Research on HIV infection and how the virus behaves. Covers viral persistence, prevention policy, adolescent consent, and how HIV infects cells.
Researchers investigated how HIV infection affects semen bacteria and immune response, finding a link between higher viral loads and increased bacterial and cytokine levels. This discovery could lead to new ways to control the spread of HIV by targeting semen bacteria.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that two B-cell lineage antibodies teamed up to stimulate broadly neutralizing antibodies in people with HIV infection. This cooperative mechanism may lead to a global vaccine strategy by inducing high levels of such antibodies in approximately 20% of individuals with HIV infection.
A study by University of Cincinnati researchers found that combination antiretroviral therapy can reduce HCV viral loads and liver injury in HIV patients co-infected with HCV. This approach supports the concept of early and uninterrupted HIV therapy to prevent liver disease in individuals with HCV/HIV infection.
A major new Series on HIV and sex workers published in The Lancet concludes that decriminalizing sex work is crucial for controlling the HIV pandemic. Decriminalization could avert at least a third of HIV infections among sex workers and their clients, while reducing sexual violence and improving access to healthcare.
Researchers report that SIV can become entrenched in tissues fewer than 3 days after infection, establishing a permanent reservoir. Early antiretroviral therapy showed limited effectiveness in preventing this establishment.
Scientists have discovered that the HIV viral reservoir is established remarkably early after infection, posing new challenges for its eradication. The study found that the reservoir was seeded in tissues within days of infection, before detectable virus was present in the blood.
The guidelines, developed by an expert volunteer panel, integrate cutting-edge biomedical advances with evidence-based behavioral interventions for the care of people living with HIV or at high risk for infection. The recommendations include a call for antiretroviral therapy and pre-exposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV transmission.
A study published in JAMA found that HIV-infected patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection who received a combination of sofosbuvir plus ribavirin achieved high rates of sustained HCV virologic response after therapy cessation. The treatment showed promise for coinfection, which affects up to 7 million worldwide.
A study found that receiving antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) during pregnancy did not result in significant differences in pregnancy incidence, birth outcomes, and infant growth compared to those who received placebo. The study's findings suggest uncertainty regarding the safety of PrEP therapy prior to pregnancy.
A study funded by the Wellcome Trust found that offering adults in Malawi optional home initiation of HIV care following self-testing increased ART uptake. The results show a significant increase in population-level ART initiations, highlighting the potential of home-based care to improve HIV prevention and treatment.
A study found that HIV-infected patients with excess abdominal fat experienced modest reductions in liver fat after receiving tesamorelin, a growth hormone-releasing hormone analog. The treatment also led to significant decreases in abdominal fat accumulation.
A cluster randomized trial in Malawi found that adults who received home HIV self-testing were more likely to report positive results and initiate antiretroviral therapy. The study's main finding is that population-level ART initiations increased significantly with the availability of home initiation of care.
A new algorithm-based method uses EMR data to identify patients with newly diagnosed HIV infection, improving clinical outcomes. The method was validated and tested on patients undergoing HIV testing from 2006-2012.
A study published in JAMA reveals that physicians have difficulty recognizing the presence or absence of early HIV infection through clinical exam alone. Routine HIV testing is crucial for early detection and treatment, which can greatly reduce mortality and transmission.
Researchers have found that viral protein sequences matching a consensus sequence are more likely to be transmitted than those that deviate from the consensus. This 'fitness bottleneck' effect allows for a window of opportunity to prevent or limit infection using drugs or vaccines. The study suggests that targeting infected cells for k...
The Mississippi baby, who was thought to be functionally cured of HIV, has developed detectable levels of the virus after over two years without treatment. Researchers are now working to understand what factors enabled the child's prolonged remission and how to extend it.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have discovered a peptide in semen that enhances HIV infection by up to 10,000 times. The findings suggest that healthy epithelial cells are resistant to the toxicity of these protein enhancers.
New estimates suggest that over 650,000 children develop TB annually in high-burden countries, with India accounting for 27% of the total burden. The study highlights an enormous opportunity for preventive antibiotic treatment among exposed children to reduce the number of cases.
Conflict affects all aspects of reproductive health, including gender-based violence, maternal mortality, and HIV transmission. Clinicians in conflict-affected areas face significant challenges in providing timely care due to scarce services and poor security conditions.
A new meta-analysis of 10 studies found that less than 10% of people infected with hepatitis C are cured, while only 50% were diagnosed and aware of their infection. The study highlights the need for improved screening efforts and increased access to treatment, particularly for baby boomers who may not be aware they have the disease.
The American College of Physicians recommends against routine pelvic examinations for asymptomatic, average-risk non-pregnant women due to the lack of demonstrated benefit and potential harms. In contrast, the guideline suggests Pap smear screening without a bimanual examination, recommending visual inspection of the cervix, cervical s...
A recent study published in PLOS ONE reveals that herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) co-infection significantly contributes to the spread of HIV among non-injecting drug users in New York City. The research found a notable increase in HIV infection rates among this demographic, with over half of participants infected with HSV-2.
A study by Maricopa Integrated Health System found that nearly one-quarter of ER patients with confirmed HIV diagnosis have acute infections and over one-quarter have advanced to AIDS. The results emphasize the importance of early detection and interventions to extend life and minimize transmission risk.
The global HIV epidemic has seen significant reductions in new infections and AIDS-related deaths thanks to advancements in prevention strategies such as clean needles and condom use, and effective treatment that reduces infectiousness.
Men who have sex with men (MSM) tend to underestimate their HIV risk due to a lack of knowledge about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Effective options like PrEP can prevent HIV infection, but MSM often miss out on this treatment. Adhering to daily PrEP and using condoms can slow the transmission of HIV.
Substantial levels of HIV transmission are emerging among people who inject drugs in the Middle East and North Africa, with an estimated 626,000 individuals infected. High rates of HIV infection and hepatitis C virus among this population highlight the need for expanded harm-reduction programs and surveillance systems.
A US study suggests that smartphone apps pose a higher risk of gonorrhoea and chlamydia among gay men, who are more likely to engage in unprotected sex with anonymous partners. The study found that app users were 23% more likely to be infected with gonorrhoea and 35% more likely to be infected with chlamydia.
Researchers at MGH and Ragon Institute identified how p21, a tumor suppressor protein, blocks HIV reverse transcription in CD4 T cells. This mechanism contributes to the natural control of HIV infection in elite controllers without drug treatment.
A Harvard study found that men who have sex with men (MSM) with mental health and substance abuse problems struggle to adhere to their HIV medication regimens. The research highlights the importance of addressing these issues to improve treatment outcomes and reduce viral transmission.
A team of scientists at the Gladstone Institutes has identified a new way to make latent HIV reveal itself by increasing its gene expression noise. This approach, known as the 'shock and kill' method, holds great promise for treating latent HIV infection.
Researchers used mass spectrometry to study CMV's dynamics in infected cells, identifying ways the virus evades the immune system and targeting cell surface proteins. The discovery offers new therapeutic targets and potential treatments for CMV-related diseases.
A study published in PLOS ONE maps the transmission network of HIV in San Diego, predicting new transmissions and identifying high-risk individuals. Targeted treatment interventions based on this analysis can significantly reduce new infections.
Researchers analyzed blood samples from nearly 100 HIV-infected volunteers and found that B cells, which produce antibodies, are more activated, unstable, and unresponsive to HIV. In contrast, antiretroviral therapy improves B-cell response to HIV, with normal cells dominating.
Researchers found that HCV reactivation did not negatively impact overall survival for HIV+ patients diagnosed with lymphoma. In fact, the study suggests these patients can tolerate chemotherapy without adverse outcomes, paving the way for increased enrollment in cancer clinical trials.
Research suggests circumcision may reduce prostate cancer risk in certain populations, including Black men with a 60% lower risk. The study found no significant association between circumcision and prostate cancer risk for other ancestral groups.
A team led by Scripps Research Institute scientists has received a $13 million grant to study antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in pursuit of an effective vaccine. The goal is to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies that can neutralize most circulating HIV strains.
A new study suggests that testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) when testing for HIV can improve HIV prevention efforts in South Africa and the broader region. The study found that patients with HIV were more likely to contract STIs before starting treatment, highlighting the importance of simultaneous STI detection and tr...
A new study from Zimbabwe found that providers are hesitant to test children for HIV due to concerns about guardianship and privacy. The research highlights the need for improved guidelines, training, and organizational adjustments to increase HIV testing and counseling among this vulnerable population.
The NIH has awarded $500,000 per year for five years to Drs. Stephen Waggoner, Heinrich Gottlinger, and Melanie Ott to research strengthening the immune system's ability to fight HIV infection and improving long-term immune health in HIV-infected drug users.
A recent study by the University of Pittsburgh Center for Vaccine Research has provided direct evidence of a major culprit behind poor outcomes for some HIV-infected individuals. The research suggests that blocking bacterial translocation can significantly slow HIV progression and reduce comorbidities such as heart disease.
Yuntao Wu's lab has won a $3.3 million NIH grant to develop an HIV cure using a Trojan Horse approach. The strategy aims to eliminate the virus by targeting its hiding places in T-cells. If successful, it could offer a cure for people struggling with HIV.
Researchers have discovered how the HIV-fighting enzyme SAMHD1 works, allowing for potential new treatments to prevent HIV infection. By understanding its dual role in breaking down nucleotides and regulating its activity, scientists may be able to develop more effective prevention strategies.
Researchers at Penn Vet have identified several compounds that can reduce a virus' ability to spread infection, making it easier for the immune system to control. The compounds target specific interactions between viral proteins and host cells, potentially reducing mortality rates for diseases like Ebola and HIV.
Researchers found that people infected with HIV who have low cholesterol levels in their immune cells experience slower disease progression. The study suggests that this inherited trait may affect the body's ability to transmit the virus to other cells, leading to a slower progression of AIDS.
Scientists have identified low cholesterol levels in immune cells as a key factor in slowing HIV progression in some individuals. This discovery could lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies for preventing HIV disease progression.
Researchers have discovered a new class of proteins called cnidarins that can block HIV virus penetration into T-cells, providing a potent barrier against infection. The proteins were found in a feathery coral collected off Australia's northern coast and show a unique mechanism of action.
A study of 67 transplant patients found those with naturally high levels of HLA-G dimer, a powerful immune molecule package, had the lowest risk of rejecting their transplanted kidney. High HLA-G levels also correlated with lower inflammation and higher expression of HLA-G receptors.
Researchers have discovered a new vulnerable site on the HIV virus that can be attacked by human antibodies, neutralizing its infectivity across various strains. This finding is crucial in developing an effective vaccine against HIV.
Researchers call for further study into the consequences of HIV and schistosomiasis coinfection in children in sub-Saharan Africa to understand potential synergies in control efforts. The diseases have a substantial geographical overlap, with millions of children at risk of transmission.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a new method to isolate single immune cells from the mouth, allowing them to study how these cells fight diseases. The method successfully isolated over 94% of the cells, enabling researchers to gain insights into treating oral cancers and other health issues.
A community-based HIV prevention effort boosted testing rates by 45% and reduced new infections by 14% in Africa and Thailand. The intervention also led to increased social acceptance of testing and lower rates of sexual partners among infected individuals.
A new paper highlights the disproportionate impact of HIV on communities of color and poor neighborhoods, emphasizing the need for geographically targeted prevention and treatment efforts. The authors call for increased investment in vulnerable communities to combat the epidemic.
A recent NIH study found that a rare genetic disorder, CDG-IIb, can confer resistance to severe or recurrent viral infections like HIV and influenza. The researchers discovered that these viruses replicate less efficiently in cells with the disease, creating fewer and less infectious viruses.
A recent study found that individuals with multiple sex partners and heavy drinkers are less likely to enroll in HIV-prevention counseling. The researchers suggest that interventions targeting both STI prevention and alcohol use could be effective in reducing risk factors for HIV infection.
Researchers are investigating HIV vaccines that failed to demonstrate efficacy and may have increased susceptibility to HIV infection. A new perspectives article highlights the need for risk-benefit analysis when developing new HIV vaccine candidates.
A new strategy in the fight against HIV and AIDS emerges from a study that found immunosuppressant therapy can reduce inflammation and control viral persistence. Researchers discovered that patients taking certain immunosuppressive drugs, such as sirolimus, had fewer infected cells over time.
A new study published in AIDS Care found that pressure from counselors and perceived ineffectiveness of interventions can deter young adults from returning for follow-up sessions. The study suggests that tailoring interventions to individual needs, including delivering personalized information about HIV risk, can improve retention rates.
A new method for studying the relationship between skin cells and good bacteria was developed, revealing certain bacterial communities alter HIV's ability to infect. The discovery has potential applications in understanding how vaginal products interact with good and bad bacteria.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins report that compounds designed to 'wake up' dormant HIV reservoirs have failed to work in laboratory tests of infected cells taken directly from patients. The failure challenges the idea that a single latency-reversing agent can uncover the hidden virus.
Two studies found that only one subclass of V1V2-directed IgG antibodies, the IgG3 subclass, is associated with antiviral responses linked to the reduced risk of HIV infection seen in the RV144 trial. More research is needed to determine whether these antibodies protected some vaccinees from HIV infection.