Articles tagged with Human Immunodeficiency Virus
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.
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.
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.
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.
Early findings from PopART, a clinical trial evaluating universal HIV testing and treatment, show increases in HIV awareness and ART coverage. However, challenges persist in reaching men and younger adults with HIV, highlighting the need for optimized resource allocation to accelerate progress against the global HIV epidemic.
The study discovered genetically coupled promoters in viral-host networks, presenting an additional layer of regulation between virus and host. The findings reveal a mechanism for synchronizing gene expression in synthetic gene circuitry and provide novel design principles to reverse-engineer viral circuitry.
Providers who prescribe PrEP believe their role is to support informed sexual health decisions, and the protective benefit of PrEP outweighs any potential increase in risky behavior. More than 1.2 million Americans are eligible for PrEP, but less than 100,000 have been prescribed it.
A study found that pretreatment HIV levels and immune activation are linked to persistent inflammation during treatment, contradicting previous results. The research suggests that diagnosing HIV early may prevent elevated immune activation, leading to health problems like heart disease.
A new behavioral intervention program called HOLA en Grupos has been shown to increase condom use and HIV testing among Latino MSM, reducing the risk of infection. The program achieved a 100% retention rate and significant increases in knowledge and skills, providing a promising solution for addressing this growing public health concern.
Research finds elevated immune activation during treatment is not driven by low HIV levels in the blood. Pre-treatment immune events may contribute to continued activation despite antiretroviral success.
Research found that defective HIV proviruses can produce viral proteins, reducing the effective immune response and interfering with HIV cure. This discovery highlights a previously unknown obstacle in HIV treatment and may lead to new courses of therapy.
Researchers found that defective forms of HIV create proteins recognized by cytotoxic T cells, which can distract the immune system from functional viruses. This discovery could help develop a vaccine to boost immunity against HIV.
A new Northwestern University study finds that teaching positive emotion skills to men with HIV reduces their viral load and improves mental health. The intervention, which consisted of eight weekly sessions, also led to increased happiness and a stronger immune system.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine have found that HIV persists in macrophage cells, a type of white blood cell, which has significant implications for HIV cure research. This discovery demonstrates that two types of cells may be targets for therapeutic intervention to eradicate the virus.
Researchers at TSRI have found a way to tether HIV-fighting antibodies to immune cells, creating a cell population resistant to the virus. This technique could potentially cure HIV by quickly replacing diseased cells.
Case Western Reserve University researchers aim to combat chronic inflammation by targeting oral complications in HIV patients, which can lead to malnourishment and further weaken the immune system. The team will investigate regulatory T-cells and study tissues from HIV-positive patients taking common antiretroviral drugs.
Researchers used financial math models to accurately predict changes in HIV surface proteins over 30 years. By analyzing structural properties and 'volatility,' they can design vaccines that match the virus's evolving targets.
A new study projects that a culturally adapted cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program promoting alcohol abstinence among HIV-infected residents in Kenya could save $628,000 over five years. The program uses trained paraprofessionals with limited training to deliver the intervention, which boosts alcohol abstinence rates to 69 percent.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers engineer an on/off switch into a weakened form of HIV to enhance vaccine safety and effectiveness. The team demonstrates that flipping the switch allows weakened HIV to replicate at a level likely to generate immunity in a host, while also allowing for controlled replication.
A new study has found that U.S. youth infected with HIV around the time of their birth are at higher risk for experiencing serious health problems, poor control of the HIV virus, or death as they age. The study highlights the need to strengthen services for these patients, taking into account their developmentally specific needs.
Researchers found that HIV co-infections drive natural selection in M. tuberculosis, favoring epitope conservation and influencing its evolution. This discovery has implications for vaccine design to combat the co-epidemic in high-HIV TB settings.
The study estimates that there were 69 perinatal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections among infants born in the US in 2013. Maternal and infant factors associated with infant HIV infection include late maternal diagnosis and lack of antiretroviral treatment and prophylaxis.
Researchers found HTLV-1/HIV co-infected patients had higher CD4+ T-cell counts after treatment, which didn't predict response to therapy. Viral load testing was shown to be more effective in monitoring ART response, contrary to current CD4+ T-cell count use.
A Duke Health-led research team has developed a synthetic HIV outer envelope mimic that induces broadly neutralizing antibodies with vaccination. The study supports the concept of designing vaccine candidates that mimic critical regions of HIV.
A new study reveals that 15% of patients with suppressed HIV infection still have active HIV in the brain. MRI scans identify high-risk individuals for further testing and potential treatment regime changes.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa are at high risk of developing hypertension, which can lead to cardiovascular disease. The study suggests integrating routine hypertension screening into HIV clinics and expanding access to antihypertensive medications.
The NIDA grant will support two studies examining the mechanisms linking HIV syndemic factors, including emotion regulation, executive attention, and attentional bias. The findings aim to advance syndemic research and inform the development of interventions to reduce the burden of HIV among gay and bisexual men.
Unemployment significantly impacts female HIV cases among those aged 15-24 in developing nations. Young women turn to transactional sex for security and economic stability.
A University of Liverpool-led trial has successfully used nanotechnology to improve drug therapies for HIV patients, achieving a 50% dose reduction while maintaining therapeutic exposure. The trial's results have the potential to revolutionize HIV treatment, making it safer, more affordable and accessible to resource-limited countries.
Researchers from Monash University and Cardiff University have made a breakthrough understanding how HIV evades the immune system by mutating key molecules, which will help design better therapies and vaccines. The study provides new insights into HIV's ability to evade the immune system.
The PHIA Project's survey results reveal extraordinary progress in confronting the HIV epidemic in Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Zambia. The rate of new infections is stabilizing or declining, with more than half of all adults living with HIV having a suppressed viral load.
A Brown University team proposes a new framework to evaluate the implementation of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in clinical practice, identifying critical elements where patients may drop out of preventive care. The proposed nine-step process aims to improve access to PrEP and patient retention in care.
Scientists at the NIH found that an antibody against alpha-4 beta-7 integrin protected monkeys from SIV, reducing transmission and inducing sustained remission. The protein is crucial to HIV's initial phase of infection, influencing disease development.
A new study combines nanotechnology with gene editing to target HIV brain reservoirs and deliver morphine antagonists to protect neurons from opiate addiction damage. The approach uses Cas9/gRNA system and MENP drug-based delivery system to eliminate latent HIV copies and deliver medications non-invasively.
A new biosensor developed by CSIC can detect HIV-1 p24 antigen up to 100,000 times lower than previous methods, reducing the undetectable phase after infection to just one week. The technology also shows potential for early detection of certain types of cancer.
A new study has identified a window of opportunity for potent HIV-specific CD8+ T cells to kill HIV-producing cells and reduce the seeding of the HIV reservoir. Fully differentiated HIV-specific CD8+ T cells, detected at peak viremia, correlate with decreased viral load and reduced HIV reservoir size.
A small study of nine AIDS patients treated with traditional Chinese herbal medicine for over a decade resulted in undetectable or low viral loads, sparking potential interest in TCM as a functional cure. The findings suggest that these observations warrant further exploration by the HIV research community.
A landmark study confirms that 'super-boosting' approach effectively counters negative interactions between key HIV and TB drugs in children co-infected with both diseases. This advancement will enable healthcare workers to treat children more effectively, ensuring long-term control of the HIV virus and keeping them alive.
Researchers have made significant progress in understanding the causes of accelerated aging in HIV-infected individuals. Studies suggest that statins may be effective in reducing inflammation and improving cardiovascular health. The findings aim to shed light on the negative health consequences of HIV, including premature aging.
Research suggests that both patient genetics and HIV viral genome mutations impact disease progression, with human genetic variation explaining 8.4% of variation in viral load.
A 19-year survey of gay men found a rise in condomless anal sex and multiple partners, linked to complacency over HIV treatment. Condom use dropped significantly among HIV-positive men, increasing risks for STIs and HIV transmission.
Thailand successfully eliminated mother-to-child HIV transmission by implementing the WHO four-pronged strategy, including primary prevention, unintended pregnancy prevention, HIV transmission prevention, and treatment care support
A new study proposes strategies to intensify prevention efforts in communities heavily affected by HIV, highlighting structural factors that contribute to HIV disparities. Researchers found that demographic, physical and social contexts where individuals interact are associated with behavioral and biological HIV risk.
The European Union needs to prioritize prevention programs, improve access to testing, and enhance treatment options for people living with HIV. Currently, two-thirds of EU countries lack sufficient funding for prevention interventions, and one in seven people living with HIV in the region is unaware of their infection.
A recent Indiana University study found that older adults in Africa are sexually active and report high-risk behaviors, highlighting the need for targeted HIV prevention measures. The study reveals that older adults are a significant proportion of people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, where most HIV cases occur.
A new study aims to develop a combination therapy using interleukin-2 and a monoclonal antibody to eradicate HIV. The treatment, if successful, could reduce latent HIV reservoirs and cure the infection.
A new drug developed at the University of Rochester Medical Center extends HIV therapy effectiveness by unleashing a cell's protective machinery on the virus. When combined with nanoformulated antiretroviral drugs, URMC-099 lifts the brakes on autophagy, allowing cells to digest any remaining virus.
A new survey found that 59% of Baltimore's youth-serving organizations do not offer HIV testing, highlighting the need for better integration of community-based services and clinical care. Organizations with HIV testing were more likely to provide general health services and referral services for sexually transmitted infections screening.
A new study found that providing nutritious meals to HIV-positive individuals and those with Type 2 diabetes improved medication adherence, reduced depression, and increased optimal blood sugar control. Participants consumed fewer fats, more fruits and vegetables, and lost weight, while also experiencing fewer symptoms of depression.
A study using antibodies from an elite controller has shown that a combination of three broadly neutralizing antibodies can completely suppress HIV in infected mice. The finding validates the approach of using multiple antibodies to control HIV infection, pointing towards a potential new treatment for people infected with HIV.