Research on HIV epidemiology and control. Covers prevention policy, HIV-substance use links, TB co-treatment, and clearing infection in newborns.
Experts emphasize powerful therapeutics and successful programs like Global Fund and PEPFAR have saved millions of lives. However, funding pauses led to thousands of deaths, and further action is needed to avoid millions more HIV infections and deaths.
A study from the Ragon Institute of Mass General Brigham, MIT and Harvard found that immune cells called CD8+ T cells play a crucial role in controlling HIV. Researchers discovered that having these CD8+ T cell features before treatment was most important for achieving remission.
Experts Gregory Folkers and Anthony Fauci highlight promising therapeutic developments in antiretroviral treatments for HIV/AIDS. The authors emphasize the need for continued research to end the AIDS epidemic, citing recent advances as unfinished business.
A new combination therapy approach enabled seven out of ten participants to keep the virus at low levels for many months after going off antiretroviral therapy. The results suggest a possible cure for HIV and offer a proof of concept that this approach could work.
A study found that hepatitis C treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) improves immune function in individuals co-infected with HIV and HCV, even in those with advanced liver disease. The treatment resulted in significant declines in inflammation and liver damage markers.
Research at Amsterdam UMC found that early HIV treatment improves immune system function in the short term but leads to dysregulation in the long term. After six months of treatment, the immune system functions similarly to that of people without HIV, but this improvement is temporary and does not last beyond three years.
A new study from Texas Biomedical Research Institute found that low-dose THC significantly reduced side effects and inflammation caused by HIV and antiretroviral therapy. The treatment also increased serotonin levels, lowered cholesterol and toxic bile acids, and improved cardiovascular health.
A new study finds that people living with HIV experience higher rates of sleep issues even when virally suppressed, associated with a higher risk for heart disease, depression, and cognitive decline. The study highlights the importance of treating healthy sleep as a fundamental health right, not a luxury.
A new study by Alana Rojewski and Katherine Sterba aims to improve access to tobacco cessation treatments for people living with HIV who smoke. The ENHANCE-TTS program will train pharmacists as tobacco treatment specialists and tailor-design programs for each clinic, taking into consideration the unique needs of the local population.
A new UCLA study reveals that breast milk from women living with HIV contains significantly lower levels of tryptophan, an essential amino acid important for infant immune function and brain development. The study suggests that this depletion may be a common denominator explaining the immune, growth, and cognitive differences seen in c...
Salk Institute researchers have determined the structure of HIV's integrase protein during its newly discovered function, enabling the development of better HIV therapeutics. The study reveals a surprising flexibility in the protein's architecture, which can interact with both DNA and RNA, paving the way for new integrase-targeting drugs.
A team of UCF researchers is creating a single low-cost test to detect multiple viruses simultaneously, which may be used in resource-limited settings. The test has the potential to save lives by providing quicker and more accessible results.
A study published in The Lancet Primary Care found that older adults with HIV are more likely to receive opioids and experience opioid use disorder compared to those without HIV. This disparity highlights the need for tailored strategies to safely prescribe opioids and expand access to treatment.
A new research project, STREAMS, aims to improve mental health and antiretroviral treatment adherence among adolescents living with HIV in rural Uganda. The study will evaluate the effectiveness of a novel intervention combining mobile technology, economic empowerment, and medication support.
A successful HIV vaccine could be a major public health breakthrough, preventing 1.3 million new infections in 2024 and saving lives from the virus. The new childhood vaccine is based on the Env trimer protein complex and aims to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies in young immune systems.
The new guidelines, published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, provide evidence-based guidance for healthcare personnel following occupational exposures to HIV. The recommendations emphasize the importance of prompt evaluation and initiation of postexposure prophylaxis (PEP), while streamlining follow-up protocols.
Even modest reductions in PrEP coverage result in thousands of avoidable HIV infections. The study estimates billions of dollars in increases in net health care costs due to these reductions.
Researchers at UAB have published a study suggesting one dose of benzathine penicillin G is as effective as the three-injection regimen at treating early syphilis. The study found that one dose is sufficient to treat patients, reducing time and inconvenience associated with multiple injections.
A scientific team co-led by Dr. Lishomwa Ndhlovu at Weill Cornell Medicine has received an NIH MERIT Award to study a handful of people who have managed to clear HIV after a stem cell transplant. The goal is to identify the immune mechanisms that led to remission and develop a broadly applicable immunotherapy for eliminating HIV.
A new HIV antiretroviral compound, MK-8527, has demonstrated robust antiviral activity and pharmacokinetics in animal studies. The lead compound is a novel inhibitor of HIV reverse transcriptase translocation with potential for extended-duration dosing.
A big data study using multi-omics data from over 1,300 people with HIV has identified key molecular players causing non-AIDS-related comorbidities. The research reveals a range of previously hidden molecular patterns and players associated with various comorbidities.
Researchers have developed a stable Env protein trimer, SOSIP.664, that can elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV. The breakthrough came after decades of work and multiple modifications to the protein, which is harder to engineer than its counterpart on SARS-CoV-2.
Weill Cornell Medicine leads a $14.9M NIH grant program to remove latent HIV from cells, aiming for effective cures. Researchers will use a personalized approach to develop tailored immunotherapies and broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV.
Researchers found that children unexposed to HIV had higher taxonomic turnover in their oral microbiomes, indicating less adaptability to environmental changes. Children living with HIV had more stable oral microbiomes and higher frequencies of cavity-causing bacteria.
Researchers from Kumamoto University identified a genetic 'silencer' element that keeps the human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) in a dormant state, evading immune detection. This discovery offers hope for new therapeutic approaches to treat HTLV-1 and potentially even HIV.
A new gene therapy strategy has shown multi-year protection from HIV/AIDS infection in newborns via broadly neutralizing antibodies. The treatment, administered once at birth, could prevent HIV-1 transmission during breastfeeding, especially in areas where access to antiretroviral medications is limited.
Researchers developed an AI tool to automatically generate HIV prevention and testing campaign messages for counties in the US, leveraging real-time social media data. The method was tested in three studies, showing that AI-selected messages were perceived as more actionable and effective by target audiences than control messages.
Researchers investigated the link between HIV treatment regimens and osteoarthritis development, revealing that certain medications like lopinavir can exacerbate OA in the knee. The study's findings have important implications for people living with HIV, highlighting the need to carefully consider treatment options.
The study found that HIV testing rates were higher among men, younger individuals, and migrants, while women, older adults, and those living in rural areas were underdiagnosed. The results also reveal significant differences by socioeconomic level and geographical area, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to improve adhere...
Researchers at Tulane University developed a handheld TB test inspired by the bombardier beetle's natural defense mechanism. The ASTRA device requires only a drop of blood and delivers same-day diagnoses without need for laboratory or trained staff, outperforming traditional tests in detection of TB with HIV co-infection.
Researchers at MIT and Scripps Research Institute developed a vaccine that generates many more HIV-targeting B cells in mice with just one dose, using two adjuvants. The dual-adjuvant vaccine produces a wider diversity of antibodies against an HIV antigen, allowing the immune system to build up a stronger response.
A daily dose of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole reduced the proportion of preterm births by 40% in pregnant women with HIV. The antibiotic also increased birth weight by 177 grams, improving health outcomes for babies. Researchers hope to confirm these findings in future trials.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have made a breakthrough in creating an effective HIV vaccine by developing a two-step vaccination strategy that induces powerful broadly neutralizing antibodies. The approach successfully blocked nearly 70% of HIV strains, including those typically hard to target.
The US Department of Health and Human Services Panel has recommended moderate-intensity statin therapy as the primary prevention among adults with HIV aged 40-75 years with low to intermediate 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk. For those with a 10-year ASCVD risk score of 5% or higher, statin therapy is strong...
A new study found that eight times more American young adults now take HIV-prevention medication than a decade ago, but inconsistent use and barriers persist. PrEP can reduce the chances of acquiring HIV by 99%, emphasizing the need for healthcare providers and public health agencies to promote consistent use among high-risk patients.
A new study finds connections between extreme weather events and HIV vulnerabilities, including increased transactional sex, reduced condom agency, and LGBTQ stigma. Researchers studied 21 sex workers and 15 gbMSM in Nairobi, Kenya, revealing interrelated links between climate change-related resource insecurities and HIV risk.
A new study finds that cannabis use disorder diagnoses rose substantially across all age groups, race/ethnicity, and comorbidity subgroups nationwide from 2000 to 2022. People living with HIV experienced the greatest relative increase in CUD diagnoses, particularly among older adults.
Researchers from Amsterdam UMC have made a breakthrough in developing an HIV vaccine with a germline-targeting strategy, inducing immune responses in participants. The phase one trial showed promising results, suggesting the potential for this approach to be further developed into a vaccine.
Two phase 1 clinical trials demonstrate the success of a targeted vaccine strategy in activating early immune responses relevant to HIV and advancing them further. The trials provide evidence for a stepwise approach to elicit custom-tailored responses and validate the rational vaccine design underlying this approach.
Researchers have mapped a 7,000-year-old genetic mutation that provides protection against HIV, found in 18-25% of the Danish population. The mutation arose in an individual from the Black Sea region between 6,700 and 9,000 years ago.
The updated CDC HIV Non-Occupational Post Exposure Prophylaxis (nPEP) Guidelines aim to streamline medical practice and prevent new HIV infections. New guidelines include streamlined assessment factors, preferred nPEP regimens, and faster treatment initiation within 24 hours.
Researchers at Scripps Research used computer modeling to illustrate how antibodies recognize lipids in the HIV virus, highlighting a potential new approach for vaccine design. The study identified two key structural features on the antibodies that enable them to target well-defined membrane features.
A global analysis reveals significant differences in disease rates, diagnosis, treatment, and death between males and females for three common conditions. Males are more likely to get sick and die from hypertension, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS, while also being less likely to seek medical care.
A new study conducted by Medical University of South Carolina shows that long-acting injectable antiretroviral therapy for persons living with HIV can be administered safely and effectively at home. Patient satisfaction scores were high for both groups, and no serious safety issues were observed.
Scientists identified specific immunogenetic characteristics in post-treatment controllers who maintain undetectable viral loads after stopping treatment. These genetic markers are associated with the existence of specific NK cell populations that better control infection, supporting their role in long-term HIV remission.
A mathematical modeling study suggests that sustained HIV remission or eradication could consistently reduce new HIV infections among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Netherlands. However, transient remission with a risk of rebound may increase new infections if not closely monitored.
A new study from Scripps Research finds that a higher ratio of antibodies to viral protein better engages two specific types of immune cells, including phagocytes and natural killer cells. This discovery has implications for the development of experimental HIV vaccines and other drugs.
Wesley Sundquist's lab developed lenacapavir, an exceptionally effective HIV-preventing drug with 99.9 to 100 percent efficacy in clinical trials involving tens of thousands of people. The drug has the potential to dramatically decrease infection rates worldwide if distributed broadly.
A University of Ottawa-led team examines the punishing costs of TB care, finding that patients face 'catastrophic' expenses despite free treatment being available in many countries. The review identifies areas for intervention to reduce patient costs and improve sustainable TB mitigation strategies.
A new point-of-care technology developed by Northwestern University scientists can detect multiple HIV antigens at high sensitivity in a matter of minutes. The technology uses a nanomechanical platform and tiny cantilevers to measure the binding of p24 antigens to surface antibodies, demonstrating high specificity.
A machine learning model developed by a team of researchers from Washington University in St. Louis can accurately predict which adolescents with HIV are at risk of nonadherence to antiretroviral therapy. The model incorporates socio-behavioral and economic factors, including economic stability, education, and family structure.
Researchers identified nine distinct types of T cells that harbor inactive HIV cells, and persistent T cells with HIV even after antiretroviral therapies. This discovery brings medical experts closer to a cure for the infection affecting nearly 40 million people globally.
A new study by NYU researchers found that adults living with HIV in Malawi are more than twice as likely to also have dementia compared to those without HIV. The study sheds light on the significant burden of dementia among people living with HIV in resource-poor settings.
A new study by researchers at UCSF has found that long-acting injectable treatments can be transformative for patients who struggle to take daily HIV pills, resulting in undetectable viral loads and improved health outcomes. The treatment approach could help stop the spread of HIV by keeping more patients from being infectious.
Researchers at Tufts University have developed a paper-based device that accurately measures HIV viral loads from dried blood samples, outperforming industry standards. The device, called the plasma spot card, was tested on 75 South African patients and showed improved accuracy in detecting drug-resistant mutations.
Researchers at The Wistar Institute's HIV Cure and Viral Diseases Center have identified a new approach using natural killer cells to target and kill HIV-positive cells. CD64 expression enhances binding activity for holding onto antigen-specific antibodies, allowing for specific targeting and killing of infected cells.
Researchers developed MUNIS, a deep learning tool that predicts CD8+ T cell epitopes with high accuracy, potentially accelerating vaccine development. The tool was validated using experimental data from influenza, HIV, and EBV, demonstrating its potential to streamline vaccine design.
Researchers at UMass Amherst developed a model that quantifies the impacts of social factors on HIV spread, finding that addressing barriers to treatment and care can reduce national HIV incidence by 29%. The study suggests that investing in prevention and social programs could be more cost-effective than treatment alone.
This study investigates the biological mechanisms underlying incomplete immune reconstitution and evaluates Dihydroartemisinin's potential as a therapeutic agent. DHA effectively inhibits T cell activation in individuals with incomplete immune reconstitution, presenting a promising treatment strategy.
Scientists discovered that repetitive HIV vaccinations can lead to the production of antibodies targeting immune complexes already bound to the virus. This chain reaction was observed in follow-up experiments on HIV-vaccinated animals and may impact vaccine design strategies. Understanding this response could lead to improved vaccines ...