Articles tagged with Human Immunodeficiency Virus
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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 new HIV antibody, 10-1074, has been successfully tested on humans, demonstrating high antiviral activity and favourable pharmacokinetic properties. The trial also investigated the development of resistant HIV variants, providing valuable insights into the potential treatment approach.
A study found that women with diverse vaginal bacterial communities were four times more likely to acquire HIV than those with Lactobacillus-dominant microbiomes. The researchers identified specific high-risk bacteria associated with increased HIV acquisition risk and a direct link between these bacteria and HIV susceptibility.
Researchers found that women with pro-inflammatory bacterial species were at a 4-fold higher risk of acquiring HIV than those with healthy vaginal bacteria. The study suggests specific genital bacteria can increase HIV risk by making it easier for the virus to find a foothold.
A new study from UCLA suggests modifying federal health guidelines to use a risk calculator that takes into account more factors, potentially increasing effectiveness of PrEP in preventing HIV transmission. The calculator uses real-world data and is expected to be useful for gay and bisexual men who have sex with men.
Researchers have solved the atomic structure of HIV's intasome, a key piece of machinery that integrates virus into human DNA. The discovery provides structural clues informing the development of new HIV drugs and sheds light on mechanisms of viral resistance.
A new Northwestern University study reveals that HIV patients have a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes, even when the virus is undetectable in their blood. The risk is estimated to be about 50% higher than predicted by current calculators.
The HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) has launched a new study, HPTN 083, to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of injectable cabotegravir for PrEP in men who have sex with men and transgender women. The study aims to provide an alternative to daily oral tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) for HIV prevention.
Researchers found that peer-referral strategies outperformed traditional methods in detecting undiagnosed HIV among high-risk heterosexuals. The study suggests a new approach for identifying and treating undiagnosed HIV cases in the US, with potential to reduce transmission rates.
ABX464 upregulates IL-22 and miR-124, showing strong anti-inflammatory effects in preclinical models. The compound also prevents intestinal inflammation and protects against colitis, with therapeutic effects lasting at least 6 weeks.
A new study on simian immunodeficiency virus in macaques suggests that a proposed curative strategy could cause harmful brain inflammation if the virus is present in the brain. The 'shock and kill' treatment approach, which aims to wipe out infected cells, may have unintended consequences.
In Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Zambia, new HIV infections are falling, the percent of the population infected is stabilizing, and over half of those living with HIV are virally suppressed. The data show that once diagnosed, individuals are accessing treatment, staying on treatment, and achieving viral suppression.
A cross-sectional study found that HIV-positive patients with chronic pain did not experience significant functional interference, maintaining high activity levels. This contradicts previous assumptions and highlights the complex relationship between HIV-related pain and physical activity.
Researchers from University of Liverpool are leading a multinational consortium to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV in developing countries. The DolPHIN-2 project uses a new drug Dolutegravir to rapidly reduce HIV levels, potentially preventing infant transmission and saving lives.
A new report by ECDC and WHO Europe reveals that approximately 122,000 people in the EU/EEA are infected with HIV but remain undiagnosed. Easy access to testing is crucial for individuals living with HIV to benefit from life-saving treatment.
Researchers at Centre for Genomic Regulation develop new technology to detect latent HIV, shedding light on expression landscape of the virus in human genome. The technology shows that different HIV reactivation drugs target different locations within chromosome, leading to more selective treatment.
A new approach to an HIV vaccine has been developed by combining a common cold virus with a DNA-based vaccine, resulting in specific immune responses in mice. The vaccine targets the Tat protein that helps the virus replicate, preventing infection and replication.
Researchers aim to design an outreach program promoting awareness and prevention options among at-risk women. The study will focus on Philadelphia and New York metropolitan areas, surveying women's thoughts and obstacles surrounding PrEP usage.
A new model examines how drug policy and criminal justice practices contribute to racial disparities in HIV rates. The tool highlights the disproportionate impact of drug-related arrests and sentencing on African American communities, affecting social marginalization, health care access, and intimate relationships.
Scientists from the National Institutes of Health identified an antibody, named N6, that potently neutralized 98 percent of HIV isolates tested. The researchers also tracked the evolution of N6 to understand how it developed its ability to neutralize nearly all HIV strains, which will inform vaccine design.
A Drexel University study shows that accounting for stigmatizing behaviors and substance use reduces the racial disparity in HIV risk between black and white men. Key findings reveal higher rates of HIV prevalence among black non-MSM and white MSM engaging in risky behavior, particularly amphetamine use.
Scientists at Imperial College London have created a compact HIV test on a USB stick that can detect the virus in under 30 minutes. The device monitors viral levels to track treatment efficacy and prevent medication resistance.
Immunotherapy has shown modest control of HIV and identified pre-existing drug resistance as an important barrier to antibody-based treatments. The study used broadly neutralizing HIV antibodies, but suppression did not surpass 8 weeks in most participants.
A randomized trial found that providing pregnant and postpartum women with multiple HIV self-tests increased the likelihood of their male partners being tested for HIV. The study showed a significant increase in partner testing, with 90.8% of partners tested within three months of enrollment, compared to 51.7% in the control group.
A five-year study in Tanzania aims to determine whether combining diabetes and hypertension screening with HIV screening will increase HIV testing and care. The integrated approach is expected to improve health outcomes and reduce costs, addressing growing global epidemics of HIV, diabetes, and hypertension.
A new study from Massachusetts General Hospital finds that cigarette smoking significantly reduces the lifespan of people living with HIV in the U.S., potentially even more than HIV itself. Quitting smoking can greatly increase lifespan and is never too late to quit.
A new modeling study published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases suggests that smoking may shorten the lifespan of people living with HIV more than the virus itself. Smoking cessation is crucial to improve life expectancy and overall health among this population, with significant health and economic benefits.
A new monoclonal antibody, ibalizumab, has shown promise in treating patients with multidrug-resistant HIV. Eighty-three percent of patients achieved a virologic response after treatment, making it a potential option for those resistant to all other medications.
Researchers reconstructed the origins of the AIDS pandemic in unprecedented detail by recovering genetic material from 40-year-old serum samples. The study suggests that HIV emerged in New York City around 1970 and spread rapidly across North America, with the city serving as a critical hub for the epidemic.
Researchers developed a novel water dispersible nanotherapy for paediatric HIV patients, removing the need for high ethanol concentrations. The new approach has the potential to overcome challenges with current antiretroviral therapy, including administration of high doses and urgent need for better formulations.
Researchers found HIV in brain, kidney, spleen & other tissues of treated patients with undetectable viral loads, suggesting continued disease progression. The study suggests that strategies to 'cure' HIV infection must consider targeting tissue-based sites of HIV.
Researchers found no differences in HIV drug resistance between women using dapivirine and placebo rings in the ASPIRE trial. The dapivirine ring was safe and helped protect against HIV, with an overall risk reduction of 27%.
A large HIV prevention trial found that women experiencing intimate partner violence were less likely to use a vaginal ring, with improved adherence after disclosure. Counseling and support can help these women adhere to the ring, improving their protection against HIV.
A 15-year international study found that HIV-1 subtype C, the most dominant form of the virus, is also the slowest to progress to AIDS. This counterintuitive finding challenges Darwinian evolutionary theory.
Researchers will examine the intersection of alcohol use and comorbidities in people living with HIV, including tuberculosis, cardiovascular disease, and falls. The five-year grants aim to improve health outcomes for alcohol-using individuals living with HIV.
Researchers at UC Riverside and Riverside University Health System found that late-HIV diagnosed individuals are more likely to transmit the virus to others due to untreated viral loads. This increased risk also leads to negative health outcomes, including premature death and opportunistic infections.