Research on HIV infection and how the virus behaves. Covers viral persistence, prevention policy, adolescent consent, and how HIV infects cells.
A study by Stanford University School of Medicine researchers found a strong association between high diversity among natural killer cells and increased likelihood of subsequent HIV infection. The findings could lead to the development of blood tests flagging individuals' susceptibility to viral infection.
A US study found that most participants in an NIH-funded study took anti-HIV medication for PrEP, a strategy for HIV prevention. The study enrolled 557 men who have sex with men and transgender women at high risk for HIV infection, and showed moderate adherence to Truvada-based oral PrEP.
A clinical study found that young, single black women in South Africa and men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) in the US and Thailand adhered to a daily pill regimen for HIV prevention. The study suggests that daily PrEP dosing is an effective strategy for this population.
Dr. Fauci emphasizes the need for targeted deployment of proven prevention methods to high-transmission areas, while also reviewing effective interventions such as ART, PrEP, and treatments that prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission.
Researchers at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have developed a novel treatment regimen that effectively treats hepatitis C virus (HCV) in patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV), with a 97% success rate
Research found that enhanced cholesterol metabolism in certain immune cells may help explain why some HIV-infected people naturally control disease progression. The study analyzed gene expression data from immune cells and found higher levels of cholesterol-related genes associated with defective viral transmission.
Researchers have found that altered cholesterol metabolism in certain immune cells may help some people with HIV naturally control disease progression. This discovery was made possible by using 30 years of data and biologic specimens collected through the NIH-funded Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute aim to suppress HIV in latently infected cells using a novel antiviral target and a molecule called didehydro-Cortistatin A. The new approach has the potential to reduce the size of the latent reservoir pool of HIV.
Researchers discovered HIV exploits regulatory process between BST2 and ILT7 to limit antiviral response, allowing virus to spread and persist in long-lasting reservoirs. Blocking Vpu's action could prevent early viral expansion and dissemination, enabling pDCs to trigger effective antiviral responses.
The RV144 HIV vaccine trial found that host genetics influenced the immune response, with specific HLA alleles modulating antibody responses. This discovery could inform the development of more effective next-generation vaccines.
A new study by St. Michael's Hospital found that community-based HIV prevention programs in Ontario avert over 16,000 infections and save approximately $6.5 billion in treatment costs. The study also showed that these programs are cost-effective, providing valuable insights for health planners and policy decision-makers.
Researchers characterize immune proteins that recognize and eliminate virus, providing insight into developing a potent Nab response against different HIV subtypes. Studies examine the efficacy of Nabs in blocking direct cell-to-cell transmission of HIV, highlighting the importance of controlling virus replication via this pathway.
A new study published in mBio shows that Cortistatin A significantly inhibits viral replication and reduces residual virus levels in infected dormant cells, establishing a near-permanent state of latency.
A pre-clinical study of an HIV vaccine regimen showed complete protection from infection in half of the vaccinated non-human primates. The 'heterologous prime-boost' vaccine approach is being evaluated in a phase 1/2a clinical trial for safety and immunogenicity in healthy volunteers.
Research from the University of Cambridge found that exhausted immune cells are bad news for infections, but good news for autoimmune diseases like lupus and Crohn's disease. The study suggests that targeting T cell exhaustion could lead to more effective treatments for these conditions.
A new study suggests that less than 1% of diagnosed acute hepatitis C cases met CDC reporting criteria, indicating massive underreporting in the public health surveillance system. This finding is crucial for guiding public health initiatives and planning for future needs, as accurate estimates are essential for targeting resources.
Researchers at SLU's Center for Vaccine Development are studying gamma/delta T cells, a subset of T cells that recognize and fight TB. The goal is to develop a novel vaccine that could significantly reduce TB infection and disease.
A study in Botswana found that each additional year of secondary school lowers the risk of HIV infection by 8 percentage points, particularly for women. The research suggests that secondary schooling could be a cost-effective way to reduce HIV transmission and has large benefits beyond HIV prevention.
A study from Botswana suggests that longer secondary schooling can significantly lower the risk of HIV infection, with women benefiting most. The researchers found that pupils who stayed in school for an extra year had an 8 percentage point lower risk of HIV infection about a decade later.
In a commentary published in The New England Journal of Medicine, two experts argue that lifting federal funding bans for needle exchange programs is crucial to protect the health of injection drug users. Needle exchanges can significantly reduce HIV transmission by providing clean needles and promoting opioid replacement therapies.
The report highlights the urgent need to scale up AIDS efforts, get serious about HIV prevention, and continue expanding access to treatment in countries most affected by HIV. The Commission recommends increasing resources for HIV prevention, treatment, and research, as well as robust governance and accountability.
A new study found that certain immune responses may play a role in blocking systemic HIV infection after exposure. T-cell responses against specific HIV-1 antigens were significantly higher and more frequent among those who remained uninfected compared to those who became infected, associated with reduced risk of infection.
Scientists have established a model for latent HIV infection of brain cells and identified various compounds that can affect latency. The study aims to develop new therapeutic approaches to silence the virus in brain cells, which could improve clinical care for HIV-1 patients.
Researchers used humanized mice to study the effects of cocaine on immune systems, finding that cocaine makes people more susceptible to HIV infection. The study suggests that cocaine blunts the body's defense against the virus and increases the pool of cells that can become infected.
Researchers have made significant progress toward developing an HIV vaccine by stimulating animals to produce broadly neutralizing antibodies. The studies, funded by NIAID, demonstrate techniques for producing antibodies that can stop HIV from infecting human cells or evolve into such antibodies.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles discovered two new locations in HIV's genetic code that affect the virus's ability to infect cells, influencing disease progression. The study found that slight genetic changes to the C2 region and bridging sheet of gp120 molecule can alter receptor usage.
Scientists have identified a type of sugar produced by Gram-negative bacteria called heptose as the trigger for an immune response in patients with gonorrhea. This discovery could lead to the development of new therapies that use the immune system to fight infections instead of antibiotics.
Researchers found that elite HIV controllers' dendritic cells are better able to detect and respond to HIV, producing higher levels of immune-boosting proteins. This unique ability allows them to generate powerful T-cell responses against the virus, which may help others control or even cure HIV without treatment.
A study found that dendritic cells in elite HIV controllers can detect early signs of HIV infection and trigger a powerful immune response. This ability helps to control the virus, suggesting new avenues for preventative or therapeutic interventions.
Uruguayan researchers have observed the three-dimensional structure of the capsid of Bovine Leukemia Virus (BLV) with high resolution, revealing its flexibility and key regions. This breakthrough can lead to new antiviral medicines for diseases caused by retroviruses.
Cornell University engineers have developed a synthetic immune organ that produces antibodies and can be controlled in the lab. The organoid mimics the anatomical microenvironment of lymphoid tissue, converting B cells into germinal centers and activating them at rapid rates.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center identified an antibody response that confers protection against HIV transmission from infected mothers. The study found a strong antibody response to the HIV envelope third variable loop, which was previously considered inadequate for protection.
Over 30 years of data from San Francisco shows improved survival rates for AIDS patients, but a third still die within five years after initial opportunistic infection. Better prevention and treatment strategies are crucial to address lingering mortality risks.
Researchers at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute have discovered a protein called polyglutamine-binding protein 1 (PQBP1) that recognizes HIV and initiates an immune response. The study suggests that designing a drug mimicking the PQBP1-HIV interface could create an effective vaccine environment, potentially preventing infection.
A study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine suggests that PD-1 does not directly cause T cell exhaustion. Instead, it helps regulate the balance between different T cell types, preserving a 'reserve force' that can fight on later. This finding has implications for cancer and antiviral therapies.
Virologists discovered that a small section of the envelope protein, located on its 'tail', is required for it to be sorted into viral particles. This finding could help researchers design more effective vaccines and target HIV with antiviral drugs.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center identified an enzyme involved in protecting the body from pathogens that senses Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The study found that modulating cGAS activity could be a novel approach to therapy, and cGAMP may be used as a biomarker for active disease.
A new study at the University of Maryland found that online hookup sites like Craigslist increase HIV infection rates in Florida, with African Americans accounting for 63% of new cases. The study also found that wealthier individuals and women were more susceptible to HIV transmission through online platforms.
Scientists have identified a gene variant in wild chimpanzees that encodes an HIV-fighting protein, suggesting that hominids have been fighting off HIV-like viruses for at least five million years. The discovery could yield insights into biological and pharmaceutical applications to enhance HIV-infected people's survival.
Researchers found that a viral co-infection with Epstein-Barr virus can suppress the immune response to malaria in mice, leading to severe anemia. The study suggests that similar effects may occur in humans, particularly young children living in malaria-endemic areas.
HIV reservoirs are persistent cells that harbor the virus, making it difficult to achieve a cure; current therapeutic strategies focus on eliminating or controlling the virus without daily ART.
Research finds that socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity are key drivers of HIV seroconversion among young men who have sex with men. Younger age at sexual debut is also associated with a greater likelihood of HIV seroconversion.
Research reveals that diverse bacterial communities in healthy South African women's genital tracts are associated with elevated levels of inflammatory proteins, increasing the risk of HIV infection. The study found that these communities were more than four times as likely to have elevated genital inflammatory cytokines.
A new test developed by a UCL-led team can identify drug-resistant tuberculosis strains in days, reducing the time needed for genetic sequencing from weeks to days. This could lead to better treatment outcomes and control of transmission.
Researchers discovered that certain bacteria can block their own growth and that of resistant mutants, providing a potential new strategy to combat antibiotic resistance. This finding could lead to improved treatments for infections caused by resistant bacteria.
Researchers found macrophages accumulate in different parts of the brain during HIV infection, leading to neurological damage. The study provides new insights into the timing and dynamics of white blood cell traffic in the central nervous system.
Researchers from Penn Medicine and the Perelman School of Medicine will engineer T cells to be resistant to HIV-1 infection using a new gene therapy approach. The project aims to make more CD4 T cells resistant to the virus, re-invigorating the immune response.
A new study has found high levels of hepatitis C (HCV) infection across Africa, particularly in people infected with HIV. The report, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, found that around three per cent of people in sub-Saharan Africa have been infected with HCV infection, rising to 5.7 per cent in individuals with HIV.
A new approach to fighting HIV has been discovered by researchers at the University of Montreal, who identified a way to use a tiny molecule to 'open up' the virus and expose its vulnerable parts. This breakthrough could lead to the design of a vaccine to prevent transmission and potentially one day eradicate the virus.
A new study found that patients with AIDS have a four-fold increase in the risk of developing intermediate-stage age-related macular degeneration, compared to those without HIV. The study suggests that chronic immune activation and systemic inflammation may contribute to this increased risk.
Researchers report a rare case of a patient with HIV/AIDS who developed cerebral vasculitis and hemorrhagic stroke due to reactivated varicella-zoster virus. This highlights the need for healthcare providers to consider this potential complication in patients with compromised immune systems.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine study found that nearly 14% of chlamydia infections and over 30% of gonorrhea infections in women would be missed with standard genital-only screening. Extragenital rates were significant, particularly among younger women.
Researchers found that people tend to seek information on HIV-related topics at the beginning of the week and engage in risky behaviors on weekends. Implementing interventions based on these patterns could lead to better outcomes, including improved ART adherence and increased testing.
A recent study published in The International Liver Congress shows that alcohol use disorders are a stronger predictor of mortality than chronic hepatitis C virus infection, especially when severe comorbidities are present. AUDs were found to be associated with higher mortality risks across all hospital subgroups.
A 12-week oral regimen of once-daily single tablet grazoprevir/elbasvir is effective and well-tolerated in treatment-naive patients infected with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes 1, 4 or 6. Preliminary results show that 299 out of 316 patients achieved a sustained virologic response at 12 weeks.
Researchers at Yale University found that men with HIV infection are more sensitive to the effects of alcohol than uninfected men. On average, HIV-infected individuals get a buzz from imbibing just a quarter less of a drink than others.
Researchers have developed a combination treatment using an antiviral and anti-cancer drug that has proven 100% successful in eliminating hepatitis B virus infections in preclinical models. The treatment targets the cell signalling pathways used by the virus, causing infected cells to die.
San Diego State University researchers have developed a platform to identify drugs that interrupt viral proliferation, using dengue virus as an example. A novel drug, Thiostrepton, was identified which may someday be used to combat the disease.
Researchers developed a lab-on-a-chip device that can diagnose Cryptosporidium infections in as little as 10 minutes, offering potential improvements in treatment outcomes for rural areas in China. The device is easy to use and has diagnostic capabilities comparable to current standards, with the potential to reduce costs and timeframe.
Researchers have been focusing on long-term solutions, but Levy argues that new approaches are needed to prevent infection and disease. He highlights six questions that deserve more attention, including the role of innate immune response, CD8+ T cells, and strategies for an HIV vaccine and cure.