Research on HIV infection and how the virus behaves. Covers viral persistence, prevention policy, adolescent consent, and how HIV infects cells.
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.
A new study found that expansion of HIV treatment eligibility to include those under 15 led to significant increases in antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation among 10-14 year-olds. The 'Treat All' policies improved access to ART, with large increases seen in seven countries.
A study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that many high-risk individuals eligible for HIV preventive medication face knowledge gaps, attitudinal roadblocks, and placement of responsibility on patients, leading to low access rates. The researchers recommend increased primary care access and educational initiat...
A study of newborns in Botswana found that initiating antiretroviral therapy immediately after birth reduces the frequency of reservoir cells and improves immune responses. The Early Infant Treatment Study showed measurable benefits from early treatment, suggesting strategies to test and treat infants at birth may improve outcomes.
A two-year study shows that starting antiretroviral therapy within hours of birth significantly reduces the HIV reservoir and improves immune responses in infants. This finding suggests that early treatment may substantially improve health outcomes in infants with HIV.
Researchers Éric A. Cohen and Tram NQ Pham have discovered a method to suppress HIV infection in humanized mice by boosting the levels of plasmacytoid dendritic cells, which can help control the spread of the virus at its early stages.
A recent study suggests that wound healing in mucous tissues during early SIV infection may prevent disease progression and AIDS. The researchers found that African green monkeys, a natural host for HIV, quickly activate regenerative wound healing mechanisms in their mucosal tissue, interrupting the course of the disease.
Researchers discovered that malaria infection triggers the production of highly potent antibodies through strong inflammatory signals, which could be harnessed for new vaccines and therapies against hepatitis C and HIV. The immune system's response to malaria is distinct from chronic viral infections and autoimmune diseases.
A peer-reviewed commentary warns of widening HIV infection disparities among Hispanics/Latinos, with the highest increase seen in gay and bisexual men aged 25-34. The article advocates for targeted investment in stigma reduction, treatment accessibility, behavioral interventions, and community leadership engagement to address the crisis.
Researchers found increased variability in electrical 'resetting' between heartbeats in people with HIV, linked to virus levels and increasing risk of sudden cardiac deaths. The study suggests that this measure could be used to assess risk and identify ways to intervene.
A new study in Malawi found that sex workers prioritize convenience when accessing HIV-prevention medication, with family planning clinics and non-governmental drop-in centers being preferred locations. The women also emphasized the importance of extra health services, male healthcare providers, and convenient dosing schedules.
A recent study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals how the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) evades detection by the zinc-finger antiviral protein ZAP. Researchers found that HIV's RNA has evolved to mimic a specific sequence, allowing it to dodge ZAP's binding ability.
A new study found that stigma about HIV preventive medication (PrEP) use is significantly associated with lower intention to start PrEP among women. The study recommends expanding public messaging, addressing stereotype beliefs, and designing interventions that integrate stigma reduction at the individual and community levels.
A recent study published in Science reveals that measles virus infection can eliminate up to 73% of a child's protective antibodies, rendering them defenseless against other viruses. The discovery underscores the importance of widespread vaccination and highlights the potential consequences of measles infection on the immune system.
Researchers at Temple University have discovered that an existing HIV drug can suppress Zika virus infection by targeting a common enzyme. The study opens the door to developing a broad-spectrum treatment strategy for multiple RNA virus infections using the same approach.
A recent study uses whole-genome sequencing to understand the evolutionary history of an XDR-TB strain that emerged in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The research identifies key factors contributing to its spread, including HIV coinfection and human migration, highlighting the importance of early detection and containment strategies.
Researchers from Penn-led study suggest that tuberculous infection is rarely life-long and that 90% of infected people will not develop active TB. The study found that immunological memory to the disease can outlast elimination of infection, making it difficult to detect those at risk.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes and Xyphos Biosciences have developed convertibleCAR, a cell-based immunotherapy that reduces the latent HIV reservoir in infected patients on anti-retroviral therapy. The technology combines cytotoxic T cells with antibodies, offering a flexible approach to fighting the virus.
US immigrant detention centers have faced criticism over deplorable conditions, including overcrowding and lack of access to healthcare. Seven children have died in the last 10 months amidst outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles and mumps.
Researchers will study immune responses needed to prevent initial infection, establish latent infection, and transition to active TB, with a global footprint.
A new study has found that syphilis infection rates are significantly higher in dialysis patients compared to the general population. The study, published in the Clinical Kidney Journal, screened over 759,000 patients and found a rate more than three times that of the general population.
A study found that around half a million men who have sex with men in the EU need HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) but face barriers to accessing it. The estimated 'PrEP gap' ranged from 4.3% in Portugal to 44.8% in Russia, highlighting the need for improved accessibility of PrEP.
South Africa sees a tenfold increase in adolescents on HIV treatment since 2010, yet fewer than 50% successfully initiate antiretroviral therapy. The rise is attributed to the country's successful ART program, but concerns about stigma and care barriers persist.
The NIH has awarded contracts to establish three new centers for immunology research to accelerate progress in TB vaccine development. The program aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of the immune responses required to prevent TB infection and disease.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine identified a principal cellular player controlling HIV reproduction in immune cells, which when turned off or deleted eliminates dormant HIV reservoirs. The discovery highlights a potential therapeutic target to eradicate HIV and AIDS.
Researchers outline effective engagement strategies, including youth community advisory boards and social media outreach. They also provide guidance on selecting and training recruitment staff, monitoring study progress, and addressing legal issues.
Researchers say hospital emergency departments can play a critical role in curbing the spread of HIV infections in hard-to-reach populations. By initiating treatment and case management, EDs may be able to reach key targets in the global fight against HIV/AIDS.
Researchers at Texas Biomedical Institute have discovered that lung-specific chronic immune activation is responsible for the progression of disease in HIV patients. This dysfunction leads to a constant production of cytokines and chemokines, dysregulating the body's ability to fight off other infections.
The University of California, San Diego's Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) has been awarded $1.2 million in funding to support research and implementation of the Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative. The initiative aims to reduce new infections by 90% by 2030. CFAR will lead teams working on four pillars: diagnose, treat, prevent, and res...
Researchers developed an animal model to test HIV infection and therapies in infants, allowing them to study viral rebound after antiretroviral therapy interruption. The simian-human immunodeficiency virus-infected infant rhesus macaque model mimics breast milk transmission and simulates human infants' immune responses.
Research found that parasitic helminths like Schistosoma mansoni can block HIV-1 interactions with dendritic cells and induce CD4 lymphocytes that down-modulate infection. This could influence disease course in co-infected individuals.
The NIH has awarded $11 million to 23 institutions to develop locally relevant plans for diagnosing, treating, and preventing HIV in high-new HIV cases areas. Researchers will focus on implementing proven treatment and prevention tools, including daily antiretroviral therapy and pre-exposure prophylaxis.
In a feasibility study, PrEP was successfully integrated into family planning clinics in Kenya, with 114 women out of 278 initiating PrEP experiencing no HIV infections. The study indicates that integration of screening for HIV risk and preventive treatment among young women in a family planning clinic setting is feasible.
A mutation in the Transportin 3 gene that causes a rare muscle disease is found to protect against HIV-1 infection. The study uses blood cells from patients with this mutation to understand how it works and may lead to new therapeutic strategies for both diseases.
A review of autopsy reports reveals that early in the HIV epidemic, the average age of death was 36, increasing to 54 by 2010 due to development of antiviral therapies. However, people are still dying predominantly from underlying disease rather than just old age, with infections like pneumonia and hepatitis C contributing to deaths.
Scientists found that frequent and sustained semen exposure can change the characteristics of immune cells targeted by HIV-1, reducing susceptibility to future infections. While it does not block infection, repeated semen exposure may promote host resistance, raising new hypotheses for HIV vaccine studies and prevention strategies.
A recent study found that people living with HIV have a significantly elevated risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and coughs, heart disease, pregnancy mortality and sepsis, anemia, and bone fractures. The review combined data from 20 observational studies to examine 55 different illnesses.
A novel mechanism has been discovered that explains how specific types of cervicovaginal microbiome can protect women against chlamydial infection. The research found that certain bacteria in the vagina can produce D-lactic acid, which down-regulates cell cycling and blocks the entry of Chlamydia trachomatis into human cells.
A new chlamydia vaccine has shown promising early signs of effectiveness in a phase 1 clinical trial, provoking an immune response in all participants. The vaccine, CTH522, demonstrated improved performance with added liposomes, producing higher antibody levels and a more consistent cell-mediated immune response.
Researchers at University of Texas Medical Branch developed a new medication that works with the human body to further suppress HIV, potentially leading to HIV remission. The treatment targets dormant HIV genes by programming a protein called BRD4 to silence the virus.
A study published in PLOS Pathogens found that HIV-infected cells release a viral protein called Nef, impairing cholesterol metabolism and triggering inflammation in uninfected bystander cells. This impairment causes the formation of excessive lipid rafts and triggers inflammation, potentially contributing to various co-morbidities ass...
Viral hepatitis affects around 9 million Europeans, with over 50,000 newly diagnosed cases annually. Targeted testing is essential to reach those at risk and reduce undiagnosed infections.
A single viral factor released from HIV-infected cells impairs cholesterol metabolism in uninfected cells, triggering inflammation and contributing to the development of diseases such as dementia, heart disease, and diabetes. Targeted treatment may provide a longer and healthier life for people living with HIV/AIDS.
A new study reveals that HIV transmission occurs mainly through direct cell-to-cell contact in 3D cell cultures, contradicting the traditional assumption of viral particle diffusion. This breakthrough could lead to new therapeutic approaches for HIV treatment.
A new viral HIV vaccine has successfully protected rhesus macaques from high-dose SIVmac239 challenges, a notoriously difficult-to-defeat strain. The vaccine uses a gene-therapy inspired approach and durable protection is achieved with a single inoculation.
A new study found that a HIV program in Botswana increased population viral suppression to high levels, resulting in a nearly one-third reduction in new infections. The intervention included universal HIV testing and counseling, support for accessing care, and expanded ART initiation.
A study found that HIV cells can be detected in the cerebrospinal fluid of half of participants with nearly a decade of strict treatment, associated with higher likelihood of cognitive deficits. The presence of these cells may indicate an important reservoir for the virus in the brain that cannot be overlooked.
A study published in Nature Immunology reveals that HIV drug therapy leaves 'holes' in the immune system, which may contribute to the lack of viral control. The researchers identified key differences in gene expression between HIV patients with and without effective immune responses.
Researchers at the Institut Pasteur successfully reprogrammed immune cells from individuals who naturally control HIV infection, granting them enhanced antiviral potency. This breakthrough could lead to novel treatments and potential cure options for those living with HIV, as previously described in a study published in Nature Metabolism.
A study by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reveals a consistent rise in syphilis cases across Europe, mostly affecting men who have sex with men. The ECDC analysis highlights the need for public health control measures, including case finding, management, and educational activities to combat this trend.
Researchers discovered a new protein called KHNYN that works together with the known virus-killing protein ZAP to target viral genomes and destroy viruses. This natural antiviral system has potential applications in developing new vaccines and treatments for cancer.
A machine-learning algorithm predicts high-risk patients for HIV, flagging nearly half of those who later become infected. The tool uses 44 relevant variables from electronic health records and identifies 2.2% of patients as high or very high risk within 3 years.
Researchers developed a novel method to identify patients at high risk of HIV infection, which can benefit from preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) strategies. The algorithm analyzed electronic health records and successfully distinguished between patients who did or did not acquire HIV, with high precision.
Researchers at Temple University and UNMC eliminate HIV DNA from animal genomes using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, achieving a critical step towards a possible cure for human HIV infection. The study combines gene editing with LASER ART therapy to suppress HIV replication and eradicate the virus from cells.
The study found that antiretroviral therapy (ART) averted 9.5 million deaths worldwide between 1995-2015, with global economic benefits reaching $1.05 trillion. Future projections estimate that up to 40.2 million new HIV infections could be avoided by 2030, generating $4.02 trillion in economic gains.
A recent study highlights the need to screen older individuals with HIV for diabetes mellitus, which shows a significant correlation with age and race. The study also suggests that traditional glycated haemoglobin tests may underestimate diabetes diagnosis in HIV-positive patients, emphasizing the importance of considering alternative ...
Researchers have identified CD11c+ dendritic cells as the first immune cells to interact with HIV, making them key drivers of infection. These newly discovered cells can capture viruses and deliver them to CD4 T cells, which are primary targets for HIV replication.
Princeton University researchers have developed a scalable cell culture system that allows for detailed investigation of how host cells respond to infection with HBV and HDV. The system, called SACC-PHH, enables chronic HBV infection for up to 40 days, providing unprecedented opportunities to study host responses to hepatitis viruses.
A University of Cincinnati researcher is conducting an omics analysis of synthetic opioids and HIV to better understand their interactions. The study aims to develop new therapies for individuals battling addiction and living with HIV.
The USPSTF recommends offering preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with effective antiretroviral therapy to individuals at high risk of acquiring HIV. This recommendation aims to decrease their risk of infection and can help mitigate the significant health consequences associated with untreated HIV.