Articles tagged with Human Immunodeficiency Virus
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 team of nurses and physicians has received a four-year, $3 million grant to extend traditional HIV treatment protocols to improve cardiovascular health. The project aims to address the rising prevalence of cardiovascular disease among HIV patients.
A multi-institutional team has revealed new details about the HIV virus capsid structure and its role in the life cycle. Researchers found that a naturally occurring small molecule called IP6 plays an important part in both immature and mature phases of the HIV life cycle, making it a potential target for new treatments.
Researchers identified seven specific HPV types linked to increased risk of HIV infection in a study published in PLOS ONE. The study found that individuals with any HPV type, multiple HPV types, or high-risk HPV were more likely to test positive for HIV.
A randomized controlled study found that a sexual education and skills-building program reduced the risk of new STIs by 45% among black girls aged 14 to 18. The adapted program, IMARA, will be tested in South Africa with 525 daughter-female caregiver pairs.
In a groundbreaking operation, doctors at the University of Witwatersrand performed the world's first intentional liver transplant from an HIV-positive mother to her HIV-negative child. The successful transplant has raised hopes for using this method to save additional lives. However, the team is now unsure of the child's HIV status.
A study found that vedolizumab reduces formation of HIV-infected T cell clusters in the small intestines. The compound proved safe over a 30-week period, supporting its potential as a tool to eradicate HIV.
A 4-year-old boy was infected with HIV-1 after accidental exposure to the virus through his father's skin blisters during seroconversion, a period of viral replication and immune response. The transmission highlights the importance of understanding HIV transmission in atypical ways.
Researchers found that a combination of multiple antibodies targeting distinct regions of HIV can suppress the virus and prevent resistance. In a pilot clinical trial, participants who received infusions of broadly neutralizing antibodies maintained viral suppression for over 15 weeks after stopping antiretroviral therapy.
Researchers have developed a novel immunotherapy that can suppress HIV for months at a time, using a combination of two anti-HIV antibodies. The treatment, called broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs), has shown promising results in clinical trials, with some patients experiencing sustained viral suppression for over four months.
A new HIV immunotherapy study has demonstrated the safety and tolerability of a cell therapy approach involving ex vivo expansion of T cells. The study found that the treatment was well-tolerated with few adverse events, although no significant enhancement of the magnitude of the HIV-specific immune response was observed.
A clinical trial is testing infusions of two potent, HIV-specific antibodies to evaluate their safety and effectiveness in suppressing HIV. The study aims to provide a potential alternative to daily antiretroviral therapy.
A special Festschrift dedicated to Dr. Mathilde Krim celebrates her life and medical career, featuring articles on HIV research and a range of scientific studies contributed by the Krim Fellows. The issue highlights key findings on CD4-HIV-1 envelope interactions and the complex role of immunoglobulin A in HIV, among other topics.
A new study found that over a quarter of HIV medical providers surveyed couldn't say whether their state had expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Providers in states that expanded Medicaid were more likely to believe the law would improve HIV outcomes, but all providers agreed it would improve overall healthcare outcomes.
A new project aims to increase HIV testing among Nigerian youth by developing and implementing innovative tools for self-testing. Researchers will use open challenges and entrepreneurship training to engage youth in creating effective HIV services.
A new study by Yale University suggests that the HIV outbreak in Scott County, Indiana, could have been drastically reduced if state officials had acted sooner on warnings. The study provides quantitative evidence that the number of undiagnosed HIV infections had already fallen substantially before a public health emergency was declared.
A large study identified 67 post-treatment controllers with low viral loads for 24 weeks or longer without medication. These individuals had lower levels of intact viral DNA and smaller viral reservoirs before treatment interruption.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill HIV Cure Center and Cell Microsystems will use the NIH grant to automate and streamline the measurement of the HIV reservoir. The team aims to accurately detect emergence of HIV after exposure to potential therapeutics and evaluate the efficacy of latency reversal therapies.
Researchers have developed a novel method to date 'hibernating' HIV strains, revealing a genetically diverse latent reservoir that can persist for decades. The study confirms the importance of understanding the timeline and characteristics of HIV in the latent reservoir for developing an effective cure.
A new intervention has been found to reduce mortality rates by 50% among people with HIV who inject drugs. The program combines psychosocial counseling, guidance on the healthcare system, and support from systems navigators to increase treatment participation and HIV suppression.
A crowdsourced intervention led to an 8.9% absolute increase in the number of gay men who got tested for HIV in eight Chinese cities. The campaign used a multimedia approach, including contests for images, concepts, and messages, to promote HIV testing.
Researchers found a 9% increase in HIV testing during the intervention period, with crowdsourcing effective in promoting HIV self-testing among MSM. The study suggests crowdsourcing as a tool for developing youth-friendly HIV services and improving treatment outcomes worldwide.
A new program, Skills TO Manage Pain (STOMP), aims to address the unique needs of people living with HIV and chronic pain. The NIH-funded trial will evaluate the effectiveness of peer-led group sessions and sponsorship in managing pain.
Genital warts may increase the risk of HIV transmission if left untreated. Researchers found a higher density of HIV-target cells on anogenital warts, suggesting these lesions can be highly susceptible to infection.
A recent study found that rates of viral suppression among HIV-infected adults improved from 32% in 1997 to 86% in 2015, but disparities persist across demographic groups. Closing treatment gaps and addressing social and economic barriers to care will be essential to ending the US HIV epidemic.
Viral suppression rates have nearly tripled in the US over the past two decades due to improved treatment regimens. However, disparities persist among younger persons and blacks living with HIV, warranting further research. The study found that these populations were more likely to have detectable viral loads.
Researchers studied the impact of public health-oriented drug law reforms on HIV incidence among people who inject drugs in Tijuana, Mexico. Implementing reforms could prevent 21% of new HIV infections if incarceration is reduced and individuals are diverted to evidence-based treatment.
Research suggests that conditions of a first sexual encounter, such as age and consent, can indicate future risk of HIV infection and gender-based violence. Adolescent girls and young women who experience forced or coerced sex encounters are four to five times more likely to face ongoing gender-based violence.
A new HIV therapy has been shown to reduce viral replication and increase immune cells in individuals with advanced, drug-resistant HIV infection. The study found that nearly half of patients experienced viral load suppression at six months, making it a promising option for those with multi-drug resistance.
A new study finds that brief motivational interviewing interventions during routine HIV care can significantly reduce heavy drinking and improve condomless sex behavior among MSM living with HIV. Over a year, participants who received the intervention reported fewer drinks per week and days of heavy drinking.
Researchers found that in people living with HIV, a type of antibody called immunoglobulin G3 (IgG3) stops B cells from doing their normal job of fighting pathogens. This phenomenon appears to be one way the body tries to reduce immune-system hyperactivity caused by HIV.
Scientists used supercomputers to model HIV-1 replication and identified inositol hexakisphosphate as a key molecule promoting assembly and maturation. This discovery opens a door for developing new treatments and therapeutics.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine study identified CMPK2 and BCLG as potential new drug targets for the treatment of HIV. The researchers found that these genes are selectively activated in response to type 1 interferon, a drug once used to treat hepatitis C.
A UC Riverside-led study found that adults' willingness to get HIV tested is influenced by factors such as stigma, education, provider recommendations, risk perceptions, and cost. The study also highlighted the need for targeted interventions to reach older adults and Hispanics, who are disproportionately affected by HIV in the US.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine aim to develop strategies to decrease persistent HIV RNA expression and inflammation, driving disease pathogenesis in older individuals living with HIV. Chronic inflammation is a major concern in HIV-infected patients, particularly as they age.
Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory used computer simulations to accurately predict HIV transmission patterns and track the disease's spread. The study found that genetic signatures can be used to determine the origin and time frame of an infection, allowing for targeted prevention campaigns.
Namibia achieved high levels of viral load suppression among women and adults, with progress attributed to targeted expansion of prevention and treatment services. However, gaps remain in western Africa, particularly among young women and men, highlighting the need for expanded primary HIV prevention and treatment resources.
Rural East African communities that hosted annual health fairs saw higher overall survival and viral suppression rates compared to standard care. Annual multi-disease health fairs delivered patient-centered, streamlined HIV care, resulting in fewer new HIV cases, better control of hypertension and diabetes, and lower TB rates.
According to Dr. Fauci, sustained ART-free remission involves suppressing latent virus without daily medication. Two approaches are being explored: intermittent non-ART interventions and stimulating the immune system to exert long-lasting control over HIV.
The RIVER study tested a 'kick and kill' approach to target HIV reservoirs, forcing the virus out of hiding and killing it. Despite initial findings that the therapy didn't add up to a potential cure, researchers say the trial paves the way for testing different combinations to tackle persistent HIV in patients on antiretroviral treatm...
A study of pediatric emergency department data found that only 27.7% of young women with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) were screened for syphilis, and 22% were screened for HIV. Screening rates varied significantly by hospital, with some facilities testing as little as 2% of high-risk patients.
The International Antiviral Society-USA has updated its recommendations for treating, preventing HIV infection, emphasizing advances in prevention and treatment. The new guidelines cover initiating therapy, monitoring individuals starting therapy, changing regimens, and preventing HIV infection for those at risk.
In Southern Mozambique, half of those diagnosed with HIV do not enroll in medical care. The study highlights the need to develop interventions to facilitate access to care and treatment among this population. Only 44% attend a medical visit three months after diagnosis, while 25% initiate antiretroviral treatment.