Research on HIV infection and how the virus behaves. Covers viral persistence, prevention policy, adolescent consent, and how HIV infects cells.
A study of 332 HIV-infected patients found that those with high viral loads were at increased risk of surgical complications, including pneumonia. The researchers also found that patients with low CD4 cell counts had more complications than those with higher counts.
A new study found that HIV-infected individuals with CD8 responses directed against the Gag protein have lower viral levels. This contradicts previous approaches focusing on broad responses against multiple viral proteins. The researchers suggest that targeting specific proteins like Gag may be more effective in controlling HIV.
A randomized controlled trial conducted in Kenya demonstrates that male circumcision significantly reduces the risk of acquiring HIV, with a 53% reduction in new infections among circumcised men. The study, funded by CIHR, provides conclusive evidence supporting the use of circumcision as an important HIV prevention strategy.
A new study published in BMC Medicine found that HIV prevalence in Andhra Pradesh's Guntur district is 1.72%, significantly lower than the official estimate of 4.3% for the entire country. The study estimated 45,900 individuals with HIV in Guntur district, highlighting potential overestimation of HIV burden in India.
Researchers at MGH found that individuals infected with both HIV and HCV who maintain low viral levels have stronger immune responses. Early antiretroviral treatment before CD4 levels drop may be crucial to preserve HCV control in co-infected patients. The study suggests a potential strategy for improving treatment outcomes.
A large NIH-commissioned study found no evidence that hormonal contraception increases a woman's chances of becoming infected with HIV. The study followed thousands of women in Africa and compared their patterns of contraceptive use to their risk of infection with HIV, finding no statistically significant difference.
A new study by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and the University of Washington found that malaria increases HIV transmission to sex partners by up to 10 times. HIV-infected individuals are also more susceptible to malaria infections due to their compromised immune systems, fueling a rise in adult malaria-infection rates.
A study published in PLoS Medicine found that HIV treatment does not restore memory T cells in most people, despite years of antiviral therapy. The researchers discovered that intestinal immune cells remained low and elevated immune activation persisted, suggesting potential clinical problems over time.
A recent study by researchers at Yale University found that routine HIV screening in virtually all health settings is cost-effective and saves lives. The study provides strong support for the US CDC guidelines recommending HIV screening of all persons aged 13-64 in all healthcare settings.
Researchers found that continuous antiretroviral therapy significantly reduces the risk of opportunistic diseases and death compared to episodic therapy. The study also showed no reduction in serious side effects with continual ART.
Public health campaigns should emphasize the pleasurable aspects of condom use to increase uptake. This approach has been successful in promoting safer sex behaviors, as seen in Uganda's Marie Stopes International campaign featuring textured male condoms.
A new vaginal gel designed to prevent herpes and HIV infection is being tested in a US study. The gel, called VivaGel, has shown nearly 100% effectiveness in animal trials with few side effects. The study aims to give women more control over their sexual health and reduce the spread of these infections.
Researchers have discovered HIV replication in resident immune cells of the testis, providing an explanation for the persistence of virus in semen. The study suggests that the testis may be a pharmacological sanctuary for the virus.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic will hinder efforts to reduce extreme poverty and hunger, improve maternal health, and tackle infectious diseases. Researchers estimate that the epidemic could lower national GDP by up to 1.5% annually, with a greater impact on economic development in Africa.
Six Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor were wrongly accused of deliberately infecting over 400 children with HIV in Libya since 1999. The Lancet calls for their immediate release due to lack of legal basis.
A systematic review of HIV medication adherence factors reveals common barriers in both developed and developing countries, as well as unique challenges in resource-constrained settings. Facilitators of adherence include having a sense of self-worth, simplicity of regimens, and reminder tools, but no such facilitators were identified i...
Researchers developed radioimmunotherapy to target and kill HIV-infected cells using antibodies. By injecting radioactive antibodies into mice with deficient immune systems, the treatment successfully reduced HIV-infected cell numbers and showed promise for eradicating the virus.
Researchers suggest lamivudine as a PREP candidate due to its relative safety and ease of use. Randomized clinical trials are needed to evaluate its efficacy in preventing new HIV infections.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine successfully targeted and destroyed HIV-infected cells in mice using radioimmunotherapy. The treatment aims to eliminate the virus-infected cells that make infections chronic, potentially leading to a cure for HIV-infected patients.
Researchers found that specific HLA Class I/HIV viral fragment combinations are associated with a more powerful antiviral response. The study suggests that genetic factors play a significant role in determining how well an individual's immune system controls HIV during early infection.
A new study found that individuals who had tested positive for hepatitis C but later tested negative were significantly less likely to become infected again compared to those who had never been infected. This suggests that previous exposure to HCV may be protective against reinfection, possibly on an immunologic basis.
Sexual and reproductive tract infections like HPV, syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhoea have severe consequences such as cervical cancer, stillbirth, and tubal infertility. Effective measures like screening programs can prevent thousands of deaths and cases annually
The first global analysis of sexual behavior data found that monogamy is the dominant pattern worldwide, and developed nations report high rates of multiple partnerships. Despite this, adolescents have high rates of unintended pregnancy, unsafe abortions, and STIs.
Two researchers argue that there is no conclusive evidence to support the link between HIV stigma and the global epidemic. Instead, they suggest that stigma may help slow the spread of the disease by reducing opportunities for contact between high- and low-risk groups.
Researchers found highly resistant strains of TB in a rural area of South Africa, associated with high death rates in HIV-infected patients. The study highlights the need for action to tackle the problem of resistant strains that could jeopardize tuberculosis control and mortality prevention.
The imminent executions of six foreign health workers in Libya will have severe repercussions for the global healthcare community. The case has garnered widespread criticism from the scientific and medical fields, highlighting the importance of protecting healthcare workers' rights.
Researchers at NC State University are developing mathematical and statistical models to aid in designing new treatment strategies for acutely infected HIV patients. The goal is to predict the best course of treatment based on individual patient variables, which could lead to improved quality of care and personalized treatment.
Researchers found that picornavirus-related infections can accumulate over an individual's lifetime, leading to clinical cognitive memory deficits. The study suggests a link between picornavirus infections and inflammation of the brain, particularly in the hippocampus region.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have identified a cell line resistant to retroviruses, including HIV, which is able to withstand infection and attack by the virus. This discovery provides a potential new target for developing more effective drugs to combat HIV and AIDS.
Researchers found that competition among T cells allows HIV to escape destruction and develop into full-blown AIDS. A new computer model suggests a polytopic vaccination strategy to combat this effect, which may prevent the final onset of AIDS by reducing immunodominance.
Scientists have begun a clinical safety trial in Africa to test the first vaccine to prevent HIV transmission from mothers to children through breastfeeding. The ALVAC-HIV vaccine, which has shown promise in monkeys and adult studies, aims to develop immunity in infants, preventing up to 8,000 infections per year in Uganda's children.
A team of researchers has identified a specific protein segment within the GBV-C viral protein NS5A that strongly inhibits HIV from replicating in cells grown in labs. This finding builds on earlier work showing that people with HIV who are also infected with GBV-C live longer than those infected only with HIV.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have discovered a novel peptide that effectively blocks influenza viruses, including deadly avian influenza, from entering host cells. The new finding offers a potential tool for preventing and treating influenza, which is losing its potency due to evolution.
Researchers discovered that APOBEC3G forms large RNA protein complexes to block HIV and protect against jumping genes. This finding may lead to new approaches for controlling HIV infection.
A survey of over 2500 men found that almost half who paid for sex had a current partner. Unprotected oral sex was twice as common among those who paid locally, highlighting its role in transmission of STIs.
The Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) has received a five-year award to examine the impact of aging and alcohol use among those with and without chronic HIV infection. The study will investigate the independent effects of these factors, as well as their interaction, on health outcomes.
The study found that only 4-6% of a patient's CD4 cell loss rate can be explained by their presenting viral load, shifting the paradigm in predicting disease progression. The results suggest more complex scenarios of disease progression and hint at indirect processes through which HIV induces immune system damage.
Chronic binge drinking in rhesus macaques accelerated SIV disease progression, increasing time to AIDS and viral loads. The study suggests that early treatment is crucial for reducing alcohol use and extending life among HIV-infected individuals.
A review of published research suggests that cigarette smoking increases the risk of contracting HIV and progressing to AIDS. The study found that five out of six studies concluded smokers were more likely to become HIV positive, with varying risks ranging from 60% to tripling.
Scientists at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston have determined the precise structure of the VEE virus protein required for replication. This achievement marks an important step toward developing effective drug therapies against the virus, which can cause widespread infections and death in Central and South America.
HIV-positive patients with low CD4 cell counts face increased risk of malaria treatment failure, highlighting the need for tailored treatments to address immune suppression. The study emphasizes the importance of combining antimalarial and antiretroviral therapies to maximize effects on both diseases.
Researchers from the Université de Montréal have identified a defect in the immune response to HIV and found a way to correct it. The team successfully stimulated a protein that prevents the virus from making immune system cells dysfunctional, opening new prospects for therapeutic strategies.
American and South African scientists discovered how HIV exhausts killer T cells, which attack the virus. By blocking a molecular switch called programmed death-1 (PD-1), they can reinvigorate these T cells.
Researchers found a molecular pathway that turns off immune cells targeting HIV, leading to exhaustion. Blocking this pathway restores function to these cells, suggesting a potential new approach to treating HIV infection.
A large-scale haplotype-mapping study aims to identify genetic factors that enable some HIV-infected individuals to suppress viral replication without treatment. The study, known as the Elite Controller Collaborative Study, hopes to develop a first-generation HIV vaccine that can successfully suppress viral levels.
A massive scale-up of HIV/AIDS treatment programs in Zambia showed favorable patient outcomes, demonstrating the feasibility of expansion in sub-Saharan Africa. The program's success was attributed to leadership and advocacy by the Zambian government, strict protocols for patient care, and large financial resources.
The International AIDS Society-USA Panel has updated guidelines for the treatment of adult HIV infection, recommending antiretroviral therapy for all symptomatic and asymptomatic adults with CD4 counts below 350/μL. The new guidelines also emphasize the importance of adherence to therapy and regular monitoring of plasma HIV-1 RNA levels.
A preliminary study suggests that using a single boosted protease inhibitor instead of the standard regimen may be an effective treatment for select patients with HIV infection. The study found that 91% of participants experienced virologic success after 24 weeks of simplified therapy.
University of Pittsburgh researchers have developed a novel therapeutic vaccine that activates killer T cells to target HIV, offering new hope for treatment. The vaccine uses dendritic cells modified with specific molecules to stimulate the immune system's response.
Researchers found that B cells expressing a special protein called DC-SIGN are necessary for HIV to infect T cells. Activating DC-SIGN on B cells allows HIV to invade T cells, highlighting a new target for future studies and drug development.
Researchers at University of Central Florida have discovered a defense peptide that can effectively block the HIV-1 virus from entering and infecting blood cells. The peptide, retrocyclin, has shown minimal resistance to the virus over 100 days, making it a promising candidate for developing an affordable treatment.
Researchers at University at Buffalo found that methamphetamine increases expression of DC-SIGN receptor, allowing more virus to invade the immune system and promote HIV infection. The study suggests that dopamine receptor blockers could be beneficial in reducing HIV infection in high-risk populations.
A decade after HAART introduction, HIV/AIDS risk remains low for those starting treatment. However, a significant increase in tuberculosis (TB) cases among HAART patients has been observed since 1998, largely due to increased incidence of TB.
Researchers found HIV survives treatment by hiding in gut mucosa, suppressing immune function. Early antiretroviral treatment and anti-inflammatory medications may improve treatment outcomes. Restoration of gut immune function is crucial to ridding the body of the virus.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Latin America and the Caribbean is characterized by high prevalence rates, with over 3.5 million projected cases by 2015. The region's unique challenges include poverty, migration, and a lack of research into transmission patterns.
A study of 18 HIV-positive subjects reveals that HIV in the brain and central nervous system is genetically different from HIV in the blood. A particular mutation in the HIV envelope gene is correlated with cognitive impairment, suggesting a key to understanding and potentially treating HIV dementia.
Combination anti-retroviral therapies have significantly reduced the incidence of opportunistic infections in HIV-infected children, including bacterial pneumonia, herpes zoster, and tuberculosis. The study found a substantial decrease in infection rates compared to the pre-HAART era.
Researchers identify DC-SIGN on B cells as crucial for HIV's takeover of T cells, revealing a new pathway for antiviral drug development. About 8% of B cells express the protein, which allows HIV to invade T cells while sparing B cells.
A large trial suggests that male circumcision reduces HIV infection risk by 60%. If all men were circumcised, 2 million new infections and 300,000 deaths could be avoided. Long-term benefits would include saving 1.6-5.8 million lives after 20 years.
A Spanish newspaper launched an HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B information service online, which became extremely popular in both Spain and Latin America. The service answered over 900 queries in its first year of operation.