Articles tagged with Human Immunodeficiency Virus
A study found that taking Truvada 'as needed' around periods of sexual activity reduced the risk of HIV transmission amongst men and transgender women at high-risk by 86%. The researchers suggest this approach can increase adherence to medication regimes, leading to improved prevention outcomes.
The Population Council's MZC microbicide gel has demonstrated strong efficacy against HIV, HSV-2, and HPV in a preclinical study, outperforming TFV 1% gel in some cases. The gel contains a potent antiretroviral compound and carrageenan, which provides enhanced anti-HPV properties.
A research team found that HIV's infectivity is regulated by protein motions, which can be manipulated to inhibit viral replication. By examining the interactions between HIV and host-cell protein cyclophilin A, the team identified a key mechanism for developing new therapeutic interventions.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that while HIV mortality declined and life expectancy improved for all adults following ART scale-up, the improvements were greater for females than males. Female adult life expectancy increased by 13.2 years, while male life expectancy increased only 9 years.
A modeling study suggests that countries will likely miss the 90-90-90 treatment target by 2020 due to funding gaps. The estimated gap in financial resources needed versus available for ART scale-up ranges from $19.8 billion to $25.0 billion.
A new study found that many European hospitals fail to routinely test patients at risk of HIV infection, missing out on diagnosing nearly two-thirds of those living with the condition. In Northern Europe, this results in a significantly lower test rate compared to Eastern Europe.
Researchers explore new pre-exposure prophylaxis strategies, broadly neutralizing antibodies, and innate antibacterial activity in relation to HIV acquisition. Advances in vaccine development and emerging clinical trial results offer promising near-term strategies for reducing HIV transmission.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has launched a major initiative to advance novel approaches to treat and prevent HIV infections using broadly neutralizing antibodies. Researchers will work with GlaxoSmithKline to develop long-acting agents for preventing and treating HIV.
A study at Georgetown University Medical Center found that HIV+ individuals over 50 years old showed cognitive impairments, even if they scored 'cognitively normal' in standard tests. Brain scans revealed deficits in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex region, a key executive area.
Researchers at The Scripps Research Institute have identified four prototype antibodies targeting a weak spot on HIV, which could lead to an effective vaccine. Two of these antibodies use their basic germline structure to bind with the virus, potentially allowing patients with HIV to kick-start a useful immune response.
A new study from Oregon State University researcher Jonathan Garcia finds that safe spaces serve as surrogate homes, creating an environment with social support and reducing vulnerabilities like exposure to violence and lack of employment opportunities. The spaces help men feel secure, increasing their openness to HIV testing and treat...
A study found that pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) significantly reduced the rate of HIV acquisition, even among those at high risk. Adherence to PrEP was higher among participants with more reported risk behaviors.
A new study by Brown University found that HIV incidence rises significantly in the five years leading up to bloodshed in sub-Saharan Africa. The rate of new infections increases by 2.1 infections per 1000 people a year during this period, compared to times of peace.
Researchers develop 'kick and kill' strategy using Dual-Affinity Re-Targeting molecules to target HIV-infected cells and killer T cells. The study shows that the molecules can induce killing of infected cells and reduce detectable HIV expression in blood cells.
A study found that switching to efavirenz-based therapy did not result in higher rates of viral rebound or failure in HIV-infected children with suppressed viral loads. This approach may offer advantages in these patients.
Researchers found that switching to efavirenz is effective in reducing viral rebound and improving CD4 T cell counts, suggesting it's a safer alternative for older children and adults.
Research in the Netherlands found that persistent HIV transmission clusters, many of which originated before 1996, continue to sustain the epidemic among men who have sex with men. The study highlights the need for new prevention strategies to combat further increases in infection rates.
Researchers at The Miriam Hospital are exploring whether phone-delivered mindfulness training can help individuals living with HIV better cope with stress, anxiety, and depression. The study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability of phone-based mindfulness training for improving ART adherence and promoting healthy behaviors.
A computer model developed by Johns Hopkins predicts that strengthening HIV care, including retention in care and increased testing, can avert 752,000 new infections and 276,000 AIDS deaths over 20 years. Enhanced interventions could reduce incidence by 54% and mortality by 64% at a cost-effectiveness ratio of $45,300 per QALY.
The University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health is launching a study to promote health among aging gay and bisexual men living with HIV. The research team will identify protective factors, or resiliencies, that help some men stay healthy and could be extended to others.
A new study by Dr. Susitha Wanigaratne found that pregnant refugee women in Ontario had a higher prevalence of HIV than immigrants and Canadian-born women, with rates eight times higher for refugees than immigrants and 17 times higher than Canadian-born women. The study suggests that recent changes to Canadian immigration policy may ha...
A new experimental treatment regimen combining a drug delivery system and URMC-099 has been shown to effectively combat HIV, reducing the need for daily medication. The nanoformulated protease inhibitor and URMC-099 prolonged therapeutic effects by increasing drug concentration in immune cells.
A new method allows patients to get effective treatment quickly with improved sensitivity and speed. The system operates directly on the virus' RNA rather than requiring extra steps, enabling faster detection of drug-resistant strains.
Researchers found that low-income Virginians with HIV who enrolled in Affordable Care Act healthcare plans had better virologic suppression rates (85.5%) compared to those receiving care under the state's AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) (78.7%). Patients enrolling earlier in ACA insurance also tended to have better health outcomes.
Researchers have discovered three immune system biomarkers - PD-1, Tim-3 and Lag-3 - that can predict when the HIV virus will rebound after treatment interruption. These biomarkers are associated with 'exhausted' T-cells prior to patients commencing ART.
A study by the University of Virginia found that low-income HIV patients enrolled in Affordable Care Act (ACA) health plans achieved higher viral suppression rates compared to those receiving only medications through direct AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). This approach allows the state to cover more patients in a cost-effective wa...
Research reveals that certain vaginal bacteria species can trap HIV particles, while others allow them to diffuse freely. The study suggests that altering a woman's vaginal microbiota could improve protection against STIs by increasing the barrier properties of cervicovaginal mucus.
A UC Riverside-led study found a high prevalence of HPV infection among Peruvian men who have sex with men (MSM), highlighting the need for targeted HPV vaccine delivery. The study suggests that HPV vaccine can be a useful tool in preventing chronic infection and related cancers among sexually experienced individuals.
The American College of Physicians recommends against routine pelvic exams for asymptomatic adult women due to low diagnostic accuracy. In contrast, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology maintains that annual exams are necessary for recognizing issues like incontinence and sexual dysfunction.
A primary care-based program has been shown to lower patients' substance dependence and encourage treatment engagement. The program's success was attributed to medication-assisted treatment, such as buprenorphine, and addressing underlying depression.
A new bi-specific antibody, DART, has been developed to bind HIV-infected cells to the immune system's killer T cells, potentially clearing HIV infection. The molecule was engineered using HIV-targeting antibodies and showed early promise in pre-clinical models.
University of Missouri researchers have discovered that Interferon Induced Transmembranes (IFITM) proteins can inhibit the transmission of HIV-1, the most common HIV strain. The study found that IFITM proteins specifically interact with the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein and block its maturation, reducing viral infectivity and transmission.
Researchers argue that single therapies are unlikely to achieve long-term HIV remission, and propose a data-driven approach to combination therapy trials. The proposed method involves parallel animal and human studies, with combinations selected based on in vitro and existing data, accelerating the research process.
A study published in mBio found that children with cerebral malaria have an accumulation of white blood cells and platelets in the brain, which is more severe in HIV-positive children. This discovery may lead to better treatment algorithms for CM.
A clinical trial of romidepsin, an HDAC inhibitor, found that it can reverse HIV latency in individuals on long-term antiretroviral therapy. The treatment did not negatively affect T-cell function, and increased plasma HIV-1 RNA was detectable in five of six participants.
Researchers at Yale University have created a new process for synthesizing an organic compound that inhibits HIV. The approach uses aromatic nitrogen heterocycles to streamline the synthesis, reducing time and increasing efficiency.
A team of researchers has identified ERManI as a key protein that prevents HIV-1 replication, providing a potential natural defense against the disease. The discovery could lead to the development of new antiretroviral treatments and promote HIV resistance by increasing ERManI levels.
The Healthy Young Men's Study aims to improve HIV care and prevention among Black, Latino, and multiracial gay and bisexual young men. The 5-year study will investigate the use of new technologies and biomedical interventions to prevent new HIV infections in highly impacted communities.
Researchers Ivona Pandrea and Cristian Apetrei are investigating the relation between accelerated aging characteristics linked to HIV infection and non-AIDS comorbidities. They aim to develop treatments tackling these processes, aiming to improve quality of life for people on HIV medications.
Researchers find PCMH costs per physician FTE were $7,691 in Utah and $9,658 in Colorado. Family physicians with high HIV experience are more likely to adhere to antiretroviral therapy protocols. Adequate compensation is critical for practices to sustain medical home services.
Researchers at Caltech have identified a broadly neutralizing antibody that can recognize HIV's envelope spike in different conformations, making it easier to detect and neutralize the virus. This discovery could lead to the development of combination therapies to fight HIV, which is currently evolving rapidly.
Researchers have found a new strategy to eliminate HIV by reactivating latent infected cells using a class of drugs called Smac mimetics. The approach, which has shown promising results in clinical trials for cancer, may lead to a safe and effective treatment to cure the virus.
A community-based prospective study in Blantyre, Malawi found that HIV self-testing (HIVST) was widely accepted and accurate, with 94.6% of participants reporting high satisfaction. The study also showed that HIVST led to a low incidence of partner violence and suicides, and agreed with repeat HTC results in 99.4% of cases.
A simplified 'Test and Treat' intervention was associated with increased engagement in HIV/AIDS care and a 62% reduction in mortality among participants. The program improved diagnosis, linkage to care, and treatment outcomes, with a significant increase in pre-ART CD4 testing and ART initiation.
A study published in AIDS and Behavior found that the D.C. needle exchange program prevented 70% of newly diagnosed HIV cases and saved an estimated $44 million over two years by reducing the need for costly treatment. The program also provided access to health services, including HIV testing and addiction treatment.
A study found that RWHAP-funded facilities provided more comprehensive services, including case management and mental health support, compared to non-funded facilities. Despite this, nearly 75% of patients at RWHAP-funded facilities achieved viral suppression, while some subgroups benefited from these services.
The Third Coast Center for AIDS Research aims to slow and stop HIV in young gay men, a demographic group experiencing rising infections at 5% annually. The center will unite HIV researchers from different disciplines and provide services through five cores.
Researchers found that HIV's cell-to-cell transmission is the primary mechanism for massive CD4 T cell death, leading to the progression from HIV to AIDS. Disrupting this transmission effectively stopped cell death.
Research reveals HIV testing trends among adults aged 50-64 are not sustaining gains after CDC's 2006 recommendation. Testing rates remain low at around 3.7% despite risk behaviors remaining constant, underscoring the importance of patient advocacy for older adults
Participants in an agricultural intervention showed improved HIV outcomes, including increased CD4 cell counts and viral suppression rates. The program addressed food insecurity, poverty, and empowerment, demonstrating a potential solution to combat the intertwined issues of HIV/AIDS and food insecurity.
A new study suggests Ontario is close to meeting United Nations targets to end the AIDS epidemic by 2020. The study found that 87.3% of people in Ontario with HIV were receiving care, and 76% had a suppressed viral load. However, there are still gaps in healthcare access for younger adults, especially gay men and those with substance u...
Researchers constructed an atomic model of an immature retrovirus, revealing key structural features and a six-helix bundle domain that may be a target for blocking the virus. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new anti-retroviral drugs.
A recent study found that HIV virus can persist and continue to grow in patients receiving uninterrupted treatment for up to 14 years. This persistence occurs due to the virus's ability to hide inside blood cells responsible for immune response, copy itself, and automatically incorporate its genetic information into DNA.
UC Davis researchers have identified a compound, PEP005, that activates latent HIV and increases activation by up to 15-fold when combined with JQ1. This breakthrough offers promising hope for an HIV cure. The study's findings suggest that PEP005 is already approved by the FDA and has great potential to advance into clinical studies.
The amfAR report identifies key indicators and recommendations for policymakers and community stakeholders to improve HIV prevention and care outcomes in states. The report urges states to target resources to key populations, remove barriers to access, and modernize laws related to HIV exposure.
Researchers have found two combination treatments that effectively reactivated latent HIV in cells, providing novel opportunities for advancing HIV eradication strategies. Ingenol-3-angelate and PEP005, combined with JQ1, showed a 7.5-fold increase in viral reactivation compared to PEP005 alone.
The improved survival rate of HIV patients in sub-Saharan Africa facilitates the study of cardiovascular disease in these patients. Studies have shown that highly active antiretroviral treatment is associated with a 50% reduction in HIV-related cardiomyopathy, and researchers now have access to a population with both HIV and cardiovasc...
A UTHealth researcher has been awarded a grant to analyze the genetic and social network aspects of HIV transmission clusters. The study, led by Dr. Kayo Fujimoto, will compare social clustering by venue to common viral strains of HIV infection.
Canada has eliminated mother-to-child HIV transmission by ensuring all pregnant women are screened for HIV and receive treatment. Regular combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) is nearly 100% effective in preventing transmission when given during pregnancy.
Researchers at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have developed a novel treatment regimen that effectively treats hepatitis C virus (HCV) in patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV), with a 97% success rate