Research on HIV infection and how the virus behaves. Covers viral persistence, prevention policy, adolescent consent, and how HIV infects cells.
Researchers have successfully created a delivery system using a vehicle derived from HIV itself to introduce synthetic siRNAs into human cells. This approach aims to prevent HIV infection by knocking out the CCR5 receptor, which is found on T-cells and plays a role in immune function.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that HIV increases the severity of hepatitis B infections, leading to higher liver disease-related deaths among men with both conditions. The research suggests physicians may see an increase in hepatitis B-related liver disease among the 1 million people living with HIV in the US.
Researchers discovered that an individual could become infected with two closely related strains of HIV, highlighting the challenges in creating a vaccine against this highly variable virus. The study found that a hypothetical vaccine against one strain may not protect against other closely related strains.
Researchers found that patients infected with one strain of HIV can develop superinfection with another strain, compromising treatment. Genetic analysis confirmed the presence of a second type of HIV in the patient's blood, indicating that superinfection is possible and poses unique challenges for vaccine development.
Researchers found that a patient's immune system did generate new responses against the unique parts of the virus B, but these responses were not sufficient to prevent re-infection. The study supports the need for a preventive vaccine that targets multiple HIV strains.
A study estimates that US HIV prevention efforts saved between 204,000 to 1.585 million lives and resulted in cost savings of at least $11 billion since the onset of the epidemic, with a cost per infection prevented ranging from under $50,000 to $6,400.
A UCSF study of 239 men who have sex with men found no cases of HIV transmission through receptive oral sex. The study contradicts previous case reports and confirms the probability of zero transmission for this activity.
The study aims to understand the burden of neurological disease in people living with HIV and inform effective management strategies. A cross-sectional study will assess prevalence and features of neurocognitive-behavioral complications, while a subset of patients will be followed over time to monitor health status.
A new peptide, D6R, has been developed by LSUHSC researchers to block the action of an enzyme that activates toxic proteins in bacteria and viruses. The peptide was found to protect cells from lethal toxins without triggering a cytokine response, offering potential as a treatment for sepsis and other infections.
A recent study led by UC Davis finds that syringe-exchange programs significantly reduce HIV risk behavior among injecting drug users. The research shows a two-fold to six-fold reduction in risk behaviors for users with and without access to clean syringes, respectively.
Researchers found that HIV-specific killer T cells in asymptomatic individuals can recognize and kill both laboratory strain and autologous virus-infected target cells. However, these cells in symptomatic patients with AIDS are no longer effective against their own mutated virus.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that HIV-specific killer T cells in AIDS patients are remnants of a once-effective response early after infection. The high number of these cells can no longer recognize mutated autologous virus, leading to disease progression.
The new guidelines identify five major areas of concern: insulin resistance, lipid metabolism, lactic acid disorders, bone disease, and abnormal body fat distribution. These metabolic complications may increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and potentially fatal lactic acidosis.
A recent study published in Psychosomatics found that HIV-positive patients who perceive their illness as a 'punishment' experience lower self-esteem and increased depression. The research highlights the need for addressing psychosocial issues, such as punishment beliefs about HIV, on self-care and medical outcomes.
A survey of 299 HIV+ patients found that total pills per day had the greatest impact on adherence, followed by dosing frequency. Patients preferred low-pill-count regimens and those requiring less frequent dosing.
Research in Kenya found that pregnant women with both HIV and malaria are at higher risk of developing anaemia, while their children also face a greater risk. However, the transmission of HIV from mother to child is less frequent when the mother has a mild malaria infection.
A study of 957 HIV-positive pregnant women found that multivitamin use was associated with a small increase in weight gain during the third trimester. Multivitamins may also reduce the risk of low weight gain and fetal loss, making them an essential tool in HIV-infected women's nutrition.
Researchers have found a new avenue of HIV damage that affects the structure of CD4 T cells, making it impossible for them to function normally. This discovery may lead to improved disease staging and therapy, as therapies targeting inflammation and scar tissue accumulation could enhance current antiviral treatment.
Researchers found that long-term nonprogressors' cells were better able to divide and produce perforin, a molecule that helps kill off infected cells. This discovery is crucial for developing effective vaccines and therapeutic treatments that improve CD8+ T cell function.
Otitis media is a common childhood infection with rising antibiotic resistance; the Lancet Infectious Diseases review calls for targeted larval mosquito strategies. A systematic review of over 5000 women also finds that cheap spermicide gels are ineffective in reducing HIV-1 and other STIs.
Researchers found a significant decrease in new HIV infections among injection drug users in Baltimore between 1988-1990 and 1995-1998, with rates dropping from 4.45% to 1.84%. Higher education, income, marriage, and social support were associated with reduced risk.
A recent study found that nonoxynol-9 spermicide may increase the risk of HIV-1 infection in women due to vaginal lesions caused by frequent use. In contrast, low-frequency use showed no harm or benefit. The findings highlight the need for alternative vaginal microbicides.
A study published in the American Journal of Pathology found that uncircumcised men are more susceptible to HIV due to high concentrations of target cells in their foreskin tissue. This tissue contains higher densities of CD4+ T cells, macropahges and Langerhans' Cells than in circumcised individuals or cervical tissue.
Researchers have identified a natural inhibitor of HIV called CEM15, which can stop the virus from replicating. By targeting Vif, a regulatory protein that enables HIV replication, scientists may develop new antiviral treatments.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that the transmission rate of drug-resistant HIV had more than doubled among patients in North America. The study, which analyzed over 300 patients, revealed a significant increase in the prevalence of viral mutations associated with resistance.
A UCLA study found that treating more people in developing countries with antiretroviral drug therapy can eliminate HIV on a community level, even without eradicating it in individuals. The research suggests that treatment and prevention are not two separate approaches, but rather intertwined strategies to save lives.
The Lancet Oncology and Infectious Diseases examine the effectiveness of cancer prevention strategies, including chemoprevention and lifestyle changes. Researchers also explore the impact of HIV treatment on reducing epidemics and developing vaccines against the virus.
A new study found that 96% of HIV-positive MSM with STIs had received healthcare in the previous six months, highlighting the need for regular screening and effective risk reduction messages. The study also revealed high rates of co-infections with HSV-2 and syphilis among HIV-infected men.
Researchers analyzed data from over 12,000 adult patients starting HAART, finding that those with more advanced disease had a higher risk of progression to AIDS or death. Early initiation of treatment was associated with reduced mortality rates, particularly for those with lower CD4 counts.
NIAID-funded studies explore dual protease inhibitors, herpes simplex virus 2 risk factor for HIV infection in India, and anti-HIV antibodies' influence on HIV evolution. The conference also features the world's largest preventive HIV vaccine trial.
A multi-center trial shows that new drug combinations, including two protease inhibitors, can significantly lower virus counts in patients with moderately advanced immunodeficiency. The study found that 31% of patients could achieve detectable viral loads with regimens containing four or five new drugs.
A study published in JAMA found that nearly 28% of newly infected people have a strain of HIV resistant to at least one class of antiretroviral drugs, highlighting the need for new treatment options. The research also shows that drug-resistant viruses take longer to control with current treatments.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine study reveals that HIV treatment is equally effective for patients with both HIV and hepatitis C infections, contrary to previous assumptions. The research found no significant difference in the virologic or immunologic response to HAART among those with co-infection, suggesting hepatitis C infection should not...
Researchers found that nucleic acid testing can identify acute HIV infection in people who are most contagious, missing routine antibody tests. This can help prevent further transmission and improve long-term prognosis for those diagnosed early.
Scientists have discovered a new method to inhibit HIV replication using short interfering RNAs (siRNAs), a type of RNA interference technology. Researchers demonstrated the effectiveness of siRNAs in human cells, showing promise for novel HIV treatments.
A new diagnostic tool, Tc 99m Depreotide, has been shown to detect the source of infection in all patients studied within three hours after injection. This is significantly faster than traditional nuclear imaging tests, which can take up to 48 hours, and offers improved accuracy.
A long-term pediatric AIDS study of over 500 children reveals that cardiac abnormalities may persist in infants born to HIV-positive mothers. The study found that both infected and uninfected children had higher left ventricle mass and lower contractility, but differences dissipated over time.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that methamphetamine exposure can dramatically increase the replication of lentiviruses like FIV and HIV in astrocyte cells, a type of nerve cell. This could lead to new insights into how these viruses spread in the brain and may impact dementia treatment.
A field study in Zimbabwe found that younger women formed partnerships with men 5-10 years older, increasing their risk of HIV-1 infection. Younger women also reported fewer condom uses and more frequent sexual activity, further exacerbating the issue.
UCSF researchers argue that funding HIV prevention interventions in sub-Saharan Africa is 28 times more cost-effective than treating individuals with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Implementing six proven prevention interventions can save a maximum number of lives with limited funds available, according to the study.
A new study by Emory University and CDC reveals a surge in sepsis cases across the US, with significant increases in hospitalizations among specific demographics. The incidence of sepsis rose in both children and adults over a 20-year period, with gram-positive infections becoming more prevalent.
The HVDDT program aims to bring a safe and effective HIV vaccine closer to reality by partnering academic research centers with private industry. Early tests in monkeys showed promising results, with vaccinated animals developing strong immune responses that protected against disease.
Researchers are making progress in developing preventive HIV vaccines, with six potential candidates tested in clinical trials over the past five years. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is currently sponsoring multiple clinical trials, which will require tens of thousands of additional volunteers.
A new method to prevent HIV from infecting healthy cells has been discovered by a team of researchers at the University of Illinois. The study found that reverse-chirality D-peptides can block the virus's entry into cells, providing a potential new therapeutic option.
The USF team, led by Dr. Jeffrey Nadler, is conducting a national study to assess the safety and ability of an HIV vaccine to stimulate immunity in healthy adults. The vaccine, developed by Merck & Co., uses a prime boost regimen and boosts the activity of killer cells in the immune system to target and kill HIV-infected cells.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that taking drug breaks during HIV treatment can lead to increased infections of CD4 cells, hastening their destruction and disease progression. This can ultimately give rise to full-blown AIDS, highlighting the importance of ongoing antiviral therapy.
Researchers found that HIV preferentially infects HIV-specific CD4+ T cells, which are essential for directing the immune system's response to pathogens. This phenomenon highlights the vulnerability of these cells to viral infection and suggests ways to design a more effective HIV vaccine.
A new oral medication, valganciclovir, has been shown to be as effective as traditional intravenous treatment for CMV retinitis in AIDS patients. The pill form reduces the need for permanent catheters and improves patient convenience.
The Lancet report highlights child prostitution's alarming health consequences, including 2 million STD infections and 1.6 million attempted suicides among 10 million prostituted children worldwide.
A study found that 43% of rural HIV-positive participants engage in elevated risk for transmitting their infection, often due to depression, stress, and lack of access to HIV-prevention programs. Many residents are isolated by the stigma of their illness and lack information about the dangers of unprotected sex.
A study found that nearly 800 monkeys in Cameroon were infected with simian immunodeficiency viruses, highlighting the risk of human exposure through hunting and handling primates. The diversity among the viruses suggests a high degree of human exposure to SIVs.
A UCSF study found high levels of HCV infection among young low-income women in San Francisco, with injection drug use and HSV-2 co-infection contributing to transmission. The study also highlights the need for public health efforts beyond needle exchange programs to address non-needle drug use and sexually transmitted diseases.
A study found that female injection drug users in Vancouver with high-risk behaviors like daily cocaine use and unsafe sex were more likely to convert to HIV. The authors emphasize the need for sex-specific prevention initiatives due to alarming rates of HIV infection among Aboriginal women, twice as high as in non-Aboriginal populations.
Researchers found that two American infants were infected with African strains of HIV as early as 1994. The study suggests that more complicated regimens work best to combat the spread of HIV in pediatric patients, but may pose social problems for children entering adolescence.
A retrospective review of 6 cases involving HIV-positive infants whose mothers did not know their own HIV status revealed incomplete application of guidelines. The authors recommend universal HIV testing and counselling to prevent perinatal transmission, while a commentary discusses 5 critical steps needed for prevention.
A UCLA study found that 75% of HIV-positive women reported a positive change in their views of themselves, while 53% reported a shift in life priorities. The women attributed this change to coping with HIV infection, which made them feel wiser and stronger.
Scientists found that viruses causing diverse ailments like AIDS, common cold, and hepatitis share functional traits, linking large groups of viruses. These traits involve replication mechanisms and messenger RNA stages, suggesting a common ancestor among the viruses. The discovery bolsters prospects for broad-spectrum antiviral agents.
The South African government is under pressure to implement a national program against vertical transmission of HIV from mothers to children. Key researchers are calling for increased investment in antiretroviral treatment and support to improve public health outcomes.
The University of Illinois Chicago College of Nursing has launched a five-year AIDS prevention project in Malawi, training health workers to become leaders in combating the pandemic. The project aims to educate hospital staff, nurses, and medical officers on HIV transmission and safe-sex practices, as well as mobilizing community peer ...
A cross-sectional study of 493 married couples in Thailand found that HIV transmission from men to women is significantly linked to increased viral loads among HIV-positive men. Women who had previously contracted an STD or used hormonal contraceptives were also at higher risk of transmission.