Articles tagged with Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Despite progress, US HIV infections declined by 11% and transmission rates fell by 17% between 2010 and 2015. However, the country failed to meet President Obama's 25% reduction in new infections and 30% decrease in transmission rate targets.
The US saw an 11% decrease in new HIV infections and a 17% drop in transmission rates from 2010 to 2015. However, the country fell short of its goal to reduce these numbers by 25% and 30%, respectively.
A UCLA study found a significant decline in funding for the US government's HIV/AIDS initiative, PEPFAR, from $448.6 million in 2013 to $302.8 million in 2014. This drop is concerning as many countries rely on PEPFAR for vital health care services.
Scientists have identified hundreds of infected cells at different points of initial entry and developed a technology that lights up the location of first cells to be infected. This discovery will enable researchers to develop more effective vaccines against HIV by targeting the primary target of transmission, Th17 cell.
Researchers have found that single antibody infusions can protect monkeys against infection with an HIV-like virus for up to 23 weeks. The study used broadly neutralizing antibodies targeting a wide range of HIV strains and showed varying levels of protection depending on the antibody's potency and half-life.
Researchers aim to determine if enhancing cognitive functioning through speed of processing training can improve quality of life in middle-aged and older adults with HIV. The study will compare the effects of varying amounts of specialized speed of processing training on cognitive ability and everyday functioning skills.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that women in sub-Saharan Africa who use modern contraceptives are more likely to undergo HIV testing than those who do not. The research highlights a missed opportunity to provide education and HIV testing concurrently with condom and pill provision.
A recent study by UMass Amherst researchers found that zinc deficiency is associated with chronic inflammation in HIV-positive individuals. Higher serum zinc concentrations were linked to lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a biomarker of inflammation.
A 71-year-old HIV-positive man was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease through a PET scan showing amyloid deposition in the brain. This finding suggests that some older HIV-positive patients may be misdiagnosed with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders and highlights the need for accurate diagnosis to guide treatment.
Studies presented at The International Liver Congress 2016 show differing perspectives on direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment efficacy in patients co-infected with HIV and HCV. While one study found lower SVR12 rates in co-infected patients, another study showed no statistically significant impact of HIV co-infection on DAAs.
The researchers created a portable, paper-based electrochemical 'immunosensing' platform for rapid diagnosis of HIV and HCV co-infections. The device can detect HIV and HCV antibodies at lower concentrations than existing tests, with high accuracy and sensitivity.
A study found that co-administered vaccines against HCV and HIV did not impair the magnitude or breadth of either specific T-cell responses. This approach, known as prime-boost, showed potent T-cell responses in healthy volunteers.
Funding for maternal and child health has grown faster than HIV, TB, and malaria since 2010. Despite this growth, global health spending remains stagnant, with total development assistance for health increasing only slightly between 2010 and 2015.
Researchers identified six areas for improvement: HIV prevention, common entry points, information availability, funding sources, competiveness, and building trust. Collaboration among agencies was found to be crucial for effective service delivery.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have isolated antibodies with a loop-like structure that binds tightly to HIV and disables it. The study suggests a new approach to rapidly induce broadly neutralizing antibodies in people who have not been exposed to HIV.
Researchers at TSRI have identified the first-ever immature HIV-neutralizing antibody, revealing a possible guide for developing an effective vaccine. The antibody, found in a Chinese patient, evolved rapidly and gained key traits within two years, contradicting previous theories.
Researchers apply global sensitivity analysis to pinpoint key HIV model parameters affecting treatment plans. By fixing non-influential inputs and minimizing parameter dimensions, they better understand HIV dynamics and develop optimal treatment strategies.
A recent study identifies multiple sexual behaviors associated with prevalent sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Men who engaged in anal stimulation or enema use were nearly five times as likely to test positive for HIV as those who did not.
Researchers at the University of Missouri School of Medicine have identified an enzyme that may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease caused by HIV medications. The enzyme, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), offers protection against endothelial cell dysfunction when used in conjunction with protease inhibitors.
Researchers in South Africa are conducting a medical trial focused on controlling tuberculosis (TB) epidemics. The trial uses a novel approach that combines intensified household tracing and screening for TB and HIV using rapid molecular technologies.
Researchers at Osel have engineered Lactobacillus jensenii to stably express broadly neutralizing antibody fragments against the HIV-1 virus, offering a cost-effective and long-lasting new barrier to HIV-1 transmission. The engineered bacteria reduced vaginal HIV transmission in a primate animal model by over 63%.
The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation has been awarded the Saving Lives at Birth: A Grand Challenge for Development Award to scale up use of the Pratt Pouch in Uganda. The model aims to reach 40,000 infants in three years with the goal of significantly reducing HIV transmission rates.
Researchers have discovered an HIV-fighting immunogen called eOD-GT8 that shows extraordinary binding affinity for naïve human B cells, outperforming previous candidates by a factor of 2100. Approximately 96% of humans harbor B cells sensitive to this immunogen, suggesting its potential as a viable HIV vaccine strategy.
According to a new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Botswana has achieved remarkable progress in reducing the number of people who are infectious with HIV through strong treatment programs. The country has reported 96% viral suppression rates among patients on antiretroviral therapy, surpassing Western nations and ...
Scientists administered anti-HIV-1 human neutralizing monoclonal antibodies to infant rhesus macaques exposed to SHIV and found that the treatment completely cleared the virus within 14 days. This study shows that early administration of powerful antibodies can effectively clear a nonhuman primate virus similar to HIV.
A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that nearly 41% of young transgender women had one or more mental health or substance use disorders. The study also revealed a significant increase in depression, anxiety, and substance abuse among Latina young transgender women.
A large clinical trial found that treating HIV patients at risk for tuberculosis with TB drugs does not save more lives. Simple TB screening and isoniazid preventive therapy were well-tolerated and resulted in similar survival rates compared to a four-drug TB treatment.
A survey of nearly 3,000 Ugandan students reveals that one in three had been in love with a person of the same sex and 6-8% of men engaged in homosexual relations. The study found associations between homosexual experiences and poor mental health, sexual coercion, and drug use.
A randomized clinical trial found that using four drugs for TB does not improve survival rates over isoniazid therapy in advanced HIV/AIDS patients. The study validates the World Health Organization guidelines for prescribing isoniazid to vulnerable patients.
A recent NIH study found that antibodies derived from unconventional B cells in HIV-infected individuals with uncontrolled virus levels are less effective at neutralizing HIV. The study suggests that the abnormal distribution of B cell types contributes to the lack of effective immune response.
The article discusses the nephrotoxic effects of newer antiviral therapies, such as HAART and DAAs, in HIV and HCV patients. Organic transporters play a crucial role in explaining potential renal toxicities, and a review highlights the substrates, inhibitors, and distribution of these transporters.
A new study published in The Lancet suggests that a low-cost, urine test to diagnose tuberculosis among patients with HIV could save thousands of lives per year in sub-Saharan Africa. The test, which provides results in 25 minutes and costs $2.66, showed an absolute reduction of 4% in TB death rate among patients with HIV.
Researchers found that a family-focused package of services can significantly reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV in resource-limited areas. The study showed a 74% reduction in infant infections in the intervention group compared to the control group.
A study found that HIV patients in Africa with a certain genetic variant have a 63-percent lower chance of developing tuberculosis than those without the variant. This discovery may lead to the development of new TB treatments effective for both HIV-positive individuals and the general population.
A global study reveals 2.3 million people co-infected with HIV and hepatitis C, with a significant burden in Eastern Europe and central Asia. The study highlights the need for improved integrated HIV/HCV services and increased screening and treatment to reduce morbidity and new infections.
A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health finds that HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment will cost $261 billion if coverage is scaled up, exceeding domestic financing capabilities. The researchers emphasize the need for innovative funding sources to sustain control efforts.
Researchers have gained a clearer understanding of how HIV defeats a cellular defender by interacting with cyclophilin A. The study reveals that the virus uses cyclophilin A as a disguise to trick the cellular protein, allowing it to enter the nucleus and commandeer the cell.
A University of Cincinnati researcher is studying nearly 3,000 patients to see if a genetic variant that protects against HIV also prevents injury from Hepatitis C. The study aims to understand how inhibition of the CCR5 receptor may influence liver injury and disease progression in individuals co-infected with HIV and hepatitis C.
The study reveals the high-resolution structure of the HIV envelope protein, known as the Env trimer, in its natural form for the first time. The findings also include a detailed map of a vulnerable site at the base of this protein and the binding site of an antibody that can neutralize HIV.
A Harvard-Dartmouth study found that Zipf distributions of risk for diseases, such as HIV and heart attacks, lead pharmaceutical companies to invest more in treatments than preventives. This is because vaccine revenue depends on finer details about population risk, making it challenging to find a 'sweet spot' for pricing.
A study found that over 60% of newly diagnosed men in Rhode Island who have sex with men reported meeting sexual partners online. The researchers propose partnering with companies producing hookup websites and apps to share public health messages about the risks of sexual encounters arranged online.
Scientists have developed a new method to analyze the genetic tree of diseases like HIV to identify possible gaps in transmission chains. The study uses computational phylogenetic analysis to examine how strains of HIV are transmitted and can now evaluate the possibility of unsampled intermediaries or common sources.
A new study by San Diego State University found that Charlie Sheen's HIV-positive disclosure corresponded with record highs of domestic news coverage and Google searches for information about HIV and prevention. The study suggests that celebrity disclosures like Sheen's may help generate renewed national attention for HIV and HIV preve...
A Johns Hopkins study found record highs in domestic news coverage of HIV and Google searches for information about HIV and HIV prevention following Charlie Sheen's HIV-positive disclosure on NBC's TODAY Show. The study suggests that the public's response to Sheen's announcement led to an increase in people seeking out public health sa...
The dapivirine ring reduced the risk of HIV infection by 27 percent overall among more than 2,600 women in Africa. Women aged 25 and older saw a significant reduction in HIV risk, with some experiencing a cut in risk of over half.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine have discovered a crucial HIV RNA modification called m6A that influences viral replication. Silencing the enzyme adding or removing m6A from RNA can increase or decrease HIV replication, offering new avenues for developing effective anti-HIV therapies.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that Charlie Sheen's public disclosure of his HIV status led to a significant increase in Google searches related to the disease. The study suggests that this surge in interest may have benefited public health by raising awareness and driving people to learn more about HIV prevention.
Two large studies confirm the monthly vaginal ring's effectiveness in preventing HIV-1 infection in women, with a 30% overall reduction in infections. The ring's efficacy varies by age and consistent use, highlighting the need to overcome barriers to prevention for younger women.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have made a breakthrough in understanding how retrovirus RSV brings together protein molecules to form tiny molecular claws, which can help develop anti-retrovirals to target integrase functions and improve HIV/AIDS therapies.
A special issue of the journal AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses highlights recent advances in HIV cure research, including studies on viral suppression and control of virus replication. Researchers discuss potential avenues for achieving a cure and propose exploring multiple approaches to therapy.
Researchers have determined the structure of a protein complex that lets viruses like HIV establish permanent infections in human cells. The new findings reveal a novel paradigm for retroviral DNA integration and provide insights into how viruses interact with host DNA.
A recent NYU study examined injection risk behaviors among heroin injectors in Colombian cities, finding 2.7% of participants tested positive for HIV and common practices like syringe sharing and clean needle exchange were prevalent. The study emphasizes the need for harm reduction interventions to prevent an HIV epidemic in Colombia.
A study published in Immunity found that innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are destroyed in patients with acute HIV infection, highlighting the importance of early treatment. Research suggests that early intervention can protect ILCs from destruction and prevent immune system imbalances.
A study by University of Minnesota researchers identified the mechanism of 5-azacytidine, a DNA-based drug that blocks HIV's ability to spread. The drug converts to a DNA form and infiltrates HIV when it turns RNA into DNA, stopping replication.
Dan R. Littman receives the $100,000 Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science for his fundamental insights into the immune system and its role in HIV pathogenesis. Young researchers Fernando Camargo, Roberta Capp, and Houra Merrikh win $50,000 Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise for their innovative work on blood cell development.
Researchers found that HIV protein Tat alters networked neuron activity and leads to adaptations that improve survival but impair function. The study suggests that targeting these adaptations could facilitate therapeutic intervention for seizure disorders and other neurological symptoms in HIV-infected patients.
A large study found tenofovir-resistant strains in 60% of HIV patients in sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting a significant concern for global HIV control strategies. The study suggests that up to 15% of HIV patients will develop resistance in the first year of treatment alone.
A new study funded by NIH suggests that ongoing HIV replication in lymphoid tissues maintains stores of the virus, a prerequisite for achieving a cure. Current ART regimens cannot eliminate persistent viral reservoirs, but sequencing data shows continued evolution over time without accumulating drug-resistant mutations.
Researchers found that HIV persists in lymphoid tissue despite potent antiretroviral therapy, and that low-level replication maintains viral reservoirs. The study provides a new perspective on how to deliver drugs to effectively eradicate the virus.
Researchers deciphered how HIV's Tat protein interacts with host genes to activate or repress several hundred human genes. Blocking Tat activity may be therapeutic value for HIV patients, suggesting a promising approach to combat the deadly virus.