Articles tagged with Human Immunodeficiency Virus
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The HIV pandemic is not on track to end by 2030 and current approaches are insufficient. A new Lancet Commission calls for collaboration between researchers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to win the global fight against HIV.
Research suggests VMMC has already impacted Zimbabwe's HIV epidemic and will continue to provide significant health and economic benefits. By 2021, the program aims to reach 80% coverage among 15-29-year-olds and 30% among 10-14-year-olds.
A global study found that people infected with HIV are twice as likely to suffer from heart disease, with the greatest impact in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia Pacific regions. The study highlights the need for targeted treatments to maximize resources in countries with limited healthcare funding.
A screening tool used on HIV-positive children in South Africa found nearly four times the odds of delays in sitting, standing and speaking compared to HIV-negative children. The study suggests increased attention to early HIV diagnosis and intervention is critical to prevent neurocognitive issues.
Despite highly effective anti-HIV pharmaceuticals, HIV remains a persistent threat, with significant equity gaps in access to PrEP. Research identifies barriers affecting minority groups and highlights the need for targeted interventions to increase awareness and facilitate equitable access to PrEP.
A novel online HIV prevention program has reduced sexually transmitted infections in gay young men by 40 percent, reports a Northwestern Medicine study. The program, Keep It Up!, weaves HIV prevention information into the typical experiences of young gay men, targeting settings such as dating and starting new relationships.
A new study from the CDC estimates substantial numbers of people infected with HIV, but unaware of their infection, weren
Researchers found no association between efavirenz and depression or suicidal ideation in Ugandan HIV patients. Efavirenz, a commonly used HIV cocktail worldwide, was previously linked to adverse psychiatric side effects in US and European populations.
A syringe services program significantly reduced injection-related risk behaviors in Scott County, including syringe sharing by 88%, and prevented an outbreak of 181 HIV infections. The program's success was attributed to its provision of sterile syringes, education, and social services.
Monash researchers have discovered a unique set of 'super' receptors on immune cells capable of killing HIV across genetically diverse populations. These killer CD4+ T cells can recognize HIV fragments in people with different HLA molecules, a feature that may help control the spread of the disease.
Despite recent drops in HIV diagnoses across all US populations, African-Americans continue to be overrepresented among those diagnosed with HIV. The disparity has worsened, with Black males being 8.4 times more likely to be diagnosed than whites.
A new study has identified a distinct group of men who may be underestimating their HIV risk due to fear of stigma and rejection. These men, including bisexual and non-gay-identified individuals, tend to mix with each other and acquire infection from within their own networks, rather than openly gay men or heterosexual women.
A new experimental vaccine regimen has been developed using a vulnerable site on HIV to induce antibodies that can neutralize multiple strains of the virus. In tests with mice, guinea pigs, and monkeys, the vaccine elicited antibodies that neutralized up to 31% of viruses from a globally representative panel of 208 HIV strains.
Researchers discovered a small molecule that destroys HIV protein Tat, which is responsible for revving up the virus. The molecule reveals proteins in host cells that can potentially target Tat and halt its replication process. This finding offers new insights into the biology of HIV and potential targets for therapy.
Researchers have discovered a 400-million-year-old anti-viral protein that can potentlly block HIV, revealing an evolutionary arms race between the virus and the immune system. This ancient gene, HERC5, has been involved in a centuries-long battle for survival with viruses, resulting in sophisticated shields to block them.
A study published in AIDS Care found that patients on a single-tablet daily regimen had better treatment retention and viral suppression than those taking multiple pills. The single-pill regimen resulted in higher rates of adherence, retention, and HIV suppression.
A study found that late HIV diagnoses remain high, prompting the need for expanded testing. HIV diagnoses are increasingly being made outside of traditional sexual health clinics.
Researchers found that HIV uses alternative splicing to tune random noise, dictating its fate and function. This inefficient process could be targeted to create novel HIV cure strategies.
A new study led by UTSA researcher Phillip Schnarrs found that family approval is a major barrier to PrEP uptake among Latino gay and bisexual men. The research suggests that racial disparities, limited knowledge, financial barriers, language barriers, and lack of insurance coverage contribute to the low PrEP adoption rates among minor...
The HOPE in Action Multicenter Kidney Study evaluates the safety and efficacy of kidney transplants between people with HIV, following the passage of the HOPE Act of 2013. Researchers track outcomes of 160 kidney transplants, comparing recipients who received organs from HIV-positive donors to those from uninfected donors.
A new study suggests that early HIV treatment can prevent brain atrophy and cognitive decline, emphasizing the importance of timely antiretroviral therapy. By analyzing MRI data from patients with early HIV infection, researchers found that cART treatment halted volume loss and cortical thinning in several brain regions.