Articles tagged with Human Immunodeficiency Virus
New HIV diagnoses rose by 31% in the EU/EEA in 2022, with migrants accounting for 49% of cases. Ukrainian refugees made up a significant proportion of new diagnoses, with women disproportionately affected. The increase highlights the need for tailored early testing and treatment approaches to address this growing public health threat.
Researchers created a blood-based test to detect both diseases, measure viral and bacterial loads, and track treatment progress. The test aims to improve patient outcomes by catching immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) earlier.
Researchers at UCLA and Charles Drew University are receiving NIH funding to tackle the HIV epidemic, with a focus on vulnerable populations such as youth, transgender individuals, and Black Americans. The projects will explore innovative implementation strategies to enhance community engagement and support high-quality services.
A University of Florida study found that 36% of people with HIV who own pets reported delaying health care, not seeking it or expecting to do so in the future. Pet ownership can provide emotional and social support, but also poses barriers such as financial concerns and housing access issues.
A UMass Amherst study explores gender differences in HIV-related stigma and social support among people living with HIV experiencing food insecurity in the Dominican Republic. Women described outright rejection, violence, and disempowerment, while men's experiences were more subtle.
A new study led by UCL researchers finds that integrated health care for chronic high-burden conditions like diabetes and hypertension is feasible and cost-effective. The study showed that integrated care was associated with high levels of retention in care, no adverse effect on viral suppression among people with HIV, and cost-saving ...
The study found that tenofovir alafenamide fumarate use is associated with a higher incidence of hypertension and statin initiation, particularly among those over 40. Continuous monitoring of blood pressure and lipids for TAF users is recommended.
A Canadian research team has identified the locations of HIV reservoirs in the body, revealing that they are concentrated in the spleen and lymph nodes. The discovery provides a potential window of opportunity for targeting these reservoirs with future therapies.
Researchers found that Dectin-1 stimulation induced a unique immune signature in HIV-positive older adults, characterized by increased levels of IL-12, TNF-α, and IFN-α. This signature may contribute to the pro-inflammatory environment associated with HIV and aging.
The USPSTF recommends prescribing preexposure prophylaxis using effective antiretroviral therapy to individuals at high risk of HIV acquisition. This strategy aims to decrease the risk of acquiring HIV, particularly among the estimated 1.2 million people living with HIV in the US.
Research reveals that a healthy gut microbiome can play a role in the acquisition and severity of HIV and EBV infections. The study found that animals colonized with resident microbiota had higher rates of HIV infection and increased viral loads, suggesting that altering the gut microbiota could be a potential therapeutic approach to c...
A new drug formulation designed for treating children with HIV has shown safety, tolerability, and effectiveness in a study published in The Lancet HIV. The formulation contains three medications and was found to suppress HIV levels below 200 copies/mL in 98% of participants.
Researchers found a novel region in the genome associated with spontaneous control of HIV in populations of African ancestries. CHD1L, a protein involved in DNA repair, shows genetic variation specific to these populations and limits HIV replication in white blood cells.
Researchers at Kyoto University successfully synthesized the structure of Lancilactone C, a rare anti-HIV compound. The team's method revealed an incorrect initial structure and showed that electrocyclization occurs in both synthesis and biosynthesis, leading to potential development of novel antivirals.
A study in The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (JANAC) found that people with HIV who smoke have higher rates of comorbid health problems, particularly cardiovascular disease and mental health disorders. These comorbidities are associated with demographic factors such as age, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.
A new study reveals that HIV patients in Washington D.C. were particularly vulnerable to psychosocial challenges like depression, anxiety, and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Older patients were found to be more resilient compared to younger ones, highlighting the importance of social security in weathering intense stressors.
Researchers identified a molecule that allows HIV to hide in reservoirs within CD4+ T lymphocytes. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor protein plays a crucial role in viral latency and has shown potential as a good therapeutic target.
Researchers have found that microglial cells in the brain can serve as a stable viral reservoir for latent HIV. This discovery provides new insights into how to target and eradicate the virus, particularly in the brain or peripheral blood.
Researchers from Oregon Health & Science University have discovered how stem cell transplantation can kill the virus that causes AIDS. The study, published in the journal Immunity, reveals that two circumstances must co-exist for a cure to occur and documents the order in which HIV is cleared from the body.
Researchers can reduce stigma in scientific literature by implementing practices such as referencing language guides, updating terminology, and connecting with the community. This change is crucial for promoting non-stigmatizing language and respecting preferred terms used by individuals living with HIV.
Researchers at the Center for One Health Research have found that antiviral drugs can make antifungals work again by blocking efflux pumps in Candida auris. This approach may be a key treatment strategy against the deadly fungal pathogen, which has a 60% mortality rate.
A UC Riverside-led study created a virtual village to connect older people living with HIV, reducing social isolation and depression. The virtual space provided health, community-based, and personal resources, facilitating positive connections and friendships.
A new randomized, controlled trial aims to integrate nutritional counseling with food-generating activities among people with HIV and food insecurity in the Dominican Republic. The project seeks to reduce viral loads, increase ART adherence, and improve overall health outcomes.
Scientists at Medical College of Georgia are investigating the impact of HIV treatment on bone and muscle aging. They found that common antiretroviral cocktails can accelerate aging by about a decade, leading to increased inflammation and oxidative stress in bone marrow stem cells.
Research from Boston Medical Center found that pulmonary tuberculosis enhances HIV antibody responses and increases the prevalence of antibody-resistant strains. This study has significant implications for HIV vaccines and antibody-based therapies, highlighting the need for novel strategies to generate broad and potent antibodies.
A video-based smoking cessation program developed by a University of Massachusetts Amherst researcher has helped nearly 40% of HIV-positive smokers in Nepal quit tobacco. The program, which includes 11 video sessions and is accessible via smartphone app, was found to be highly effective in promoting abstinence among participants.
A cohort study of 196 people treated with tecovirimat found that HIV status did not impact treatment outcomes. Only 22% of participants experienced nonsevere adverse effects, and 4 serious adverse events occurred, with 3 being persons with HIV. The findings contradict previous uncertainty about HIV's role in mpox acquisition.
Researchers at Temple University and the University of Nebraska Medical Center developed a novel dual gene-editing approach that can effectively eliminate HIV infection. The therapy targets both HIV-1, the virus responsible for AIDS, and CCR5, a co-receptor that facilitates viral entry into cells.
A new study found that more than 60% of parents had heard of PrEP, with relatively low levels of knowledge and high intentions to discuss and support their adolescents' PrEP care. The study highlights the importance of educating parents about PrEP to increase self-efficacy and uptake among at-risk populations.
Research found that STI and HIV testing rates dropped significantly in March 2020, while positive test rates rose. The decline was likely driven by public health recommendations limiting in-person visits during the pandemic.
Researchers at The Wistar Institute identified hopeaphenol as a plant-based compound that targets HIV reservoirs, reducing stress on the immune system and potentially decreasing age-related conditions. The compound was found to inhibit viral reactivation, blocking replication and production of new viruses in infected cells.
A new study confirms that HIV can persist in myeloid cells for months to several years, even in virally suppressed individuals. The findings suggest that these cells contribute to a long-lived HIV reservoir and may be an important target for cure efforts.
Scientists have identified monocytes, a type of white blood cell, as a potential target for eliminating HIV infections. A new study found that monocytes can harbor stable HIV genomes, which may provide a new direction for efforts to improve therapies and eventually cure the disease.
A recent study found that the mitochondrial antioxidant MitoQ can reverse the detrimental effects of HIV and antiretroviral therapy on organs such as the brain, heart, and liver. The researchers used humanized mice infected with HIV and treated them with MitoQ for three months.
The new test helps detect new HIV infection and follows current guidelines for testing patients on HIV prevention medication. The study identified successful efforts and opportunities for process improvement during the first three months of implementation.
A new stigma-coping intervention was found to increase engagement in substance use treatment and improve ART adherence among people with HIV who inject drugs. The intervention reduced avoidance of healthcare settings, leading to higher chances of starting ART and engaging with treatment.
A new method to cure HIV using umbilical cord blood stem cells has yielded long-term successful results for a middle-aged mixed-race woman with leukemia and HIV. The approach broadens the opportunities for people of diverse ancestry to attain cures.
A newly funded research project is exploring the link between HIV-induced aging and Alzheimer's disease. The team aims to develop a drug delivery system to increase HIV suppression in the brain and decrease associated neurocognitive disorders.
A new study examines the concerns of parents of sexual and gender minority (SGM) adolescents regarding HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use. Parents cited effectiveness and adverse effects as key factors in their decision-making, while also expressing questions about how to discuss PrEP with their children.
Researchers have discovered that HIV creates reservoirs as early as the first days of infection, hiding and persisting during antiretroviral therapy. This finding is a major obstacle to curing HIV, but it also offers new opportunities for treatment development.
After a stem cell transplant from a donor with the CCR5-delta 32 mutation, a man was able to stop his antiretroviral treatment without viral resurgence. Four years later, no HIV virus could be detected in his body, indicating probable cure. This case joins two previous reported cases and offers further proof that HIV can be cured.
A new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine reveals that physical activity is 1.5 times more effective than counselling or medications in managing depression. The review of 97 reviews and 1039 trials shows that exercise interventions, especially those lasting 12 weeks or less, can significantly reduce mental health ...
A new study has confirmed that people living with HIV who switch from efavirenz to dolutegravir may gain more weight and have a higher risk of developing high blood pressure. The study found that patients on dolutegravir gained an average of 1.78 kg in 12 months, compared to those on efavirenz.
A study has identified a severe form of mpox with a 15% mortality rate in people with advanced HIV disease and immunosuppression. The researchers recommend adding this form of mpox to the list of AIDS-defining conditions to guide management of immunocompromised individuals.
A study found that long-acting injectable ART suppressed HIV in people with unstable housing, mental illnesses, and substance use disorders. The treatment improved outcomes in underserved patients, overcoming daily treatment barriers such as housing insecurity and untreated mental illnesses.
Researchers found that doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis did not prevent chlamydia or gonorrhea among cisgender women in a clinical trial. The lack of efficacy was attributed to differences in anatomy and antibiotic resistance.
A 53-year-old man has been cured of HIV after receiving a stem cell transplant, marking the third person to achieve this. The patient's genome contained a mutation in the CCR5 gene, making it impossible for most HIV viruses to enter his CD4+ T-lymphocytes.
The AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) will present 29 presentations at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) 2023. The studies focus on COVID-19, HIV cure, pathogenesis, treatment, long-term complications, tuberculosis, hepatitis C, and contraception.
A team of researchers from UNC and CDC developed an injectable implant that can release HIV PrEP medications for up to six months, providing full protection. The technology has shown promise in non-human primates and could potentially be adapted for human use.
A Rutgers study found that older people living with HIV/AIDS face unmet mental health needs and are more likely to experience PTSD, substance dependence, and suicidal thoughts. Resilience may play a crucial role in increasing adherence to antiretroviral therapy, which is essential to ending the AIDS epidemic.
The institutions will develop trials to screen cervical cancer patients in low-resource countries, aiming to prevent advanced cancer. The collaboration aims to achieve the World Health Organization's goal of eliminating cervical cancer by adapting and innovating prevention strategies.
A UCSF study suggests people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or non-binary may have a higher risk of stroke at a younger age. Non-traditional stroke risks include HIV and syphilis infections.
A Rutgers study found that pregnant people with HIV have higher levels of chronic systemic inflammation and immune activation, leading to poor growth in children. The study aimed to investigate the impact on babies exposed to HIV but not infected.
A Phase 3 clinical trial testing an experimental HIV vaccine regimen found the treatment to be safe but ineffective in preventing HIV acquisition. The trial involved over 3,900 volunteers and concluded that the number of HIV infections were equivalent between the vaccine and placebo arms.
Research reveals that commonly used antiretroviral drugs TAF and TDF directly impact mitochondria's energy production in immune cells. The study suggests a larger energy reduction when combined with other antiretrovirals, sparking concerns about potential long-term effects on human cells.
Researchers discovered host proteins APOBEC3 can aid HIV's latency, a major hurdle to cure research. The finding raises questions about the role of these proteins and potential ways to block their activity to inhibit viral persistence.
A new study published in The Lancet HIV reveals that women experiencing recent intimate partner violence are three times more likely to contract HIV. The research highlights the intersectional epidemic of IPV and HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa, where women face increased risk of HIV acquisition and less frequent viral load suppression.
A new study finds epigenetic aging is associated with aberrant neural oscillatory dynamics serving visuospatial processing in people with HIV. Participants showed accelerated biological age and different brain activity patterns compared to controls, suggesting a link between biological aging and neural function in PWH.
A recent study by Texas A&M University reveals that rural family medicine physicians are less comfortable providing sexual risk reduction counseling to adolescents compared to their urban counterparts. This disparity highlights the need for increased awareness and training of PrEP-related clinical activities among rural providers, whic...
A new study suggests that expanding Medicaid coverage in Houston, combined with increased use of PrEP and antiviral medications, could lead to a significant decline in new HIV infections among young Black gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. The model projects a potential decrease in HIV incidence rate to almost 50% with...