Articles tagged with Human Immunodeficiency Virus
A new study from Zimbabwe found that providers are hesitant to test children for HIV due to concerns about guardianship and privacy. The research highlights the need for improved guidelines, training, and organizational adjustments to increase HIV testing and counseling among this vulnerable population.
University of Utah researchers developed a way to observe HIV budding without interfering with the process, showing ALIX's involvement in the late stages of virus replication. The study used digital camera and microscope technology to make movies and photos of the budding process.
A recent study by the University of Pittsburgh Center for Vaccine Research has provided direct evidence of a major culprit behind poor outcomes for some HIV-infected individuals. The research suggests that blocking bacterial translocation can significantly slow HIV progression and reduce comorbidities such as heart disease.
Daily nutritional supplementation improves HIV patient condition with significant weight gain from muscle mass and improved grip strength. The study highlights the importance of nutrition in conjunction with HIV treatment to prevent malnutrition-related deaths.
Researchers found high prevalence of hypertension and elevated cholesterol among HIV patients, with low rates of control. The study recommends greater emphasis on cardiology in HIV treatment and research to optimize heart disease risk factor management.
Scientists at the Scripps Research Institute have discovered that a single site on the surface protein of HIV can be targeted by an AIDS vaccine, potentially neutralizing nearly all strains of the virus. The study suggests that this approach could lead to a highly effective vaccine that targets a specific site on the Env protein.
Patients with immunosuppressive conditions are at high risk of shingles but lack access to vaccination due to safety concerns. Alternative strategies must be developed to reduce shingles risk among these patient groups.
A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that male circumcision is associated with a low rate of adverse events. The study suggests that male circumcision carries minimal risk and can be performed safely without compromising the child's long-term health outcomes.
Yuntao Wu's lab has won a $3.3 million NIH grant to develop an HIV cure using a Trojan Horse approach. The strategy aims to eliminate the virus by targeting its hiding places in T-cells. If successful, it could offer a cure for people struggling with HIV.
Researchers found EFdA, a soy sauce molecule, is up to 70 times more potent than Tenofovir, a first-line HIV drug, offering new hope for patients developing resistance. The compound works by hijacking the HIV replicating process, preventing virus spread.
Scientists at KU Leuven developed a new technique to study HIV proteins at the level of a single viral particle. This allows for quicker screening of anti-HIV drugs and potential to study other diseases.
Researchers have discovered a new class of proteins called cnidarins that can block HIV virus penetration into T-cells, providing a potent barrier against infection. The proteins were found in a feathery coral collected off Australia's northern coast and show a unique mechanism of action.
The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation is launching a three-year training program for nurse midwife technicians in rural Malawi to address the critical shortage of health care workers. The program aims to provide quality HIV and health services to rural communities, with support from the US CDC through PEPFAR.
Researchers at Simon Fraser University have found that HIV is slowly adapting to its human hosts in North America, a development with potential implications for vaccine design. The study, published in PLOS Genetics, suggests that the virus's adaptation rate may be too slow to pose a significant threat.
Researchers have discovered a new vulnerable site on the HIV virus that can be attacked by human antibodies, neutralizing its infectivity across various strains. This finding is crucial in developing an effective vaccine against HIV.
Researchers traced HIV's adaptation to its human host over time in North America, finding gradual changes that are unlikely to impact vaccine design. The study suggests that HIV's slow adaptation rate could have implications for host immunity and treatment efficacy.
A new microbicide gel has been found to prevent the transmission of HIV, herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2), and human papillomavirus (HPV) in animal studies. The gel, MZC, contains two potent antiviral agents that are effective against multiple strains of HIV and have a window of efficacy of at least eight hours prior to exposure.
New York University researchers found that computerized intervention may aid antiretroviral therapy, improving ART adherence and reducing sexual transmission risk behaviors. The study, published in the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, showed a promising intervention for increased ART adherence and safer sex.
A community-based HIV prevention effort boosted testing rates by 45% and reduced new infections by 14% in Africa and Thailand. The intervention also led to increased social acceptance of testing and lower rates of sexual partners among infected individuals.
A new paper highlights the disproportionate impact of HIV on communities of color and poor neighborhoods, emphasizing the need for geographically targeted prevention and treatment efforts. The authors call for increased investment in vulnerable communities to combat the epidemic.
A new strategy in the fight against HIV and AIDS emerges from a study that found immunosuppressant therapy can reduce inflammation and control viral persistence. Researchers discovered that patients taking certain immunosuppressive drugs, such as sirolimus, had fewer infected cells over time.
A new study published in AIDS Care found that pressure from counselors and perceived ineffectiveness of interventions can deter young adults from returning for follow-up sessions. The study suggests that tailoring interventions to individual needs, including delivering personalized information about HIV risk, can improve retention rates.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that men with HIV have a greater risk and extent of coronary artery disease compared to uninfected men. Meanwhile, nearly one-third of patients fail to fill their first-time prescriptions, which may impact clinical outcomes.
A study of 882 HIV-infected prisoners found that treating inmates for HIV while incarcerated helped a majority achieve viral suppression by release. Most prisoners achieved viral suppression regardless of age, race, or ART regimen type.
Patients co-infected with HIV and hepatitis C have an 80 percent higher rate of decompensated cirrhosis than hepatitis C-only patients. Even when ART is effective, they still experience a 60 percent higher risk of serious liver disease compared to those with hepatitis C alone.
Scientists at the University of Granada have discovered an allosteric interaction between HIV protein gp41 and antibody 2F5, a potent virus neutralizer. This breakthrough could lead to the design of effective vaccines against HIV by understanding how immune responses work.
A new study calls for increased routine HIV testing among older adults, citing high rates of 'late presentation' and significantly increased mortality. The UK's growing population of older individuals living with HIV requires a more comprehensive approach to care, incorporating mental, functional, and social aspects.
A person with both lupus and HIV was found to produce the correct type of neutralizing antibodies, a key component of an effective vaccine. The study provides new insights into the immune system's response to the virus and could aid in the development of vaccines capable of overcoming tolerance controls.
A Northwestern University-designed intravaginal ring provides both antiretroviral drug and contraceptive protection for months, addressing a significant need in women's reproductive health. The device, known as the tenofovir levonorgestrel IVR, has been engineered to deliver controlled doses of these medications over an extended period.
Researchers analyzed data from the VOICE trial and found that women using injectable contraceptive DMPA were more likely to acquire HIV than those using NET-EN. The study also showed a significant difference in HIV risk between DMPA and NET-EN users, particularly among HSV-2 positive women.
Two new HIV prevention products, a combination antiretroviral vaginal ring and a film releasing the drug dapivirine, show safety and hold promise for further development. The products aim to provide an array of options for women-initiated prevention tools against HIV.
Research finds that HIV transmissions within communities are often facilitated by sexual contact with partners from outside the community. The study, conducted in Uganda, analyzed data from 46 communities and found that most new infections occur through sex with an outsider.
A computer model recommends a combination of interventions, including increased HIV testing, substance abuse treatment, needle and syringe exchange programs, and antiretroviral treatment as prevention to reduce HIV spread in NYC. The result would lower new infections by more than 60% by 2040.
Researchers have discovered potent antibodies in a KwaZulu-Natal woman's blood that can kill multiple strains of HIV. The study, published in Nature, could lead to new HIV vaccine strategies and improve treatment options.
Researchers used Twitter 'big data' to track HIV incidence and drug-related behaviors, mapping where tweets originated and linking them with geographic distribution of HIV cases. The study suggests that monitoring tweets can predict sexual risk and drug use behaviors, potentially preventing outbreaks.
The University of North Carolina has received a seven-year, $40 million award from the NIH for its Global HIV Prevention and Treatment Clinical Trials Unit. The unit will lead research on HIV treatment, prevention, and cure, with a focus on high-risk populations in the US and sub-Saharan Africa.
Women living in world regions with high HIV rates are at high risk of acquiring HIV during pregnancy and postpartum. The combined HIV incidence rate among pregnant/postpartum women was 3.8/100 person-years, significantly higher in African countries than non-African countries.
The UK's mother to child HIV transmission rate has dropped to an all-time low of 0.46%, according to a study published in the journal AIDS. The decline is attributed to earlier initiation of antenatal combination antiretroviral therapy and increased uptake of antenatal HIV screening.
A large-scale survey of South African healthcare workers reveals major gaps in workplace protection against tuberculosis, HIV, and hepatitis. Healthcare workers are at higher risk of contracting these diseases due to lack of screening, vaccination, and proper hygiene practices.
A new Penn Medicine study found that mental health patients are up to four times more likely to be infected with HIV than the general population. Researchers tested over 1,000 patients in care and detected several new HIV cases, highlighting the need for routine testing in mental health settings.
A new analysis of data from the Women's Interagency HIV Study reveals that anxiety is the biggest factor affecting thinking skills in midlife women with HIV. Mental processing speed and verbal memory were more closely linked to depression, anxiety, and hot flashes in both HIV-infected and healthy women.
A group of experts warn that high blood pressure could be as devastating to global health as HIV, with potentially more deaths over the next 20 years. Despite similarities between the two conditions, there is 'denial' and misunderstanding about hypertension's impact, hindering effective treatment and management.
Researchers found a mechanism that helps HIV evade antibodies and stabilize key proteins. By sulfating amino acids on the gp120 protein, the virus can be made more susceptible to neutralizing antibodies, which could lead to more effective HIV vaccines.
Researchers at Caltech used high-resolution electron microscopy to visualize HIV infection in the gut of an infected mouse model. The study revealed novel observations about HIV behavior, including semisynchronous wave patterns of virus release from infected cells and transmission through free pools of virus.
Scientists at UC Berkeley and NIH have captured a high-resolution snapshot of the Nef protein, which hijacks host proteins to facilitate HIV's lethality. By blocking a promising target on host protein AP2, researchers aim to slow or stop HIV.
Research found that drugs used to treat HIV penetrate poorly into lymphatic tissues, allowing persistent low-level virus replication. This replication may contribute to chronic immune activation and accelerated aging in patients.
A new study found differences in doctor-patient dialogue about HIV drug adherence depending on patients' race and ethnicity. Black patients experienced significant provider dominance, while Hispanic patients had more extensive dialogues about adherence.
A study in PLOS Genetics found that HIV drug resistance mutations can spread rapidly within a patient, leading to a homogeneous or heterogeneous viral population. The researchers estimate the effective population size of HIV to be around 150,000, which may help inform treatment strategies and predict resistance evolution.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania conducted a large-scale HIV intervention project in South Africa, involving nearly 1,200 individuals. The program showed significant improvements in condom use and reductions in unprotected sex among men, with participants reporting increased discussions about safe sex and condom use.
A study found that pro-inflammatory molecules were strongly associated with increased mortality in alcohol-abusing HIV patients. IL-6 was identified as the molecule most closely linked to mortality, regardless of antiretroviral therapy use. This research may inform strategies to improve mortality rates among this vulnerable population.
Researchers at Duke University have determined the structure of a key part of the HIV envelope protein, gp41 membrane proximal external region (MPER), which previously eluded detailed structural description. This discovery will help focus HIV vaccine development efforts.
A team led by The Wistar Institute will conduct a 4-year, randomized clinical trial to test an immunotherapy strategy that has shown promise in reducing the amount of persistent HIV-1 virus residing in cells. The trial aims to establish the effectiveness of this approach in advancing an HIV cure.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine deploy a combination therapy targeting persistent HIV-infected cells that standard therapies cannot kill. The study uses mouse models and finds that an antibody combined with a bacterial toxin can penetrate infected cells and kill them, resulting in a six-fold drop in the number of infected cells.
The Population Council is developing a non-antiretroviral HIV microbicide to prevent HIV and other STIs, particularly for women in sub-Saharan Africa. The project aims to create safe, effective, and acceptable products with the potential to deliver an additional prevention option globally.
The proportion of opioid treatment programs offering on-site testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) decreased substantially between 2000 and 2011, despite guidelines recommending routine opt-out HIV testing. For-profit opioid treatment programs were more likely to experience this decline.
University of Minnesota researchers have discovered a series of compounds with anti-HIV activity that block HIV DNA synthesis or induce lethal mutagenesis. The compounds, known as ribonucleoside analogs, stop the replication and spread of HIV by preventing it from reproducing.
The Microbicide Trials Network, led by the University of Pittsburgh, has received a seven-year, $70 million grant to continue developing and testing HIV prevention products. The network aims to address unmet needs for new products targeting young women and men who have sex with men.
Research presented at EuroEcho-Imaging 2013 found that HIV patients with a positive blood viral load have a significantly higher incidence of structural heart disease. The study suggests that HIV itself might be an independent causal agent, and having a detectable blood viral load nearly doubles the prevalence of heart disease.
A new study found that antiretroviral therapy has saved 2.8 million years of life in South Africa since 2004, with projections of an additional 15.1 million years saved by 2030. Aggressive HIV testing and treatment strategies could further increase these benefits.
Researchers found a protein, Sprouty-2, that causes loss of function in immune cells combatting HIV, but disabling it restored their ability to fight the virus. Disabling both Sprouty-2 and PD-1 in exhausted T cells reversed exhaustion completely.