Research on HIV infection and how the virus behaves. Covers viral persistence, prevention policy, adolescent consent, and how HIV infects cells.
A recent study found that problem drinkers with HIV are more likely to take their medications off schedule, highlighting the importance of screening for alcohol problems among persons with HIV infection. Nearly half of problem drinkers reported taking medication off schedule during the previous week.
The UNC-CH AIDS clinic in Robeson County offers treatment and care to HIV-positive patients near their homes, addressing a significant problem in the area's high sexually transmitted disease rates. The clinic is supported by a $100,000 grant and covers costs for indigent patients through Medicaid and private insurance.
Jay Levy, MD, argues that an HIV vaccine aiming to reduce virus levels in blood and genital fluids could play a crucial role in controlling the epidemic. This approach would delay disease development and suppress the virus worldwide, rather than achieving sterilizing immunity.
A team of researchers has developed an experimental HIV-1 vaccine specifically designed to combat the rising HIV epidemic in Nigeria, where the strain is unique and anti-HIV drugs are largely unavailable. The vaccine uses innovative technologies to induce strong antiviral immunity and has shown promising results in preclinical testing.
Researchers have synthesized a protein called 5-Helix that jams the HIV grappling hook, preventing infection. The protein is stable and resistant to degradation, making it a promising candidate for injectable therapy.
Researchers design 5-Helix protein to block HIV entry into human cells, offering a promising alternative to current treatments. The protein has potential applications as a broad-spectrum inhibitor against various viruses and could serve as a model for generating antibodies against HIV.
A study found that weight loss lowered high-normal blood pressure in overweight adults, but only a small percentage maintained substantial weight loss over three years. Another study discovered that scuba diving increases the risk of brain lesions due to decompression illnesses and heart abnormalities.
New research suggests that macrophages are an underappreciated reservoir of virus in HIV infection. Macrophages continue to produce large amounts of an HIV-like virus even after CD4+ T cells are depleted, providing new insight on how the virus survives. This discovery may lead to new strategies for eliminating the virus from the body.
Researchers found that IL-7 increases in response to declining CD4+ cell counts, a hallmark of HIV disease. This cytokine stimulates the thymus and other immune tissues to produce new T-cells, potentially rebuilding the entire T-cell compartment.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that a commonly used HIV drug, AZT, does not prevent virus-related damage to the thymus in young cats infected with FIV. The study suggests that antiviral therapy may need to be combined with other treatments to restore thymic function and protect against immune system problems.
Researchers found that interrupting therapy in rhesus macaques with HIV led to a vigorous immune response and controlled virus levels. The study's results suggest patients might be able to take fewer drugs, stimulating the immune system to better control the virus.
A recent study found that proteins in T cells play a key role in the spread of HIV. By blocking these proteins, scientists hope to develop new treatments for the virus. The research, led by Ulrich Schubert, reveals how HIV manipulates T cells to spread and infect other cells.
Researchers discovered that STI-HAART can train the immune system to control HIV by developing a stronger response against the virus. The study provides a potential recipe for further research on restoring HIV-specific immunity after acute infection.
A study published in the journal AIDS identifies a genetic risk factor for HIV infection, specifically a variation in the RANTES gene that increases susceptibility but also slows down disease progression. Researchers found that this SNP is associated with up to twice the risk of HIV infection and takes about 40% longer to develop AIDS.
A Cornell University parent-education program has shown that it can triple the likelihood of parents discussing HIV risk reduction with their children. The program also significantly increases the likelihood that parents will make personal risk behavior changes and obtain HIV testing. The study, which involved 375 parents in New York C...
Researchers argue that current HIV prevention resource allocations are not consistent with trends in the spread of HIV disease. They propose a shift in focus from AIDS case-based reporting to sentinel surveillance systems, citing data showing declining HIV prevalence and incidence among heterosexuals and stable rates among MSMs.
Researchers will follow 1,000 HIV patients over three years to track health, attitudes, and treatment patterns, with a focus on rural areas where barriers hinder efforts to reduce HIV spread and mortality. The study aims to explore the role of coping mechanisms, stress, and social support in HIV transmission and disease progression.
A shorter course of AZT therapy can reduce HIV transmission from mothers to children, now available at a lower cost. The study found that treatment regimens starting at 28 weeks pregnant and given to the infant for six weeks resulted in a transmission rate similar to standard long/long treatment.
Researchers found that early antiviral treatment primes the immune system to suppress viral levels without drugs, achieving temporary suppression in several months. Five patients remained off treatment for up to 11 months, maintaining low viral levels.
At the Institute of Human Virology (IHV) conference, scientists from Africa, Caribbean, and US/Europe discussed HIV/AIDS challenges in the developing world. They emphasized the need for more North-South partnerships to address affordable therapies and preventative vaccines.
A national committee recommends a strategy focused on better tracking of HIV infections, coupled with funding the most cost-effective prevention programs. The approach aims to significantly cut new infections, particularly in high-risk populations.
Researchers found that a Tat-specific killer T cell response can effectively contain simian immunodeficiency virus during early infection, leading to a massive immune response. The study suggests a new approach to designing HIV vaccines by stimulating immune responses against virus proteins produced within hours of infection.
A study has confirmed that VirtualPhenotype can accurately predict HIV therapy response using genetic resistance information, outperforming expert interpretation. This standardized approach offers a reliable alternative for optimal treatment decision-making.
Researchers have discovered a potentially promising approach to attack the AIDS virus, opening new vaccine directions. The study found that infected individuals make immune responses that the virus cannot tolerate, and that these responses could be mimicked in an HIV vaccine.
A study evaluated dosage adjustments of Agenerase in HIV patients taking efavirenz or nevirapine, showing that therapeutic plasma concentrations were maintained at 6 or 12 weeks. Dosage adjustments resulted in improved amprenavir levels in all cases, despite the presence of efavirenz or nevirapine.
Researchers describe a medical paradox where some AIDS patients develop opportunistic infections after regaining immune strength from HAART therapy. The 'immune reconstitution disease syndrome' occurs when the strengthened immune system reacts to bacteria or viruses already present in the patient.
New data from an NHLBI pediatric AIDS study show no significant differences in cardiac function between children exposed to AZT and those not exposed. The study provides reassuring evidence that AZT is not associated with any significant negative clinical effects on the heart.
Researchers from Emory University Health Sciences Center have identified three HIV-positive chimpanzees that are progressing to AIDS, offering insights into how the disease develops and may be resisted. The chimps' unique genetic profile could hold key to developing an HIV vaccine and new treatments for AIDS.
A new mathematical model developed by University of Michigan scientist Denise Kirschner shows how HIV accelerates the normal process of homing, diverting white blood cells from the bloodstream to the lymph system. This understanding is crucial for developing effective treatments and targeting therapeutic drugs.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School are harnessing the longevity of a herpes simplex virus to develop an HIV vaccine. Their live attenuated vaccine has shown promising results in non-human primates, inducing immunity that lasted for months.
A new study shows that drug treatment interruptions can boost HIV-specific immune responses in chronically infected patients, with one patient controlling his viral infection without drugs for at least four months. This approach, known as structured treatment interruption, may provide a sustainable alternative to current treatments.
Researchers have developed a new approach to block HIV protease by using small molecules as a 'molecular wedge' to prevent protein interaction. This method may help prevent drug resistance and could be used to treat various diseases, including autoimmune disorders. The study is currently being tested at the National Institutes of Health.
Researchers found that even after six months of antiretroviral therapy, a substantial percentage of men with HIV remain infectious. The study suggests that men should continue to practice safe sex and follow medication instructions carefully.
A randomized trial found that zinc acetate lozenges reduced the duration and symptoms of colds, but caution is needed due to potential copper deficiency risks. Antiretroviral therapy also showed promising results in reducing HIV transmission in semen, but with concerns about drug resistance.
The new book, edited by Howard Libman and Harvey J. Makadon, offers high-quality primary medical care to HIV-infected patients. With contributions from 23 AIDS experts, the book covers pathogenesis, antiretroviral therapy, and infection control.
A UI-led study found that flavopiridol, a cancer treatment, blocks HIV-1 replication in cell culture experiments at very low concentrations. This suggests the drug may have anti-HIV properties and could be a potential treatment for AIDS.
A new study at the University of North Carolina finds that men infected with HIV who use denial strategies to cope with the disease threat progress more rapidly to AIDS. Higher average blood levels of cortisol are also associated with faster progression.
A pilot study suggests metformin, a type 2 diabetes drug, may help treat HIV lipodystrophy by reducing insulin levels and improving metabolic changes. The treatment was well-tolerated with no serious side effects reported, but further studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness.
A comprehensive study of HIV patients taking protease inhibitors found that marijuana use did not alter viral loads, with subjects who smoked or took oral dronabinol experiencing slightly greater declines in HIV RNA levels than those taking placebos. Adverse effects were minimal and not statistically significant.
Researchers analyzing blood samples from an anonymous test site in Santos, Brazil found a significant increase in HIV infection rates between 1995 and 1999. The majority of recent infections were among heterosexual women, who were also more likely to report anal sex and a history of sexually transmitted disease.
Research shows that Ugandan companies can save money by providing HIV drugs to their employees, with annual cost savings of $74 per skilled employee and $42 per unskilled worker. The study found that providing prophylactic treatment for HIV-infected workers is a cost-effective option.
A recent study found that a short regimen of nevirapine continues to reduce HIV transmission in infants even when breastfed. The results showed a sustained 39% reduction in risk over 12 months, and preliminary data suggest an additional 2% reduction after 18 months.
Researchers found that adding interleukin-2 to highly active antiretroviral therapy improves CD4 cell counts in recently infected patients. After 48 weeks of treatment, the average CD4 cell count increased significantly in the early IL-2 group compared to the deferred group.
The NIH has established an international network to develop and test non-vaccine strategies for HIV prevention, focusing on microbicides, behavioral interventions, and antiretroviral therapy. The HPTN aims to identify promising measures to protect people, especially children and women, from HIV infection.
Researchers found that women carry lower levels of HIV in their blood than men, especially during early phases of infection, but have the same risk as men of developing AIDS. Current guidelines may lead to more men being eligible for treatment due to lower viral load thresholds.
Researchers at NIAID explore a new approach to HIV treatment involving cyclic therapy, which may reduce HAART duration and costs. Preliminary findings suggest that patients can maintain minimal viral loads and adequate CD4+ T cells during intermittent therapy.
A study by the San Francisco Department of Public Health found that anonymous HIV screening of jail inmates offers an opportunity to track the epidemic in at-risk groups. The study detected a higher number of STDs than typically picked up in screening programs outside the jail setting.
The Bay Area Perinatal AIDS Center's coordinated care model significantly reduces HIV transmission from mother to child. Nurse clinicians focus on the challenges of caring for HIV-infected mothers, implementing interventions such as coordinated medication schedules.
A nationwide study found that primary caregivers, especially women with young children and limited health insurance, frequently delay their own medical treatment for HIV. This delay can lead to lost opportunities for timely anti-retroviral therapy, highlighting the need for support services in medical settings.
Despite new treatments extending lives of individuals with HIV, the overall shortfalls in AIDS treatments are becoming apparent. The US data shows a stabilization in AIDS cases and deaths diagnosed each quarter since July 1998, with roughly 4,000 AIDS deaths and 10,000 AIDS cases diagnosed annually.
Jay Levy, a professor at UCSF, debates that the innate immune system helps prevent HIV infection and progression to disease. He cites cases of HIV patients with few CD4 cells who remain healthy without opportunistic infections or cancer.
A new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that HIV patients require at least 95 percent adherence to antiretroviral therapy for the drugs to work. The study also revealed that physicians often misjudge their patients' adherence, which could have serious consequences.
A randomized controlled trial found that a new anti-inflammatory drug decreased kidney function at the same rate as an older medication. Prompt treatment with three powerful antiretroviral drugs after HIV exposure prevented infection in a young girl, according to researchers.
Over 5,000 experts worldwide support the Durban Declaration, stating that HIV is the cause of AIDS and urging governments to focus on prevention efforts. The declaration aims to eliminate misinformation and mobilize the world to combat the devastating consequences of AIDS.
Expansion of methadone programs would reduce the spread of HIV to the general population, resulting in significant health benefits. The study estimated that expansion of methadone treatment capacity would cost between $8,200 and $10,900 for every quality-adjusted life year gained.
Scientists have created a novel dinucleotide molecule that appears to outlast existing treatments in cells. The integrase inhibitor has the potential to prevent HIV infection by blocking its ability to replicate in non-infected human cells.
A new study using a decision analysis model found that sildenafil was as cost-effective as kidney dialysis, cholesterol lowering medication or coronary artery bypass surgery. An editorial questions whether health insurance should cover treatment for erectile dysfunction when many Americans are not covered.
A new UC Francisco study reveals a link between chronic use of protease inhibitors and the development of avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head in HIV/AIDS patients. Early diagnosis can lead to effective treatment, but high-risk hip replacement surgery is associated with infection risk for these patients.
The study found that 27.2% of HIV patients were resistant to all three classes of drugs, while 29.1% had resistance to two classes and 21.9% were resistant to one. This underscores the importance of resistance testing for treatment decision-making in HIV clinical practice.
Two studies found that voluntary counseling and testing significantly reduces unprotected intercourse among HIV individuals and couples, with behavior changes maintained over time. The studies also estimate the intervention's cost-effectiveness, finding it averts infections and saves lives at a lower cost than other HIV interventions.