Researchers discovered 13 cases of asymptomatic MSM with positive monkeypox virus PCR results in anal samples, raising concerns about the outbreak's transmission dynamics. The findings suggest that vaccination may not be an effective strategy for preventing infection, highlighting the need for expanded public health interventions.
The new tuberculosis vaccine candidate VPM1002 shows its safety and efficacy in a study of HIV-exposed and non-HIV-exposed newborns. The vaccine has fewer side effects compared to the existing BCG vaccine, and elicits a similar immune response.
A new study found that HIV-1 Tat expression accelerates age-related diseases in male mice by disrupting neuroendocrine function. Researchers discovered that Tat alters steroid hormone levels, leading to anxiety-like behavior, cognitive errors, and reduced grip strength.
A study of 197 confirmed monkeypox cases in London found differences in symptoms between the current outbreak and previous ones. Key findings include rectal pain, penile swelling, and solitary lesions not previously known to be typical features of monkeypox infection.
MU researchers have identified specific mutations in the Omicron variant's spike protein that help it evade existing antibodies from vaccines or previous COVID-19 infections. These findings can inform developers of COVID-19 treatments and vaccines, which may need to target different parts of the virus to produce effective outcomes.
Researchers have found that treating high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs) in people with HIV significantly decreases the progression to anal cancer. The ANCHOR trial enrolled over 4,000 participants and showed a 57% reduction in anal cancer cases.
A longitudinal cohort study found significant reductions in liver disease and mortality among people with HCV infection who received treatment. The study's findings suggest that continued testing, treatment, and community-based interventions could lead to the elimination of HCV infection within the next decade.
Scientists have determined the molecular structure of HIV Pol, a protein that plays a key role in the late stages of HIV replication. The discovery reveals a new vulnerability in the virus that could be targeted with drugs, and sheds light on how the protein breaks apart to advance the replication process.
Researchers found that HIV prefers to infect memory CD4 T cells with large amounts of specific sugars, including fucose and sialic acid. The study also reveals that HIV boosts the production of these sugars in infected cells, highlighting a new target for potential treatments.
Researchers developed a nomogram to predict anal cancer risk in persons with HIV infection, highlighting increased risk among those living with the virus. The model estimates quantitative risk based on patient characteristics, informing screening decisions.
Researchers analyzed stored blood samples from infected men and found significant age acceleration in DNA epigenetic measures and telomere shortening. The study demonstrates HIV's substantial impact on the body's aging processes within two to three years of infection.
A new study reveals that COVID-19 variants are formed in chronic patients with weakened immune systems, who experience prolonged infections. This leads to the accumulation of mutations, similar to those found in severe illness variants.
A study found that despite PrEP's effectiveness in reducing HIV risk by 99%, many male couples underestimate its benefits and experience high levels of stigma. Joint education for male couples may improve PrEP adoption rates, and providing information to both partners can facilitate open discussions and concerns about the medication.
A new study from Tel Aviv University developed a unique treatment for AIDS that may be developed into a vaccine or a one time treatment. The treatment involves engineering type B white blood cells to secrete anti-HIV antibodies in response to the virus.
A new multicenter study found that pregnant women with COVID-19 in Sub-Saharan Africa have a significantly increased risk of needing intensive care and dying compared to uninfected hospitalized pregnant women. The study also highlighted the importance of COVID-19 vaccination as part of prenatal care to improve mother and infant outcomes.
A recent study of nearly 114,000 patients found that the risk of a COVID-19 breakthrough infection was low overall, but higher in people with HIV. The study highlights the need for continued vaccination efforts and monitoring among this vulnerable population.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that people with HIV are at a higher risk of breakthrough COVID-19 infections after vaccination. The study analyzed data from nearly 114,000 fully vaccinated individuals and found that the HIV group had a 28% higher rate of breakthrough infections compared to the non-HIV group.
The article reports on the rapid transmission of monkeypox in Europe, with cases detected in Italy, Portugal, the UK, and Australia. Human-to-human transmission has been confirmed, particularly in sexual networks, raising concerns about the virus's epidemiology and control.
A new study reveals that ingestible sensor-enabled Truvada can identify patterns of medication taking behavior that may put individuals at risk of prophylactic failure. The system captures individual adherence patterns in real-time, allowing for tailored guidance and support.
A new app called HOPE, developed at UVA Health, aims to provide vital support to patients battling opioid-use disorder. The app offers a secure way to connect with care providers and an anonymous message board for sharing experiences and building healing relationships.
A UC Davis study found a critical agent keeping KSHV dormant and undetected by the immune system. The virus is linked to various cancers and AIDS-related diseases. The researchers identified CHD4 as a key regulator of the latency-lytic switch, allowing the virus to stay silent.
Researchers from Clemson University have discovered a promising therapy for toxoplasmosis, a disease caused by the microscopic protozoa Toxoplasma gondii. The team has enlisted an unlikely ally - the herbicide oxadiazon - in the fight against the single-celled parasite.
Researchers discovered that memory B cells produce non-specific antibodies to combat virus mutants, working alongside phagocytes to screen for variants. This mechanism may offer protection against SARS-CoV2 and HIV variants, and could influence vaccine development.
Researchers successfully reprogrammed non-controllers' CD8+ T cells to acquire properties of natural HIV controllers, enabling them to suppress viral load and survive without exhaustion. This breakthrough could lead to a cell therapy strategy for achieving HIV remission, with potential applications in cancer treatments.
A new grant will help Missouri parents make informed decisions about vaccinating their children against various diseases. The grant aims to provide factual, evidence-based information to address common concerns and promote public health outcomes.
A new study by Université Libre de Bruxelles researchers reveals that inhibiting the cellular protein UHRF1 can reactivate latent HIV-1 viruses in reservoir cells. This breakthrough could lead to novel therapeutic strategies that force the virus to leave its dormant state, marking a significant step forward in AIDS research.
Research by Kerim Can Kavakli and Valentina Rotondi finds that restricting US foreign aid for NGOs providing abortion information leads to higher maternal and child mortality, as well as increased HIV incidence. The study estimates that this restriction may be responsible for up to 27,000 deaths per year.
The program aims to increase trained cancer researchers in Tanzania and prepare them for HIV-associated cancer diagnostics, genomics, and therapy. It will focus on molecular detection, epidemiology, and biology of common HIV-associated malignancies.
Researchers have found that preterm infants with certain viral signatures in their gut are at risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious and often fatal disease. The study highlights the potential for early warning signals to alert clinicians, allowing emergency action to be taken.
New research suggests that ADCC responses and strain susceptibility influence HIV-1 mother-to-child transmission during breastfeeding. Enhancing ADCC through a vaccine may not be sufficient to prevent transmission due to chronically infected individuals' ADCC-resistant strains.
Independent sector providers are the least likely to be compliant with national guidelines and standards for online STI test services in the UK. The study found that many providers failed to provide adequate health promotion information, triage, or advice on accessing preventive treatment after exposure to HIV.
A phase I clinical trial demonstrated the safety and efficacy of a novel adeno-associated viral vector-based treatment for HIV, producing measurable amounts of a broadly neutralizing antibody. The treatment showed wide-ranging clinical implications for potentially preventing or treating HIV and other infections.
PrEP users in Germany experienced infrequent testing, with 26.3% not following recommended frequencies for HIV, STI, and renal function testing. Regular testing is crucial to prevent missed diagnoses and manage asymptomatic STIs, particularly in MSM populations.
Researchers at Northwestern University used CRISPR to identify human genes important for HIV infection in blood cells, finding 86 genes that may play a role in replication and disease. The study proposes a new map for understanding how HIV integrates into the DNA and establishes chronic infections.
Researchers have successfully generated large numbers of virus-resistant immune cells from monkeys using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. This breakthrough could lead to the development of a new treatment for HIV/AIDS by providing an alternative to current therapies that require lifelong medication and can cause side effects.
Researchers have discovered that UV-LED lights can inactivate coronaviruses and HIV within seconds, making them a promising tool for disinfecting public spaces. The study found that repeated exposure to UV light is key to catching virus particles, and the lights are easy to retrofit into existing fixtures.
A new study by University of Alberta immunologist Shokrollah Elahi reveals that killer T cells have low levels of protein CD73, compromising their ability to eliminate HIV-infected cells. Chronic inflammation also plays a role in reducing CD73 expression, leading to potential new treatments for both HIV and multiple sclerosis.
A French study suggests that long-term use of protease inhibitors may lower the risk of COVID-19 infection by 70%. The study found that patients taking PIs had a lower incidence of COVID-19 compared to those not on PIs, despite having similar risk factors.
Researchers found that a monkey variant of HIV uses different amino acids to counteract human tetherin than it does in monkeys, suggesting a potential route for SIV to infect humans.
Closing syringe services programs would lead to an average increase of 63.5 HIV infections over a five-year period, with permanent closure resulting in a 161% increase among people who inject drugs. A short-term service disruption may cause a spike in HIV incidence.
A new study suggests that outpatient treatment for infective endocarditis can reduce mortality rates, extend life expectancy, and be more cost-effective than standard inpatient therapy. The strategy also showed improved cure rates compared to other approaches.
A recent study found a high prevalence of HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria in the Gambela region of Ethiopia, highlighting the need for targeted health services. The research suggests that addressing these diseases at a local level could be more effective than a nationwide response.
A COVID-19 genetic risk variant inherited from Neandertals reduces the risk of contracting HIV by 27%. This variant is associated with fewer CCR5 receptors, which can lower the risk of HIV infection.
A UCLA researcher presented a groundbreaking case of an HIV-1 patient in remission after specialized stem cell transplantation for leukemia. The patient has been in remission for 4.5 years and has not experienced any HIV rebound since stopping antiretroviral therapy.
Researchers found that starting combined antiretroviral therapy against simian immunodeficiency virus two weeks after infection significantly reduced chronic immune activation, SIV replication, and latent TB reactivation. This study contributes to the growing evidence on the complex interaction between HIV and tuberculosis.
A woman with HIV has achieved 14 months of undetectable HIV levels following a cord blood stem cell transplant to treat acute myeloid leukemia. The study suggests that CCR5Δ32/Δ32 cord stem cell transplantation may be an effective method for achieving HIV remission and cure in individuals requiring such transplants.
Researchers at UC San Diego found a steep rise in HIV incidence among people who inject drugs in Tijuana, driven by undiminished drug tourism. The rate of infection is 11 times higher than in San Diego residents who do not cross the border.
Researchers at Institut Pasteur have found that certain anti-HIV-1 antibodies can prevent infected cells from releasing viral particles, thereby halting viral spread. These Y-shaped antibodies form chains with viral particles, creating a structure that traps viruses and prevents infection of new cells.
A new study by CUNY SPH researchers estimates that nearly 40% of children living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa are undiagnosed, highlighting the urgent need for improved pediatric testing coverage. The study found that only 55% of children on ART had suppressed viral loads, underscoring the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
A new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that the value of long-acting injectable cabotegravir for HIV prevention is comparable to generic oral alternatives. The study found that CAB-LA's superiority over oral PrEP among high-risk individuals would not justify a large price difference.
A study of continuous monthly mortality data found that excess deaths associated with COVID-19 reached greater peaks than most other periods of excess deaths since 1918. The relative excess of deaths in 2020 was 12.5% in Switzerland, 8.5% in Sweden, and 17.3% in Spain.
A new poll shows that most teens and young adults know it's possible to catch or spread a sexually transmitted infection by having unprotected oral sex, but over half underestimate the level of that risk. Young people also call for more education about the risks of oral sex and normalization of protection through popular culture.
Researchers found that cancer immunotherapy pembrolizumab can reverse HIV latency, allowing killer T cells to regain function and kill infected cells. The treatment, which blocks exhaustion markers, also perturbs the HIV reservoir, showing promise for a cure.
A meta-analysis of 87 surveys from 35 African countries found that nearly one in ten sexually active men have paid for sex and are 50% more likely to be living with HIV. Men who pay for sex should be recognized as a priority population for HIV prevention efforts.
A Rutgers study found COVID-19 vaccination rates among people living with HIV are lower among younger and Black individuals, highlighting the need for tailored public health messaging to address vaccine hesitancy
Researchers at FAU are developing an affordable, disposable self-testing HIV-1 chip that can detect HIV from whole blood samples and measure viral load without refrigeration or skilled technicians. The technology aims to increase access to HIV testing and improve treatment outcomes in any setting.
A UCLA-led team has improved a method to kill HIV-infected cells, using natural killer cells to target and eliminate them. The approach could lead to reducing or eliminating the virus from infected individuals who rely on medication.
Researchers found that adding tomato concentrate to a mouse's diet reduced intestinal and systemic inflammation in individuals with chronic HIV. The study suggests targeting the inflamed intestine may be a novel way to prevent persistent inflammation.
Research found marked decreases in orphanhood, especially double orphanhood, among adolescents in Rakai, Uganda, corresponding with the rise of antiretroviral therapy and male medical circumcision. The study suggests that HIV combination prevention reduces mortality among adults and orphanhood among their adolescent children.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that people with immune dysfunction, such as HIV infection or rheumatoid arthritis, had a higher rate of COVID-19 breakthrough infections after vaccination. These individuals also experienced worse outcomes compared to those without immune dysfunction.