Research on HIV epidemiology and control. Covers prevention policy, HIV-substance use links, TB co-treatment, and clearing infection in newborns.
A new study reveals the crucial role of a protein called Nef in allowing HIV to thrive within human cells despite the immune system's efforts to combat it. The research team showed that Nef antagonizes another protein called TIM, effectively reducing its power to protect human cells and making it easier for the HIV virus to release.
The HPTN 071 (PopART) study demonstrates a community-wide HIV prevention strategy can significantly reduce new HIV infections. Delivering in-home HIV testing with immediate referral to care and treatment led to a 30% decrease in new infections, outperforming another strategy offering universal treatment.
A study found that a universal 'test and treat' approach can reduce new HIV infections. Communities with home-based testing and referral to care saw a 30% decline in new infections, while those without immediate treatment saw no significant change.
Researchers designed and created proteins that mimicked different surface features of HIV, inducing rabbits to develop antibodies that could bind with the virus. The study provides a novel way to design proteins for vaccines, potentially paving the way for developing a vaccine for HIV.
The AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) presented 11 oral and 19 poster presentations on HIV and TB co-morbidities, treatment, and cure. Key findings include novel medications for MDR-TB and the impact of DMPA injections among women treated for HIV and TB.
Patients living with HIV have equal access to optimal cancer therapy, according to a recent study in the journal CANCER. The findings challenge traditional beliefs that HIV infection is a contraindication for intensive cancer treatment.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have made a breakthrough in understanding how HIV antibodies adapt to viral changes, identifying a crucial mutation that enables them to target diverse virus strains. This finding has significant implications for developing effective HIV vaccines.
Researchers at CRCHUM have shown that anti-cancer immunotherapy treatments can reveal hidden HIV viruses to the immune system, reducing their presence in cells. This approach could lead to new therapies for HIV treatment.
A new study by Rutgers researchers found that programs to prevent HIV in transgender women are helping lower the rate of new infections. The study also highlighted the need for better care and treatment, particularly among those with lower incomes or from diverse backgrounds.
The HOPE in Action Multicenter Liver Study is evaluating the safety and efficacy of transplanting livers from HIV-positive donors to HIV-positive recipients. Researchers will monitor participants for signs of organ rejection, failure, and HIV-related complications, as well as track their psychological and social responses.
Researchers uncovered an unexpected pattern of HIV infection among transgender women and cisgender men in Los Angeles County. The study suggests that transgender women are at a higher risk of being in an HIV transmission network than previously thought, highlighting the need for tailored public health efforts within this community.
Scientists at George Mason University have identified a measurable indicator of cofilin dysfunction, a key protein regulating cell migration. This discovery may lead to new therapies to repair immune damages and potentially achieve a functional cure for HIV.
A new intervention has successfully encouraged couples in a rural South African area to undergo HIV testing. The Uthando Lwethu program improved communication skills and relationship dynamics, leading to higher HIV-testing rates compared to a control group.
A new study called REACH seeks to understand the safety and acceptability of a daily oral tablet called Truvada (PrEP) and a monthly vaginal ring containing an antiretroviral drug called dapivirine. The study aims to enroll 300 young women and girls ages 16-21 in four African countries, providing them with choices in HIV prevention.
Researchers at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center found that immunotherapy checkpoint inhibitors are both safe and effective in treating advanced cancer patients with HIV. The therapy offers similar objective response rates as non-infected patients, with benefit also seen in Kaposi's sarcoma treatment.
Providers' reluctance to prescribe PrEP stems from concerns about increased risk-taking behavior among users. However, research suggests that PrEP can facilitate healthy sexual behaviors and enhance overall well-being. The authors propose strategies to mitigate biases and promote patient-centered care for PrEP dissemination.
A team of researchers has identified a connection between infection control and how well antiviral T cells respond to diverse HIV sequences. This study suggests that individual T cells differ widely in their ability to recognize peptide variants, which may be clinically significant in controlling HIV infection.
Researchers can now measure hidden, inactive HIV in patients' cells using a new genetic technique developed by Howard Hughes Medical Institute. This allows scientists to track progress depleting the latent reservoir of HIV, a crucial step towards finding a cure.
A new assay developed by NIH-supported scientists can accurately count the cells comprising the HIV reservoir, enabling researchers to understand whether their strategies are working. This advance aims to speed HIV research by allowing scientists to easily quantify the number of proviruses that must be eliminated to achieve a cure.
A study found that adolescent girls exposed to severe drought conditions in rural Lesotho had higher rates of HIV and were more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors. The researchers call for a coordinated policy to attenuate the effects of drought on HIV infection in southern Africa.
Researchers have developed a more effective treatment for visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in HIV patients, combining AmBisome with miltefosine. The combination therapy achieved parasite clearance rates of up to 88% compared to 55% with monotherapy.
A recent study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases has shown that combination therapy is highly effective in treating patients with both HIV and visceral leishmaniasis. The treatment regimen, which combines liposomal amphotericin B with the oral drug miltefosine, resulted in a 67% cure rate after 28 days of treatment.
A new 90-day vaginal ring containing tenofovir is being tested for its safety in preventing HIV and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infections. The Phase I study aims to determine the safety of the ring for three months, with results expected mid-2020.
The U=U concept has been scientifically established, showing that people with undetectable viral loads cannot transmit HIV through sex. Large clinical trials and cohort studies validate the concept, which can help control the HIV pandemic and reduce stigma.
A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that prescribed opioids increase the risk of pneumonia in individuals with and without HIV. Patients taking medium or high doses of opioid painkillers were at greater risk for pneumonia, particularly those with immunosuppressive properties.
Researchers at Michigan State University discovered that faulty SLAMF7 receptors can lead to chronic immune activation and disease-related complications in HIV patients. The finding suggests a new angle for targeting immune activation and could lead to novel drug treatments.
A randomized trial in Malawi found that providing pregnant women with HIV self-testing kits and incentivizing their male partners to test increased partner participation rates. Self-testing with financial incentives or phone reminders were particularly effective, while standalone self-testing without additional support had limited impact.
A study published in PLOS ONE finds that lay provider HIV testing is an effective way to reach people at risk of HIV who have never been tested or test infrequently. The approach resulted in a high ART initiation rate of 91% and higher HIV positivity rates compared to facility-based testing.
A new study published in Immunity shows that an experimental HIV vaccine protects rhesus macaques from infection by inducing neutralizing antibodies against a Tier 2 virus. The vaccine strategy, developed over two decades, aims to train the immune system to recognize and attack vulnerable areas on the HIV envelope protein.
Researchers found that schistosomiasis is associated with increased HIV transmission, acquisition in uninfected women, and mortality in infected women. Treating schistosomiasis may be a cost-effective way to reduce new HIV cases and death rates among HIV-positive individuals.
The NIH will fund HIV care and prevention research in counties with high rates of new HIV cases nationwide. The new initiative leverages partnerships with local health authorities and community-based groups to test sustainable interventions.
A team of researchers at Duke University Medical Center has identified a shortcut to recreate a critical HIV antibody that neutralizes the virus. By understanding the maturation pathway of this antibody, they found a strategic detour around a previous obstacle, enabling the development of more effective vaccines.
A systematic review by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found that repressive policing increases the risk of violence, poorer health, and HIV/STI rates among sex workers. Reforms are urgently needed to protect their safety, health, and rights.
Researchers discovered a way to manipulate the Tat gene circuit to activate latent HIV in cells, making them susceptible to immune system destruction or drug therapies. This could lead to a cure for HIV by targeting the latent reservoir.
A new study finds that young black gay men are 16 times more likely to have an HIV infection than their white peers, despite engaging in fewer risk behaviors. The study highlights the importance of understanding social networks and access to medical care for addressing these disparities.
A study found that a gene mutation believed to have protected people from the bubonic plague may also protect HIV patients with hepatitis C from fatal liver scarring. Researchers matched patients with and without the CCR5-delta 32 gene mutation and found that those with the mutation had less fibrosis progression.
Canadian researchers found that genetic mutations affecting the HIV-1 capsid make it possible for TRIM5α to trigger an antiviral state in elite controllers, a subset of patients with strong immune systems. This mechanism could be used to develop immunity strategies against HIV.
A new smartphone and tablet application called HIVSmart! has been evaluated among an at-risk population in Montreal, showing that it is feasible and accepted by the community. The study found that 99.3% of participants who self-tested negative received counselling, while 98.8% found the app useful.
Despite substantial progress, Europe still faces challenges in diagnosing HIV-positive individuals and providing antiretroviral therapy. The report highlights a significant gap between diagnosed cases and those receiving treatment, particularly in Eastern European countries.
Researchers emphasize the importance of treating and preventing HIV among men, citing gaps in care due to gender norms and stigma. Innovative approaches are being explored, including workplace testing and care, ART home delivery, and expanded diagnosis and treatment for men.
The European Region saw a significant increase in new HIV diagnoses, with the eastern part recording over 130 000 cases. However, there is encouraging progress in the EU and EU/EEA countries, particularly among men who have sex with men, where diagnoses have declined by 20% since 2015.
A recent study found a direct link between the amount of stigma men with HIV report experiencing and their scores on cognitive tests, measuring abilities like memory and attention. The researchers suggest that addressing stigma may address cognitive impairment in this population by reducing anxiety and depression.
A new candidate HIV vaccine from Scripps Research stimulates a powerful anti-HIV antibody response in animal tests, overcoming technical hurdles that stymied previous vaccine efforts. The vaccine strategy is based on the HIV envelope protein, Env, and uses a simple method to stabilize Env proteins in the desired shape.
The ECDC Guidance promotes integrated testing strategies to reduce undiagnosed cases of hepatitis B, C, and HIV. The guidance outlines key principles, including accessibility, confidentiality, and linkage to care, to improve public health outcomes by 2030.
Nurses can collect and analyze data using smartphone applications, leading to improvements in data quality and better health outcomes for patients with HIV/AIDS. A larger selection of apps is needed to scale up mHealth innovations and combat the pandemic.
Scientists have identified a new DNA recombination process in Alzheimer's disease brains, producing thousands of previously unknown gene variations. The process, requiring an enzyme found in HIV, may hold a key to developing new treatments for the disease.
A systematic review by the Public Health Agency of Canada found that there is a negligible risk of transmitting HIV during sex when an individual has a suppressed viral load of less than 200 copies/mL. Condom use also significantly reduces transmission risk.
A study found that HIV latency differs between the gut and blood, with unique mechanisms governing transcription in each. This discovery could inform new therapies aimed at curing HIV.
A portable and affordable mobile diagnostic tool utilizing nanotechnology can detect HIV viruses from a single drop of blood. The device offers high detection precision and is suitable for individuals with limited access to medical care.
The South African National Blood Service has increased the proportion of donations from black South Africans by fivefold since 2005. This significant improvement is attributed to the implementation of individual donation nucleic acid testing (NAT), which has reduced HIV transmission risks.
A new study suggests that a monthly vaginal ring releasing dapivirine, an antiretroviral drug, poses minimal risk of developing drug-resistant HIV. The research analyzed plasma samples from women who acquired HIV during the ASPIRE Phase III trial and found no cases of dapivirine-associated resistance.
A study suggests that immunotherapy is safe and feasible for HIV-positive cancer patients. The treatment appears to be well-tolerated as long as antiretroviral therapy is continued in parallel, the key finding of the study.
Families participating in pediatric advance care planning experienced a better understanding of their child's end-of-life care choices, leading to alleviated physical symptoms. The study found that patients and families who received these sessions had significantly reduced HIV-specific symptoms up to 12 months later.
Xiuli Wang's research aims to create a single infusion therapy that can treat HIV, eliminating the need for lifelong antiretroviral drug treatment. The innovative approach combines chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells with a cytomegalovirus vaccine to stimulate the immune system.
A study found that patients with HIV are more likely to experience tuberculosis drug-related adverse events and have longer treatment durations. The researchers emphasized the importance of having resources and expertise to treat coinfected patients in areas with high HIV prevalence.
A study from Australia found a rapid decline in new HIV infections after the implementation of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for men who have sex with men. The study, which followed 3,700 participants, showed a significant reduction in HIV diagnoses by 25% within one year.
Researchers studied 3.6 million pregnancies and found beta-blockers not associated with a large increase in cardiac or general birth defects. The risk estimates were generally consistent across Nordic and US data.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine aim to create ultra-long-acting antiretroviral formulations for HIV treatment and prevention. The new grant will enable them to continue and expand upon a line of work that showed promise in animal models, where the implant delivered the drug effectively for five months.
A systematic review by CDC researchers found that HIV-related stigma varies by gender, race, provider category, and clinical setting. Inadvertent behaviors and beliefs, such as homophobia and negative views of people who inject drugs, can create barriers to HIV prevention and treatment.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that fewer than half of people with HIV are retained in care three years after release from incarceration. The study suggests that better access to health insurance and transitional case-management services may improve retention in HIV care and viral suppression.