Articles tagged with Human Immunodeficiency Virus
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 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 $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.
Research by Drexel University reveals that pregnant women diagnosed with HIV are twice as likely to suffer domestic violence compared to those without an HIV diagnosis. The study suggests targeted interventions for women at risk of domestic violence, including those already experiencing it.
A study by LSUHealthNO found that 86% of high-risk heterosexuals in New Orleans would use a home-based test kit, leading to increased HIV testing and treatment rates. The study suggests that this self-administered alternative may reach individuals who are under-recognized as at risk, promoting timely treatment.
A study led by Queen Mary University of London found that offering HIV testing at health checks in high-prevalence areas is cost-effective. The researchers estimate that the annual cost of rolling out screening programs to all high-HIV prevalence local authorities in England would be approximately £600,000.
A South African child diagnosed with HIV at 32 days old has maintained undetectable viral levels and good health despite ART cessation at age 9.5 years, suggesting early treatment may be key to long-term remission.
A randomized trial found that same-day ART initiation improved retention (80% vs. 72%) and evidence of ART working (53% vs. 44%), with further improvements needed to hit UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets. The study supports accelerating HIV testing and treatment processes.
A study conducted in the US has found that adolescent girls can safely use a dapivirine vaginal ring to prevent HIV. The ring, which contains an antiretroviral drug, was shown to be highly acceptable and easy to use, with high adherence rates among participants.
A study administered VRC01 antibody infusions to virally suppressed volunteers who initiated ART during acute HIV infection, showing a delay in viral load rebound. The results provide valuable lessons for future studies on early-treated individuals with combination broadly neutralizing antibodies.
A two-year clinic-based HIV testing program in Zimbabwe failed to identify many cases of HIV in children. The study found that 37.7% of HIV-positive children were undiagnosed, highlighting the need for alternative testing methods to reach these vulnerable populations.
The second Swaziland HIV Incidence Measurement Survey (SHIMS2) reveals significant progress in combating the HIV epidemic, with a doubling of population viral load suppression since 2011. The survey found nearly half fewer new HIV infections among adults aged 18-49 years compared to 2011.
Researchers at UNC are testing a therapeutic vaccine to target HIV reservoirs and boost the immune system's response. The goal is to potentially pair the vaccine with latency-reversing agents to clear the virus.
A nine-year-old South African child has suppressed HIV virus without anti-HIV drugs for eight and a half years, according to the NIH-funded study. The child received early limited anti-HIV treatment in infancy and was found to have maintained undetectable levels of HIV despite not receiving ongoing therapy.
A phase 2 trial found that an injectable antiretroviral therapy was as effective in maintaining viral suppression in patients with HIV as a daily oral dose over 96 weeks. The long-acting injections had similar efficacy to the daily oral medication in preventing treatment failure and drug-resistant mutations.
An investigational HIV vaccine regimen was well-tolerated and generated immune responses against HIV in healthy adults, according to the APPROACH trial. The results support further development of candidate vaccines and plans for a larger trial in southern Africa to evaluate safety and efficacy.
A new study found that over half of HIV-positive transgender women are concerned about combining antiretroviral therapy with feminizing hormone therapy due to unknown drug interactions. This concern affects their adherence to medication and treatment, highlighting the need for better health care optimization.
Researchers found that active users are more likely to be denialists, with a core group promoting denialist views and recruiting support through interactions. The study identified a high-risk group of over 1,000 users, including those who interact with the core and are influenced by their views.
Researchers have successfully elicited broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) to HIV in calves by immunization, a breakthrough that may inform HIV vaccine and therapeutics design. The unique structure of bovine bNAbs, particularly the long HCDR3 loops, shows promise for promoting human immune system development.
Researchers have developed an animal model using cows to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV, which are difficult to achieve in humans. This breakthrough has the potential to accelerate the development of a more effective AIDS vaccine.
HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) affect approximately one in four people living with HIV, causing symptoms such as memory loss and cognitive decline. Researchers have found elevated levels of microRNAs affecting brain development, providing a potential biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring disease progression.
A massive simulation of the HIV capsid has revealed new details about how it interacts with its environment, including oscillations that transmit information between different parts. The study also found that ions flow in and out of the capsid pores, potentially creating vulnerabilities for new drug development.
The International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM) has received a four-year, £12 million UK government award to develop and commercialize new HIV prevention products for women. IPM's dapivirine vaginal ring, approved in two large clinical trials, will receive regulatory support.
Researchers at UNC have shown that interval dosing of Vorinostat can reverse latent HIV and improve detection, paving the way for further research into clearing infection. The study's findings suggest that pairing a latency reversing agent with an antiviral immune therapy may be necessary to achieve a cure.
A streamlined method of tracking medical records reduced racial disparities in HIV care, with blacks and Latinos showing significant improvements in viral suppression rates. The study found that integrated medical records improved use of anti-retroviral therapy and reduced gaps between whites and minorities in HIV health outcomes.
A clinical trial found that financial incentives increased viral suppression among HIV-positive patients, but not linkage to care. The study offered gift cards as incentives and found a 3.8% higher proportion of virally suppressed patients at financial incentive sites compared to standard care sites.
The HPTN 065 study found that financial incentives can motivate some people living with HIV to take their medication regularly and maintain viral load suppression. This increase in viral suppression was observed at care sites offering financial incentives, with an overall increase of 5% at the peak of the intervention.
A recent study by Columbia University found that financial incentives significantly increased viral suppression and clinic attendance among HIV-positive patients. The study showed a four-percent higher percentage of patients with suppressed virus at sites offering gift cards compared to those without.
A study by H. Fisher Raymond found that MSM with known HIV infection who know their viral status tend to reduce sexual risk behaviors. The results suggest a link between undetectable viral load and safer sex practices, but more research is needed to confirm this association.
A plant compound, patentiflorin A, has been discovered to be more effective against HIV than the widely used drug AZT. The compound inhibits an enzyme needed for HIV to replicate, making it a promising candidate for development into a new HIV treatment.
The NIH-funded Einstein-Rockefeller-CUNY Center for AIDS Research aims to prevent HIV transmission and develop a cure. The center will focus on behavioral science, clinical translation, biomarker discovery, and HIV vaccine development to improve population health outcomes.
Implementation of community-based testing and treatment programs was associated with increased HIV diagnosis, ART initiation, and viral suppression among HIV-positive adults. After two years, 80% of residents achieved viral suppression, and 96% had been previously diagnosed.
A recent study found that specific types of vaginal bacteria, such as Gardnerella vaginalis, can rapidly break down the active form of an HIV prevention medication, tenofovir. This degradation renders the drug less effective in preventing HIV acquisition among women.
Researchers at the University of York have found that tobacco use is more common among HIV positive individuals and can lead to a loss of up to 12 years of life. The study highlights the need for tailored interventions to tackle tobacco use among this population.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers found that immune cells latently infected with HIV can proliferate and replenish the virus reservoir, which is resistant to antiretroviral drug therapy. The proliferation of these reservoir cells poses a significant challenge to developing a cure for HIV.
Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a test sensitive enough to detect 'hidden' HIV, which reveals that people who appear cured may still carry a larger virus reservoir than previously estimated. The test, called TZA, is faster, less labor-intensive and less expensive than existing tests.
Researchers at EMBL and ESPCI Paris have developed a new technique to rapidly sort HIV viruses, which could significantly speed up vaccine development. The system enables the analysis and sorting of hundreds of HIV viruses per second, allowing for rapid testing of millions of viral variants.
A study by Stanford Medicine researchers identifies cost-effective ways to combat HIV risk among intravenous drug users, with opioid agonist therapy and needle-syringe exchange programs showing high value. The study also found that combining these methods could avert up to 40,000 HIV infections over 20 years.
A new study published in Prevention Science found that Charlie Sheen's HIV-positive disclosure on November 17, 2015, corresponded with record levels of HIV testing, including a near-doubling in at-home rapid test sales. The study also suggests that public health leaders should consider embracing big media data for decision-making.
A special issue of the Journal of Infectious Diseases focuses on HIV eradication, exploring scientific thinking behind cure strategies. Researchers from UNC and other institutions discuss challenges and priorities in key areas of HIV cure research.
New research from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health reveals that the US could see a significant decline in HIV infections and prevalence if critical milestones are met. By 2025, annual new infections could drop to 12,000, marking a turning point for the epidemic.
A new study models HIV incidence, prevalence, and mortality to determine feasible targets for ending the US AIDS epidemic. Achieving a reduction of 12,000 new infections by 2025 could mark an important turning point in the epidemic, with significant declines in HIV transmission rates and related deaths.
A systematic review finds that criminalizing drug use has negative health effects, including increased HIV transmission and overdose rates. The study suggests that alternative strategies and policies are needed to address the harms associated with drug use.
The life expectancy of treated individuals with HIV in the EU and North America has increased by around a decade since the introduction of antiretroviral therapy. Projections suggest that life expectancy may approach that of the general population for those starting treatment from 2008 onwards.
The Microbicide Trials Network (MTN) starts a Phase I study to test a vaginal ring containing dapivirine and levonorgestrel, aiming to provide protection against HIV and unintended pregnancy. The trial aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the dual-purpose ring.