D.C. needle exchange program prevented 70% of newly diagnosed HIV cases and saved an estimated $44 million over two years by reducing the need for costly treatment. The program also provided access to health services, including HIV testing and addiction treatment.
Researchers found that DMPA use is associated with an increased risk of HIV infection, especially in women with vaginal infections or disturbed microbiota. The study suggests that hormonal contraceptives can exacerbate the suppression of immune systems, making women more vulnerable to HIV.
A new study found that providing antiretroviral therapy programmes in the workplace can lead to significant cost savings for companies, particularly in South Africa where HIV prevalence is high. The study estimated that annual cost savings would decrease by 5% and average cost per HIV positive employee would decrease by 14%.
Researchers found that infection with multiple founder HIV-1 variants results in significantly higher mean viral loads and poorer clinical outcomes. The study analyzed data from two large HIV vaccine efficacy trials and showed that the number of variants at the beginning of infection affects the setpoint for viral load.
Researchers found that HIV's cell-to-cell transmission is the primary mechanism for massive CD4 T cell death, leading to the progression from HIV to AIDS. Disrupting this transmission effectively stopped cell death.
Research finds that only one in five gay and bisexual teen boys have been tested for HIV due to fears of recognition and lack of knowledge on where to get tested. Testing in schools is proposed as a solution to normalize the process, making it easier for young men to receive lifesaving medical care.
A case-series of eight British healthcare workers who received antiviral-based therapies after possible accidental exposure to Ebola virus in Sierra Leone did not develop the disease. The study suggests that post-exposure prophylaxis may be effective in preventing Ebola infection, and authors call for standardised guidelines to be deve...
Researchers discovered that lentiviruses closely related to HIV have infected primates in Africa as far back as 16 million years. The TRIM5 protein, an antiviral gene, has evolved to protect host cells from infection and provides insight into the evolution of viruses.
Researchers developed two methods to target HIV in semen, using a heat shock protein to break up amyloid fibrils and a small molecule called CLR01 to disrupt fibril formation and disassemble existing ones. These approaches may reduce HIV transmission and have potential for treating other diseases.
Researchers at the University of Melbourne have captured images of immune cells responding to herpes simplex virus using state-of-the-art microscopy. The study reveals the dynamic choreography between killer T cells, helper T cells and dendritic cells as they work together to defeat an infection.
Participants in an agricultural intervention showed improved HIV outcomes, including increased CD4 cell counts and viral suppression rates. The program addressed food insecurity, poverty, and empowerment, demonstrating a potential solution to combat the intertwined issues of HIV/AIDS and food insecurity.
A study found that youth infected with HIV in utero may not have adequate immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella, even if vaccinated. Those who started antiretroviral therapy early were more likely to have protective antibodies against these diseases.
Researchers found that vaccinated monkeys infected with SIV develop high levels of neutralizing antibodies in their blood but are still susceptible to infection. The study's findings challenge the long-held assumption that a protective vaccine only needs moderate antibody levels to neutralize the virus.
A new Johns Hopkins study finds that people infected with hepatitis C virus are at increased risk of cardiovascular damage, independent of HIV. Chronic infection leads to abnormal fat-and-calcium plaques in arteries, a common precursor to heart attacks and strokes.
Researchers constructed an atomic model of an immature retrovirus, revealing key structural features and a six-helix bundle domain that may be a target for blocking the virus. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new anti-retroviral drugs.
Researchers found that nearly 25% of female sex workers entered the sex trade before age 18, and six percent tested positive for HIV. Adolescents were more likely to experience violence, have multiple clients per day, and not use condoms, increasing their risk of infection.
A study in northern Mexican cities found that over a quarter of female sex workers entered the sex trade as minors, increasing their risk for HIV infection and violence. Those entering at an adolescent age were more likely to experience these risks compared to those who entered as adults.
Scientists will develop an implantable drug delivery system to deliver antiretroviral drugs, providing protection against HIV infection for up to a year. The project aims to improve upon current methods of prevention, which have low adherence rates.
Researchers have found two combination treatments that effectively reactivated latent HIV in cells, providing novel opportunities for advancing HIV eradication strategies. Ingenol-3-angelate and PEP005, combined with JQ1, showed a 7.5-fold increase in viral reactivation compared to PEP005 alone.
The HVTN 505 study found that the candidate vaccine induced polyreactive antibodies recognizing both HIV and intestinal microbes. These non-specific antibodies may decrease vaccine effectiveness against HIV.