Articles tagged with Human Immunodeficiency Virus
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.
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 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.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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 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.
Only four in 10 gay and bisexual men in Baltimore are aware of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a medication that reduces HIV incidence by 92 percent. Despite its effectiveness, PrEP is underused due to lack of education among healthcare providers and patients.
A new study reveals that some HIV-infected children control the virus by activating low levels of immune activation and producing potent antibodies. This differs from adults who develop AIDS despite effective antiretroviral therapy.
New research highlights age-specific approaches for caring for older adults with HIV, addressing late diagnoses, differing side effects, and comorbidities. The study offers tools like the VACS Index to guide personalized care.
Scientists describe a multi-step method to produce broadly neutralizing antibodies in genetically engineered mice, which can recognize multiple HIV mutations. This approach offers a starting point for developing an HIV vaccine that could prevent infection or cure the systemic illness.
Researchers describe a potential vaccination strategy to jump-start the selection and evolution of broadly effective antibodies against HIV. They plan to test this approach in an upcoming human clinical trial, promising progress toward a human vaccine.
Researchers developed a technology to generate mouse models quickly testing and tweaking potential HIV vaccines. The goal is to create broadly neutralizing antibodies able to fight any mutant HIV strain, which would be the 'holy grail' of AIDS vaccines.
Researchers have successfully developed new approaches to induce HIV-blocking antibodies in mice with human-like immune systems. The studies showed that a prime shot combined with booster shots of immunogens can activate precursor cells to produce neutralizing antibodies, paving the way for future clinical studies.
A new study shows early infant circumcision can be safely performed by trained nurses with low rates of adverse events. The procedure resulted in high maternal satisfaction and healed wounds within four weeks.
A single HIV mutation was found to induce two different outcomes in T cell adaptation, revealing a complex co-evolution between the virus and human immune cells. This finding has significant implications for the development of T cell-mediated AIDS vaccines.
Researchers discovered that some monkeys with depleted immune systems still had a second line of defense against tuberculosis, targeting CD8 and B cells. This finding could lead to more effective vaccines for TB, which affects people co-infected with HIV.
Scientists developed a reductionist approach to HIV vaccine design by engineering broadly neutralizing antibodies with minimized rare features. The resulting antibodies retained their specificity for HIV while exhibiting excellent neutralization breadth, offering promising leads for HIV vaccine development.
A recent study published in JAMA Cardiology found that HIV-infected adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) were more likely to experience a heart attack than those without MDD. The study, which included over 26,000 HIV-infected veterans, revealed a 30% increased risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in those with MDD.
A study found that providing antiretroviral treatment (ART) to both members of a couple and offering pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to the HIV-negative partner significantly reduced HIV transmission rates, with a 96% decrease in transmission compared to expected rates.
Researchers at University of Colorado Anschutz developed a technique to estimate patient adherence to antiretroviral drugs. The test measures traces of PrEP medicine in dried blood samples, providing an objective way to determine consistent use.
Researchers found that nearly a third of HIV's immune target sites were 'pre-adapted' to the newly-infected partner, suggesting vaccine designers focus on conserved viral proteins. The study builds upon previous research using computer models and emphasizes the importance of finding this balance in vaccine development.
A recent study found that a UB-developed smartphone app can improve antiretroviral therapy adherence among people living with HIV. Participants reported high compliance with daily report completion, citing the app's ease of use and text reminders as key factors.
The University of Kansas is partnering with the Peace Corps to provide custom, web-based resources to staff and volunteers in Africa. The Community Tool Box will support volunteers with research-based knowledge from disciplines such as community development and urban planning, making best practices easy to implement in the field.
Despite limited safety data, investigators face significant challenges to conducting HIV research in pregnant women, including complex ethical and legal concerns. To address these gaps, Dr. Anne Lyerly is leading the PHASES Project to develop guidance for ethically advancing HIV research in pregnant women.
A researcher at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso is on a mission to identify genes that enable HIV latentness. He plans to conduct genome-wide knockout screening to find specific genes that allow the virus to persist.
Scientists have discovered a key component of the HIV virus that it uses to infect cells while avoiding detection by the immune system. They identified iris-like pores in the capsid shell that suck in nucleotides needed for replication, explaining why HIV is successful at evading the immune system.
A study published in eLife found no significant difference in the rate of mutations leading to drug resistance between HIV-positive and negative TB patients. HIV co-infection accelerates the development of active TB but does not increase the evolution of multidrug-resistant strains.
A Binghamton University study explores how societal expectations of masculinity impact experiences of living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. Participants who met traditional notions of masculinity reported less stigma, while those who did not fared worse.
A team of researchers has developed a hybrid method to study the critical HIV protein Nef, which compromises the immune system. By combining two biophysical techniques, they gained insights into how Nef changes structure to interact with host proteins and evade the immune system.
The study highlights the importance of managing pericardial effusions, myocardial disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and other cardiac complications in HIV-infected patients. Clinicians must be aware of these manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment options to improve patient outcomes.
A Tanzanian study has found that people infected with the parasitic worm W bancrofti in areas where HIV is endemic are more likely to acquire HIV. The study, published in The Lancet, suggests that controlling lymphatic filariasis could prevent incident HIV infections among the 120 million people living with this chronic infection.