Research on HIV epidemiology and control. Covers prevention policy, HIV-substance use links, TB co-treatment, and clearing infection in newborns.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital are developing new models to test HIV vaccines, enabling the rapid evolution of human antibodies in mice. This approach could lead to a protective version of broadly-neutralizing antibodies in uninfected individuals through preventative immunization.
Recent studies present promising methods for early HIV identification and treatment, including self-testing and expanding antiretroviral therapy eligibility. Researchers also explore curing HIV using stem cell transplantation and discuss the ongoing growth of the Russian HIV epidemic.
Researchers have found a mechanism that prevents the formation of HIV's protein shell, which is essential for infection. The discovery could lead to the development of new anti-HIV drugs by targeting specific molecular processes.
A new study reveals that HIV drug resistance is on the rise, particularly among individuals in low- to middle-income countries, where 11.1% of those starting therapy have resistant virus strains. The research highlights the importance of improving monitoring and response strategies to combat this growing threat.
A recent study has found that a cancer drug called nivolumab can drastically decrease the reservoirs of HIV-infected cells in the body, a key step towards potentially eradicating the virus. This breakthrough has been observed in a single patient with lung cancer, who showed a sustained reduction in HIV reservoirs after treatment.
A new dual-purpose drug delivery device, SCHIELD, aims to provide long-acting contraception and HIV prevention for women in low- and middle-income countries. The device, set to be launched in Kenya and South Africa, has the potential to improve health outcomes and empower women.
Researchers at Stellenbosch University found that HIV affects the brain in early stages of infection, leading to decreased blood flow and brain functional impairment. The study used fMRI scans to compare brain activity of people with and without HIV, revealing a link between frontal lobe atrophy and cognitive symptoms.
A US-funded global effort to curb HIV infection in high-risk populations appears to be working, with a 42% decline in new HIV infections. Male circumcision was shown to have a direct risk-lowering effect, while antiretroviral therapy increased the likelihood of viral suppression.
A combination of proven HIV prevention measures significantly reduced new HIV infections in a Ugandan district. The strategy includes voluntary medical male circumcision and HIV-suppressing antiretroviral therapy.
A new report by ECDC and WHO reveals that over half of HIV diagnoses in Europe occur at a late stage, leading to poorer health outcomes and increased transmission risks. Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent these outcomes, with improved testing practices and community-based services vital to addressing the issue.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) immediately following an HIV diagnosis dramatically improves retention in clinical HIV care. Patients who were eligible for ART at diagnosis were 25 percentage points more likely to start therapy and 18 percentage points more likely to remain in care at...
The new guidelines, published in CMAJ, endorse pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) as highly effective strategies to prevent HIV infection. These biomedical interventions should be used alongside behavioral interventions like condoms and risk reduction counseling.
A large cohort study found that patients with low-level viremia are at increased risk of treatment failure and developing virological failure. Clinical interventions should take place at lower viral loads than current WHO guidelines to prevent poor outcomes.
Low rates of routine HIV testing were reported in emergency departments and acute medical units in the UK and US, with operational and patient-specific factors hindering uptake. The study identifies providers' fears about offering HIV testing as a major barrier, stemming from perceived lack of knowledge about HIV.
A new study reveals barriers to routine HIV testing in emergency departments and acute medical units in the UK and US. The analysis found that operational and patient-specific factors hindered HIV testing coverage, while commitment from medical staff and local specialist providers facilitated its offer.
A new study suggests that a second HIV test can substantially reduce incorrect diagnoses in infants, saving costs on unnecessary treatment. The study found that confirmatory testing reduces the number of infants incorrectly diagnosed with HIV by 99.6%, leading to cost savings over a lifetime.
HIV-infected patients have a lower rate of cholesterol-lowering statin drugs and aspirin therapy, while antihypertensive medication therapy shows less significant differences. The study calls for improving the quality of cardiovascular care for people with HIV.
Adults with treated HIV experience cognitive decline and smaller brain volumes, but effective therapy may halt progression. Brain changes were observed even after two years of treatment, highlighting the importance of monitoring viral suppression in HIV patients.
Researchers have decoded the molecular process of HIV's cell spreading mechanism, a crucial step in understanding how the virus replicates itself. The findings offer new avenues for developing drugs to combat the virus.
A new category of immunotherapies called checkpoint inhibitors shows promise in treating cancers in HIV patients, who were previously excluded from clinical trials. The ongoing study suggests that these drugs can be safely used to manage cancer in people with HIV, providing a new hope for this population.
A recent study published in PLOS Medicine reveals that HIV patients are at a higher risk of both chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease. The research found that nearly 11% of patients experienced both conditions within one year of each other.
A new study from the University at Buffalo found that transgender women, African-Americans, and Hispanics are more likely to receive HIV testing than trans men, whites, or those with stable housing. The research aimed to identify barriers to HIV testing in urban transgender individuals.
The Transwomen Connected app aims to cater to the physical, mental and emotional needs of transgender women. The project will build a mobile app with HIV prevention tools and resources tailored specifically with their needs in mind.
A University of Maryland-led study developed a vaccine candidate that stimulates an immune response against the protective sugars of multiple HIV strains. The molecule mimics a protein-sugar part of the shield and spurs rabbits to produce antibodies, but does not prevent live HIV from infecting cells.
A comprehensive review by Australian researchers found that 15.6 million people have recently injected drugs, with 18% living with HIV infection and 52% testing positive for hepatitis C antibody. The authors highlight the need to scale up interventions for people who inject drugs to prevent the spread of blood-borne viruses.
Researchers identified specific immune memory T-cells as the site where HIV hides to evade detection, revealing a key target for future therapies. This discovery provides new insights into the chronic illness and offers potential avenues for developing a cure.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that injured patients in LMICs are disproportionately HIV-seropositive compared to matched national estimates. These patients also face a significantly increased risk of death, especially when HIV-seronegative.
Scientists have developed a new strategy to reengineer patient immune system cells to fight HIV. The approach shows benefit in human cell cultures and mice, with T cells expressing the enhanced CAR protein being over 50 times more effective than those with the original CAR.
Researchers aim to reduce comorbid illness in people living with HIV by developing personalized prebiotic and probiotic therapies, targeting gut bacteria balance. The study seeks to attenuate metabolic health issues associated with harmful alcohol use and heart disease.
A GW School of Medicine researcher is leading a five-year study on how cocaine affects HIV replication and transcription. The goal is to identify biomarkers for cocaine use and develop therapeutics for cocaine-using HIV-infected individuals.
Researchers have developed a synthetic molecule, SUW133, that awakens dormant HIV cells and then knocks them out. The technique, called 'kick and kill,' could lower the viral reservoir enough for people with HIV to discontinue their anti-viral therapy.
A study examining HIV virulence and its effect on the human immune system found that both CD4+ T cell decline and per-pathogen pathogenicity are heritable from donor to recipient. Heritability rates revealed a significant 17% impact, indicating that viral genotype plays a crucial role in infection severity.
Researchers from Kumamoto University developed a compound that suppresses viral budding, confining the virus within host cells and leading to cell death through apoptosis. This approach aims to eradicate latent HIV reservoirs, which are key to complete recovery from AIDS.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing explores the contextual social and structural factors that drive disparate HIV/AIDS rates. The study found nuanced differences by gender and race/ethnicity in modes of transmission profiles across different geographic locations.
A recent ECDC study found that the rate of newly reported HIV cases increased by 2% each year among older adults between 2004 and 2015. This translates to around 17% of new diagnoses being among people aged over 50, accounting for 5076 reported cases.
Researchers are developing a medication adherence intervention to improve antiretroviral therapy coverage among released Indonesian prisoners. The intervention, adapted from an existing program, aims to increase treatment uptake and reduce HIV-related mortality in the country's prison population. With Indonesia's high HIV infection rat...
A European study found that nearly one in six new HIV diagnoses in Europe are among people aged 50 or older. Older adults were more likely to be diagnosed with advanced HIV disease and acquire the virus through heterosexual contact. The study calls for increased awareness, targeted testing, and prevention programs for this age group.
Researchers will systematically identify resources that successful patients use to overcome HIV challenges, developing a novel public health measure called resilience. The goal is to design interventions to increase suppressed HIV viral load among patients.
Scientists at NIH and Sanofi created a trispecific antibody that protects monkeys from two strains of SHIV, a monkey form of HIV. The antibody stops more strains from infecting cells than individual natural antibodies, showing promise for long-acting prevention and treatment.
Researchers found that a combination of two broadly-neutralizing HIV-1 antibodies protected primates against infection with a mixed population of HIV viruses. The findings suggest that combination therapies might be essential to prevent HIV in people, highlighting the need for regimens that protect against several targets.
Lesotho achieves high viral load suppression rates, while Uganda's previously expanding epidemic stabilizes due to circumcision and treatment expansions. New US strategy aims to accelerate progress in high-burden countries by 2020
A recent study led by Massachusetts General Hospital estimates that nearly 10% of people with HIV currently in care in the US will die from lung cancer. Quitting smoking is crucial for reducing the risk of lung cancer and other diseases among people with HIV.
A new study projects increased lung cancer death risks among people living with HIV who smoke, with heavy smokers facing the highest mortality rates. The study suggests that tobacco use accelerates lung cancer development and should be prioritized in comprehensive care for HIV patients.
A team of researchers at the University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre has discovered a molecule that stimulates HIV replication in CD4 T cells located in the gut. They have also started testing medications to block this replication and decrease inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, which could lead to a functional cure for HIV.
A new study found a significant association between individual and community level educational status and transactional sex behavior, which is an HIV risk factor. The researchers suggest that undereducated neighborhoods may be more prone to informal economies, leading residents to engage in transactional sex.
Researchers at the University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre have discovered a molecule that stimulates HIV replication in CD4 T cells located in the gut. By targeting this molecule, medications can significantly reduce HIV replication in undetectable patients, potentially leading to a functional cure.
A $3 million collaboration between the University of Liverpool and Johns Hopkins University aims to develop novel, long-acting HIV medicines. The project seeks to create implantable technologies that can deliver drugs for weeks or months, potentially improving patient adherence.
Chronic pain affects 39-85% of people living with HIV, with neuropathic pain being a significant concern. Guidelines recommend a multidisciplinary treatment approach using non-drug options such as cognitive behavioral therapy, yoga, and physical therapy.
Researchers identified how HIV induces antiviral interferon-stimulated genes in infected cells to survive and spread, hindering the body's early immune response. The study aims to boost expression of these genes to stop virus replication.
Researchers identified glycans as a critical anchor for antibodies that can broadly neutralize the virus, suggesting vaccines targeting this region may elicit effective protection. The discovery could speed efforts to develop a successful HIV vaccine.
International panel recommends older alternative medications to reduce risk of premature birth and neonatal death, supporting patient-centered decision-making. The new guidelines take a public health perspective into account, acknowledging operational challenges in low-resource settings.
Assistant Professor Julien van Grevenynghe at INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier Research Centre has received a $25,000 award to further his research on autophagy in HIV infection. The Banting Research Foundation recognizes the potential of his work to strengthen the immune system and develop effective HIV vaccines.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Center for Vaccine Research and National Institutes of Health found that tick saliva-based drug Ixolaris reduces inflammation in monkeys infected with SIV, a primate form of HIV. The study suggests that targeting this inflammation pathway could improve the clinical management of HIV-infected ...
A 33% cutback in U.S. foreign aid for HIV treatment and prevention programs in South Africa and Côte d'Ivoire would result in devastating health and economic consequences, including over 500,000 additional cases of HIV and 1.6 million more deaths in the next decade. The study suggests that such cuts would produce proportionally greater...
A research team at GW University will study the body's natural defenses against HIV, focusing on killer T-cells that can kill infected cells. The goal is to boost these immune cells to eliminate viral reservoirs and provide guidance for further therapeutic strategy development.
A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that neighborhood socioeconomic position is a crucial predictor of cardiovascular risk. The model used to predict this risk systematically underestimated the negative effects of living in disadvantaged neighborhoods, highlighting the importance of considering ecologic circum...
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have discovered that a cancer drug called JQ1 can reactivate latent HIV, a critical barrier to a cure. By targeting the BRD4 protein, JQ1 allows the virus to make copies of itself, providing new insights into an 'old' cellular defense mechanism against invading viruses.
A USC researcher has identified a novel protein variant that can be targeted to prevent the human immunodeficiency virus from harming HIV-positive individuals. This approach differs from traditional methods of targeting viruses and may offer a more effective solution to treating acute HIV infection.
A growing population of older adults with HIV is being overlooked due to implicit ageism, which contributes to poor mental and physical health outcomes. The combination of stigma, social isolation, and negative expectations about aging can lead to depression, loneliness, and chronic disease.
Researchers at UNC Health Care have developed an assay to detect antigen production and immune effectors capable of clearing infected cells. Vorinostat reverses latent HIV infection, making it vulnerable to clearance and potentially paving the way for a cure for the millions living with the virus.