Research on HIV infection and how the virus behaves. Covers viral persistence, prevention policy, adolescent consent, and how HIV infects cells.
UMass Medical School scientists are developing a novel technology using CRISPR gene editing to excise latent HIV virus from infected cells. The goal is to create a functional cure by precisely cutting the DNA of the latent virus out of an infected cell.
Researchers found a potent antibody, 3BNC117, can dramatically reduce viral loads in HIV-infected individuals by catching the virus off guard. The treatment was well-tolerated and effective, with some individuals experiencing sustained reductions in viral loads.
A single infusion of the experimental 3BNC117 antibody significantly reduced HIV levels in infected individuals, with some remaining sensitive to the antibody for up to 28 days. The study's findings suggest that 3BNC117 is safe and potentially effective in controlling HIV levels.
A national survey of US healthcare providers found that fewer than half were 'very likely' to prescribe PrEP to high-risk patients. Concerns included daily pill regimen, regular follow-up care, effectiveness, and side effects. Despite strong evidence supporting PrEP use, cost remains a significant issue.
A new model for HIV progression finds that it spreads in a similar way to some computer worms, predicting early treatment is key to preventing AIDS. The model shows that cell-to-cell transfer is an important part of HIV spread and that completely blocking this mechanism could prevent progression to AIDS.
A recent NIH-funded study found that HIV can genetically evolve and replicate in the brain within four months of infection, with signs of inflammation or viral replication present in up to 30% of infected patients. The study suggests that early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent potential brain damage.
Researchers identified HIV replication in the brain as early as four months post-infection, with 20% of participants exhibiting central nervous system (CNS) replication. This finding highlights the importance of routine HIV testing and prompt initiation of antiretroviral therapy to prevent neurocognitive impairment.
A new study published in the journal AIDS found that for most children with HIV and low immune cell counts, cells rebound after treatment. The researchers analyzed data from over 3,700 children infected with HIV before or during birth and found that 86% of children achieved normal CD4+ counts within one year of treatment.
Researchers found that blocking two pathways, PGE2 and PD-1, boosts T-cell function and enhances viral control in mice with chronic infections. Celecoxib, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, was also shown to improve T-cell responses.
IU scientists have discovered a new way the parasite Toxoplasma gondii modifies brain cells, which may help explain changes in the behavior of mice and potentially influence human behavior. The findings suggest that Toxoplasma infection could alter human behavior, with some research suggesting an association with schizophrenia.
A study by University of Cambridge researchers found that closely-related fruit fly species show similar levels of virulence when infected with an RNA virus. The team's findings suggest a simple rule of thumb: if a pathogen causes high levels of mortality in one host, it may also be deadly in closely-related hosts.
A new study finds that recently infected individuals with HIV are not as likely to infect others as previously estimated, suggesting a potential impact on Treatment as Prevention programs. The researchers used two approaches to estimate acute phase infectivity and found estimates to be significantly lower than previous studies.
Researchers estimate that newly infected individuals with HIV are less likely to spread the virus to others during the acute phase of infection, which may improve strategies to control HIV's spread. This finding bolsters the approach of treating patients with antiretroviral drugs before the onset of AIDS to prevent transmission.
A study published in Nature Reviews Immunology reveals a 'window of vulnerability' for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to infect the female reproductive tract. The researchers found that hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle create an optimal environment for implantation, which also increases susceptibility to STIs.
A Gombe Stream National Park study reveals that people are likely exposing endangered primates to Cryptosporidium, a parasite that may be contributing to their decline. The researchers found that some chimpanzees are infected with a species of Cryptosporidium associated with pigs, suggesting cross-species contamination.
Researchers created a CRISPR system that recognizes and cuts the HIV virus, effectively inactivating it. The technology has shown success in both treating active infections and removing dormant copies of the virus from cells.
Researchers developed a non-invasive method to image SIV replication in real-time, allowing capture of viral dynamics and identification of novel sites of replication. The approach has broad application to studying immunodeficiency virus pathogenesis and potential use in human patients to identify viral reservoirs.
The NIH-led ASCEND study assesses the effectiveness of primary care physicians and nurse practitioners in treating people with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The trial aims to determine whether these medications are similarly effective when administered in an urban, community-based setting.
Scientists at the Gladstone Institutes found that HIV remains active as infected cells transition to rest, controlled by the virus's Tat protein. This independent control allows the virus to survive even if host cells are inactive, making it harder to cure the infection.
Researchers from Gladstone Institutes challenge conventional theory on HIV latency, proposing it's an evolutionarily advantageous survival tactic. The study reveals the virus controls its own on/off switch through protein Tat, enabling it to evade eradication by antiretroviral therapies.
A study estimates that undiagnosed HIV individuals and those diagnosed but not in medical care accounted for over 90% of the estimated 45,000 HIV transmissions in 2009. These individuals were 19-94% less likely to transmit HIV than those with viral suppression.
A new molecule called eCD4-Ig has shown promise in controlling HIV without daily antiretroviral drugs. The molecule, developed by NIH-funded scientists, safely protected monkeys from infection with an HIV-like virus during a 40-week study period.
Two new NIH-supported trials are examining the safety and acceptability of antiretroviral medicines administered via injection to prevent HIV infection. The studies aim to improve adherence and provide a potential alternative to daily pills for individuals at high risk.
HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) has initiated two phase 2 studies to evaluate the safety and acceptability of long-acting injectable antiretroviral drugs, a promising advancement in HIV prevention. The studies aim to provide an alternative to daily oral PrEP pills, which have shown limitations in some trials.
Researchers confirm how viral reservoirs form in patients living with HIV and prove effective in animal trials at blocking pathways to those reservoirs in the brain and gut. Natalizumab, a humanized antibody, effectively blocks monocyte traffic, reversing lesions on the central nervous system.
A new study found that fast-replicating HIV strains lead to more signs of acute inflammation and faster disease progression. The strain's replicative capacity affects immune system disruption and can inform vaccine development and eradication strategies.
Researchers at KU Leuven's Laboratory for Clinical and Epidemiological Virology have identified a recombinant form of HIV that targets the anchor point CXCR4 early after infection, shortening the healthy phase and triggering rapid progression to AIDS. The study found abnormally high doses of the virus and defensive molecule RANTES in i...
Researchers at Temple University will examine how cocaine and HIV-1 interact to cause brain impairment in patients infected with HIV-1. The study aims to determine where to focus potential treatments to disrupt this damaging pathway.
A new study found that HIV penetrates the blood-brain barrier by relying on proteins expressed by mature monocytes. These proteins could serve as a target for preventing HIV from reaching brain cells. The research aims to shed light on novel mechanisms for improving drug delivery to the brain.
Researchers found that latent HIV likely resides in long-lived memory cells that help the immune system remember pathogens. The study suggests these cells are the source of the virus's hidden reserves, which could lead to a possible cure for HIV.
A study published in The Lancet HIV reports that an HIV testing campaign in Kenya's Bunyala subcounty yielded over 1,300 new diagnoses, with only 15% of newly diagnosed individuals seeking care. Home-based counseling and testing provided a diagnosis to nearly 40% of people living with HIV who otherwise would not have sought testing.
The global AIDS community must adopt more specific and focused approaches to meet the 90-90-90 targets, which aim to eliminate AIDS by 2020. This involves identifying at-risk subpopulations, tailoring prevention tools to each population's risk profile, and developing innovative solutions.
A meta-analysis of 18 studies found that injectable progestin DMPA is associated with a 50% higher risk of HIV infection among African women. In contrast, other hormonal contraceptives showed no significant increased risk.
Long-acting cabotegravir injections have been shown to be highly protective against vaginal transmission of a virus similar to HIV in two studies involving female monkeys. The drug's potential to improve adherence and offer an additional option for HIV prevention has sparked hope among researchers.
Researchers found that vaccines eliciting only CD4 T cell responses led to an overwhelming inflammatory reaction in mice, while those with both CD4 and CD8 responses were protected. This study cautions against developing vaccines that solely target one arm of the immune system.
A new $1.6-million grant will support a project aimed at improving coordination between health systems and community services to retain more men in HIV care. The research focuses on the specific challenges faced by South African men, including lower testing rates and adherence to treatment.
A meta-analysis of 12 studies found that women using Depo-Provera had a moderate 40% increased risk of acquiring HIV compared to non-hormonal methods. The study's findings have significant implications for women worldwide who use hormonal contraception.
A meta-analysis of 12 studies involving over 39,500 women found a moderate increase in HIV risk associated with DMPA use, with no increased risk for oral contraceptive pills or other hormonal methods. The study highlights the need for further research on high-risk groups
A study found that deworming medications reduced individual deaths from bovine tuberculosis but increased the potential for disease spread to other animals. The research suggests that treatments that aid an individual could come at the expense of a wider spread of disease in the larger community.
A study of African buffalo found that de-worming drastically improves an animal's chances of surviving bovine tuberculosis. However, this treatment allows infected animals to continue spreading TB within the herd, leading to unexpected negative consequences for the population as a whole.
Researchers discover that HIV's ability to mutate beyond recognition evades the immune system. A new study finds that training killer T cells to recognize unaltered viral protein segments can reawaken the natural killer instinct, killing 61% of HIV-infected cells.
Scientists successfully killed HIV-infected cells using a new technique that boosts killer T-cell response. The method could be used as part of an HIV cure strategy by awakening latent immune cells and generating an immune response.
A team of Yale and Johns Hopkins researchers identified a strategy to stimulate killer T cells to target and destroy infected cells harboring dormant viruses. The study suggests that directing CTL responses to unaltered pieces of virus may be the future direction for developing a therapeutic vaccine to clear HIV.
In a unique account, Timothy Ray Brown describes his experience as the first person cured of HIV through a stem cell transplant. He shares the details of the bold experiment that used a donor resistant to HIV infection. The 'Berlin patient' offers a rare glimpse into the human side of this groundbreaking treatment.
Vaccines targeting HIV can backfire and lead to increased infection rates if they activate too many viral target cells. A recent primate model study found that higher levels of activated CD4+ T cells in mucosal tissues were associated with an increased risk of infection.
Researchers have identified how PF74 and CPSF6 molecules bind to HIV-1's capsid, preventing its disassembly. This process can be targeted for therapeutic purposes in HIV-1 infections, potentially blocking viral replication.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine propose that cell-associated HIV transmission is an important element contributing to the HIV epidemic, challenging traditional views on virus transmission. Genetic evidence suggests that HIV-infected cells populate genital secretions and breast milk, providing a new target for HIV ...
A study by University of Utah researchers found a unique mechanism used by the Ebola virus and other related viruses to replicate. The discovery, which was made possible through computer simulations, may lead to new targets for antiviral drugs within five to 10 years.
A new study published in Neurology eliminated hepatitis C virus as a cause of mental impairment in HIV patients. The research, conducted by a team of scientists at Washington University School of Medicine, involved 1,582 HIV patients and found no evidence that hepatitis C infection affects the brain.
Ebola survivors can donate blood, care for sick patients, and generate community-based responses. Employing trained survivors as caregivers could also provide a source of income.
Researchers at LA BioMed have developed a novel vaccine, NDV-3, that can protect against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin infections. The vaccine enhances molecular and cellular immune defenses of the skin in response to MRSA and other S. aureus bacteria.
A UCLA study suggests targeting 'hot zones' in sub-Saharan Africa could significantly reduce the spread of HIV. The research found that focusing on areas with higher risk of infection would prevent 40% more new infections than traditional strategies, making it a cost-effective approach.
A new study found an effective treatment approach to inhibit latent herpes simplex viruses from reactivating and causing disease. The research used existing drugs, such as tranylcypromine, to block proteins involved in viral replication, reducing symptoms and shedding of the virus.
Research suggests that HIV's rapid evolution is slowing its ability to cause AIDS, while access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) enables infected individuals to progress more slowly. The study found that HIV adaptation to the immune system comes at a cost, making the virus less virulent.
Researchers have developed a low-cost, electricity-free device capable of detecting HIV-1 DNA using a small scale chemical reaction. The NINA system can detect infection at an early stage, allowing for immediate treatment and reducing the risk of loss to follow-up.
A multidisciplinary team from UTMB will lead projects to determine the drug safety and efficacy of an antiretroviral-releasing intravaginal ring. The project aims to develop a device that can deliver multiple-drug combinations of HIV antiretroviral drugs, which is crucial for preventing the spread of sexually transmitted HIV in women.
A new study reveals that targeting specific immune cells in the gut can reduce the risk of HIV transmission by 2.7 times. The findings suggest that existing drugs for inflammatory bowel diseases could be effective in treating or preventing HIV infection.
Research shows that starting HIV therapy soon after infection significantly reduces the risk of developing AIDS and improves immune function, particularly when treatment is initiated within 12 months of seroconversion. A normal CD4+ T-cell count above 800 cells per cubic millimeter is crucial for reconstituting immune-fighting cells.
A new study suggests that starting HIV treatment within a year of seroconversion can improve immune health by increasing CD4+ T-cell count. Researchers found that an HIV-infected person's CD4+ T-cell count is more likely to return to normal if treatment starts within a year and at a CD4+ T-cell count of 500 or more.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) within 12 months of estimated dates of seroconversion (EDS) improves the likelihood of restoring CD4+ T-cell counts. Patients who initiated ART after 12 months had lower CD4 normalization rates and increased risk of AIDS.