Research on HIV infection and how the virus behaves. Covers viral persistence, prevention policy, adolescent consent, and how HIV infects cells.
Researchers at The Wistar Institute identified a cell-surface glycomic signature associated with persistent HIV transcription in T cells. This signature, characterized by the presence of fucose and Sialyl-LewisX, may help target hidden HIV reservoirs during antiretroviral therapy.
A new study found that HIV screening every three months compared to annually improves clinical outcomes and is cost-effective among high-risk YMSM in the US. The study also suggests that more frequent screening could lead to improved life expectancy and reduced HIV transmission among these men.
A study by Radboud University Medical Center found that a single pill of dolutegravir per day is equally effective as a combination therapy in children, reducing dosage complexity and increasing treatment accessibility. This simplified dosing regimen has been integrated into World Health Organization guidelines and FDA approval.
A significant number of people living with hepatitis B and C infections across Europe remain undiagnosed, hindering progress towards the Sustainable Development Goal for health. Effective testing strategies and linkage to care can help prevent transmission and improve health outcomes.
A Rutgers researcher has found that a weakened immune system, rather than HIV itself, contributes to the prevalence of dental cavities in children. The study, published in Scientific Reports, sampled nearly 300 children and found that those with normal immunity levels had lower cavity rates, regardless of HIV status
Researchers discover that cytomegalovirus enters a dormant state by varying protein levels in viral particles, allowing the virus to survive and persist for life. This 'bet-hedging' strategy enables the virus to balance between infectiousness and latency.
A new modeling study suggests that the number of infection-initiating viral variants is primarily determined by how long the source partner has been infected. The risk for multiple-founder variant transfer during sexual HIV exposure is nearly doubled during the first three months of the source partner's infection.
A preprint about a coronavirus variant with a mutation leading to increased transmissibility underwent significant changes upon peer review. The revised paper presents additional experimental and clinical data suggesting the variant may be more infectious, but its impact on disease severity remains uncertain.
Researchers found that HIV-positive adults' brains process speech cues differently, with disrupted responses even when hearing tests are normal. This non-invasive test holds promise for understanding brain dysfunction in HIV and other disorders.
Yale researchers identified four approved drugs that can suppress HIV reactivation and reduce damaging immune responses. These drugs, including ruxolitinib and mycophenolic acid, show promise as a complement to antiretroviral therapy in treating HIV infection.
Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys have developed a new drug called Ciapavir that effectively reactivates dormant human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) without overactivating the immune system. This approach, called 'shock and kill,' aims to create a functional HIV cure by eliminating all pockets of dormant HIV.
Researchers have found that CD47, a natural brake on the immune system, can be turned off to help fight infections. By blocking CD47-mediated signaling, scientists may develop a new immunotherapy to treat a wide range of infectious diseases.
Researchers estimated life expectancy differences between HIV-infected and uninfected adults from 2000 to 2016. Antiretroviral therapy has increased life expectancy for those with HIV, addressing a gap in recent data on the topic.
Researchers found that astrocytes in the brain can harbor HIV and spread it to immune cells that travel to other organs, even when treated with combination antiretroviral therapy. The study suggests that HIV reservoirs in the brain must be targeted for effective cure strategies.
Fatah Kashanchi and Lance Liotta investigate cannabidiol's impact on reducing HIV-1 transcription and extracellular vesicle release, which may lead to decreased virus production and neuroinflammation. The study aims to define the mechanisms behind cannabinoid-mediated EV production reduction.
New studies from Flinders University highlight key areas for improvement in HIV management in developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan regions. Nutritional programs should address underlying challenges like poverty and food insecurity, while prisons often struggle with optimal HIV care due to stigma and resource limitations.
Healthcare professionals are risking their lives to care for patients with COVID-19 infection due to inadequate PPE. Governments and voters are partly to blame for this situation, which is a preventable consequence of underfunding health services.
A study found that people infected with Hepatitis D have up to three times the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma compared to those infected only with Hepatitis B. Researchers are calling for increased awareness and screening of Hepatitis D in patients with Hepatitis B.
UC Riverside scientists have solved a 20-year-old genetics puzzle, differentiating three particles of Brome Mosaic virus. The discovery could lead to ways to protect wheat, barley, and other crops from the virus.
After allogeneic stem cell transplantation, a critical window of vulnerability exists for re-infection with HIV. New T-cell responses to HIV proteins from donor cells develop after this time, indicating a weak point that may explain incomplete removal of the virus.
Researchers found that LACTIN-V, a product containing healthy vaginal bacteria, significantly reduced the recurrence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) in women. The study also suggests that LACTIN-V may have the potential to prevent HIV infection and preterm birth.
Researchers found that silent transmission can enable the pathogen to infect greater numbers of people, but also has drawbacks such as reduced infectious particles. The study's findings inform public health control measures like quarantines and testing.
Researchers have identified a new potential reservoir of latent HIV, specifically CD127 cells in tissues, which harbor the virus's genetic material but silence its expression. These cells may be targeted for an HIV cure, offering hope for developing an effective treatment.
Researchers are testing the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine as a preventative therapy for COVID-19 in healthy individuals who have been exposed to infected patients. The study aims to prevent infection and symptoms, with the goal of protecting vulnerable populations and reducing transmission within households.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet found similar changes in the immune cells of both infected and exposed infants, suggesting a possible explanation for the low infection risk. The study aims to understand how the immune system can be protected against hepatitis C in the future.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed synthetic bryostatin analogs that boost the effectiveness of cell therapies and show promise as a functional cure for HIV/AIDS. The new compounds were tested on lab-grown human cancer cells and found to be more effective than bryostatin in some cases.
New research on the structure of HIV has revealed a promising novel drug target that can prevent further infection by targeting the genetic code. This discovery offers hope for more effective treatments and potentially fewer side effects for HIV patients.
A new analysis supports prior reports that people with sickle cell disease experience lower rates of HIV infection. However, the molecular characteristics of immune system cells do not explain the reduced risk.
Between 2008-2018, deaths from infectious diseases decreased steadily, with a significant shift towards HIV/AIDS among 15-24 year olds. Traditional vaccine-preventable diseases have largely disappeared, but seasonal and unpredictable diseases remain a concern.
Researchers created a laboratory model of three types of brain cells to study HIV's impact on the central nervous system. The model revealed that HIV infection can take a toll on the brain, causing inflammation and damage. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) can reduce inflammation by around 70%, but also triggers its own unique response.
Research found that regular screening and access to new treatments have significantly reduced new hepatitis C infections among HIV-positive men in London and Brighton. The study analyzed data from over 9,000 men at risk of hepatitis C and showed a decline in new cases, with the lowest recorded since 2008.
Researchers used a combination of CTLA-4 and PD-1 blockers to shrink the size of the viral 'reservoir' in SIV-infected monkeys. The treatment showed promising results, but did not prevent or delay viral rebound once antiviral drugs were stopped.
Researchers found that starting ART immediately after HIV infection significantly reduces viral reservoirs, making them 100 times smaller. This discovery provides new hope for eradicating the virus.
Researchers discovered that a Mx protein, called MxB, helps cells fight viral infections by supporting mitochondrial function and integrity. The study provides new insights into the role of MxB in cellular defense against viral infections.
Primate immunodeficiency viruses have evolved to neutralize the human defense system by inactivating BST-2. The researchers identified a specific amino acid sequence in Vpu protein that enables this adaptation, allowing the virus to survive in a hostile environment.
A study by UTSA researchers found a significant link between cultural values and how individuals express illness. Participants who identified as stoics or had lower household incomes were more likely to claim being sick. The study's findings have implications for understanding sickness behavior and its relationship with social norms.
The USPSTF now recommends screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) in adults aged 18-79, following a decade of rising cases linked to increased injection drug use. This updated guidance aims to reduce deaths from HCV, which exceeds those of other reportable infectious diseases.
Researchers propose that certain nutraceuticals can reduce inflammation in the lungs and enhance the body's primary antiviral response. Studies suggest that supplements like NAC and elderberry extracts may shorten the duration of influenza and reduce its severity, with potential benefits for COVID-19 as well.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have discovered new human genes controlling HIV infection, which could lead to the development of new therapies. The study used a large-scale genetic approach to uncover host proteins that facilitate infection and identify key genes involved in the process.
Rutgers researchers found young sexual minority men lack knowledge about HPV and its importance. Health care providers often inadequately discuss the virus and vaccine with these patients.
A study from George Washington University found that apolipoprotein A-I binding protein (AIBP) inhibits HIV-1 replication by targeting lipid rafts and reducing virus-cell fusion. This innate immunity factor provides a novel target for developing new therapeutic approaches to inhibit HIV infection.
A novel HIV antibody, 1-18, has been identified as a highly potent and effective treatment option. Unlike other antibodies, it prevents the development of viral resistance, maintaining suppressed viral loads for extended periods.
Researchers have developed a new antiviral material made from sugar that destroys viruses on contact, offering a non-toxic alternative to current treatments. The treatment has shown success against multiple viruses, including respiratory infections and genital herpes, and may help combat emerging viral diseases.
Researchers have successfully disrupted viral latency in monkeys and mice, a crucial step towards an HIV cure. The approach uses a combination of immune stimulation and depletion to reactivate the dormant virus, offering new avenues for treatment.
Scientists at UNC-Chapel Hill and Emory University successfully reversed HIV latency in animal models using compound AZD5582. The study, published in Nature, demonstrated the ability to activate latently infected CD4+ T cells without toxicity, paving the way for further research towards a cure.
Scientists reactivated resting immune cells infected with HIV or SIV, allowing viruses to be neutralized by anti-HIV drugs and the immune system. The study uses a compound called AZD5582, which activates latent cells without causing toxicity.
Researchers found that hotspots are not sources of infection but rather sinks for the virus, with more infections originating from outside communities. Inland communities with lower HIV prevalence drove more new infections in hotspot areas.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet discovered that MAIT cells respond with dynamic activity and reprogramming of gene expression during acute HIV infection. The study sheds light on the immune system's response to this phase of HIV infection.
Researchers at Norwegian University of Science and Technology have found a previously unknown way for the immune system to detect and respond to HIV infection. This discovery may hold the key to allowing the 'shock-and-kill' approach to work, where the virus is activated to be visible to the immune system and then killed.
Researchers at Florida State University College of Medicine have discovered the mechanism responsible for how two widely used antiviral drugs inhibit viruses, including HIV and hepatitis B. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more potent and effective treatments for millions of people worldwide.
A multidisciplinary inpatient team improved viral suppression rates by 30% and increased engagement in care after discharge by 30% for hospitalized HIV patients. The intervention addressed social and medical barriers, reducing future infection rates.
A new study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that New Yorkers are being treated sooner after HIV infection, with a median time of 0.2 years (~2.4 months) for those diagnosed in 2015. This reduction coincides with expanded testing and treatment efforts in the city.
Researchers found that ART may not restore immune protection from childhood vaccinations and infections prior to HIV infection. This could leave patients susceptible to chronic diseases and inflammation, potentially shortening their lifespan.
A Yale study found that treating at least 20% of people with opioid use disorder who inject drugs in Ukraine could prevent over 10,000 new HIV infections and nearly 18,000 deaths. The current rate is only 2.7%, highlighting the need for expanded access to evidence-based treatment like methadone and buprenorphine.
A study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases found that HIV-positive women who received a childhood smallpox vaccine still retained some immunity to the virus, despite receiving antiretroviral therapy. This limited response suggests that while HIV treatment can boost overall immune function, it may not restore specific memor...
A recent study found that one in three children affected by the outbreak are yet to receive treatment, highlighting the need for urgent government intervention. The average age of children affected is just 3 years old, and most cases were transmitted through reused needles and contaminated blood products.
Elite controllers, a subset of HIV-positive individuals, have distinct transcriptional profiles and enhanced ribosomal function in their lymphoid tissue CD8+ T cells. This allows them to suppress HIV replication through cytokine production, presenting an alternative approach to traditional viral eradication strategies.
A new animal model has successfully treated latent tuberculosis (TB) using a three-month course of antibiotics, showing almost complete sterilization of bacteria. This breakthrough could lead to shorter treatment regimens and improved prevention of reactivation.
Researchers found that vesicles isolated from four strains of Lactobacillus bacteria interfere with HIV infection, reducing the number of infected cells. The study suggests ways to reduce male-to-female HIV transmission.
IBP-CP24, a newly engineered peptide, exhibits prolonged half-life and potent anti-HIV activity, including effectiveness against drug-resistant strains. Its combination with broad neutralizing antibodies may reduce treatment costs.