Articles tagged with Human Immunodeficiency Virus
A recent meta-analysis found that behavioral interventions can effectively promote condom use and reduce the incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, for up to four years. The studies included in the analysis assessed behavior changes and biological outcomes worldwide, with a focus on at-risk populations.
A new study published in Addiction journal found that alcohol consumption directly impacts a person's intention to have unsafe sex. The study analyzed 12 experiments and found a significant increase in the likelihood of unprotected sex with rising blood alcohol levels.
Experts emphasize the need to treat multiple diseases simultaneously, as common in sub-Saharan Africa, for better outcomes and cost-effectiveness. Studies show that addressing co-infections can significantly reduce HIV transmission risk and viral load.
A team of scientists has identified the 'key' that HIV uses to enter cells' nuclei, allowing it to disable the immune system and cause AIDS. By targeting proteins in the host rather than the virus itself, researchers hope to develop more effective anti-AIDS drugs against drug-resistant strains.
Dr. Martin Were's mobile health solutions have improved patient care and reduced substandard care in Kenya's AMPATH initiative. The innovations use smartphone technology to provide real-time access to patient data and enforce compliance with care guidelines.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that Danish HIV patients with optimal treatment can live as long as the general population. The study, which has been tracking HIV patients for over 15 years, shows that patients are not as ill on diagnosis and have higher CD4 cell counts. This suggests that early treatment and better care may be con...
In Malawi, people with uncertain HIV status are more eager to start families than those who know their status. Researchers found that uncertainty about HIV accelerates childbearing in the country due to cultural factors and the desire for a longer life. The study used an innovative method to measure personal uncertainty, where particip...
Researchers at Caltech have successfully delivered neutralizing antibodies to mice using Vectored ImmunoProphylaxis (VIP), a novel approach to HIV prevention. The treatment effectively protected the mice from HIV infection and produced high concentrations of broadly neutralizing antibodies that may translate to human protection.
A Scripps Florida scientist has received a $3.4 million grant to study a new compound that blocks HIV replication by targeting the viral protein Tat. The goal is to evaluate its therapeutic potential in animal models and optimize it for human clinical trials, potentially leading to a novel class of anti-viral drugs.
The VOICE trial has stopped using tenofovir gel due to its lack of effectiveness in preventing HIV. Women enrolled in the study will still participate in the daily use of Truvada, which was found to be effective.
A rare type of HIV-infection, group N, has been diagnosed in a man in France who recently travelled to Togo, marking the first detection outside Cameroon. The patient exhibited severe clinical manifestations and early decline in CD4 cell count, but responded well to antiretroviral treatment.
Researchers reveal how a broadly neutralizing HIV antibody called PG9 disarms the virus by grabbing hold of a sugar at residue 160, along with part of a second sugar and a string of amino acid residues in the V1/V2 region. This discovery may help scientists develop more effective HIV vaccines.
Mayo Clinic has been awarded a $1.25 million grant by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop online medical education in Ethiopia.
A new vaginal ring combining dapivirine and maraviroc is being evaluated for its safety and effectiveness as an HIV microbicide. The study, MTN-013/IPM 026, aims to assess the ring's ability to prevent HIV infection in women through vaginal sex.
Researchers found that providing prophylaxis to the uninfected partner could be cost-effective, at least as effective as initiating antiretroviral therapy earlier. This strategy may become a valuable addition to existing HIV prevention approaches.
A recent HIV study has identified SAMHD1, a protein that prevents the virus from replicating in certain cells. The research provides a blueprint for designing new drugs to treat HIV infection.
A Wayne State University researcher is conducting studies to understand the differences in marijuana use among three subgroups of HIV-positive patients. The goal is to address knowledge gaps and inform decision-making at a state level, potentially guiding treatment and policy.
A large-scale community-randomized trial found that community counseling reduced TB prevalence and child infections by half, with costs under $1 per person per year. The ZAMSTAR project, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, improved TB testing and service integration in communities.
Researchers aim to evaluate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a peer-driven intervention to reach, test, and retain heterosexuals at high risk for HIV in their communities. The study will enroll 3400 participants over five years.
A team of Caltech biologists has developed a new, more potent HIV antibody that targets the virus's entry site. The antibody shows increased effectiveness against multiple subtypes of HIV, paving the way for potential clinical testing and improved vaccine development.
Recent research highlights that faster diagnostic tests are necessary but not sufficient to improve health outcomes for tuberculosis and HIV patients. The study emphasizes the need for thorough evaluation of diagnostics to ensure technical advancements translate into better patient care.
A new transdermal patch has been developed to deliver HIV medication over seven days, offering a more convenient and affordable option for patients. The patch shows significant potential in reducing the number of pills patients need to take daily, as well as decreasing shipping costs.
The UCSF Center for AIDS Prevention Studies will receive funding to tackle two primary goals of the National AIDS Strategy: increasing access to care and optimizing health outcomes. The program aims to close gaps in HIV testing, linkage to care, and treatment success among high-risk populations.
A French study found that non-targeted HIV rapid test screening in emergency departments identified only a few new cases, often at late stages and among patients in high-risk groups who had been tested previously. The study suggests that targeted HIV screening strategies may be more effective in controlling the epidemic.
A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that the optimal time to integrate HIV treatment with TB therapy depends on a patient's immune status. Patients with advanced HIV disease who start antiretroviral treatment earlier show significant improvements in survival rates.
Starting HIV therapy two weeks after TB treatment increases survival by 33 percent, according to a recent study. The study suggests that immunosuppressed patients should be started on ART rapidly at two weeks after beginning TB therapy.
Researchers have discovered a highly effective antibody that can neutralize approximately 70% of globally circulating HIV strains by targeting the virus's envelope protein. The new findings suggest a promising target for AIDS vaccine development, with potential implications for broadening the protection against the fast-mutating virus.
A five-year HIV prevention initiative in India, Avahan, has successfully averted an estimated 100,000 infections. The program's effectiveness varied across states, with southern regions showing more significant reductions in HIV prevalence.
Over the past decade, antiretroviral therapy has effectively managed HIV in adults with virological failure to all three original drug classes. Since 2000, nearly one in five patients achieved undetectable viral loads after treatment failure, increasing to nearly three in five by 2009.
Research suggests earlier male circumcision can reduce HIV and HPV transmission rates in South Africa. The study found that high prevalence of HPV among HIV-infected men and their female partners limits the effectiveness of male circumcision as a prevention method.
Researchers have discovered two genetically distinct HIV types in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with HIV-associated dementia, which may predict disease progression and cognitive damage. The study found that one variant infects macrophages, a type of white blood cell, while the other reproduces in T cells.
Home-based supervised oral HIV self-testing has been shown to be feasible in high-HIV-prevalence settings in urban Africa. The study found strong community readiness for this approach alongside other HIV counseling and testing strategies.
A study of nearly 3800 couples found that hormonal contraception increases a woman's chances of becoming infected with HIV-1. Women using injectable methods were twice as likely to transmit the virus to their male partner, emphasizing the need for alternative methods.
A University of Washington-led study found that using hormonal contraception increases an HIV-uninfected woman's chances of becoming infected by double. Women with HIV who use hormonal contraception are also twice as likely to transmit the virus to their male partners.
Researchers at UCLA have discovered how cell-penetrating peptides, such as the HIV TAT peptide, interact with cells to facilitate the transfer of molecular cargoes. The study reveals that these peptides can act like a Swiss Army Knife, interacting strongly with membranes and cytoskeletons to produce multiple pathways of translocation.
The MVA-B vaccine has been shown to induce an 90% immune response in humans against Human's immunodeficiency virus (HIV), with 85% of volunteers maintaining this response for at least one year. The vaccine works by training the immune system to recognize and respond to HIV particles and infected cells.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have modified HIV to trigger an immune response, a major hurdle in vaccine development. The altered virus activates the adaptive immune system's response against HIV, negating its immunosuppressive properties.
The VOICE trial will continue testing the safety and effectiveness of oral Truvada and tenofovir gel, while discontinuing daily use of oral tenofovir tablets. The trial enrolled 5,029 women across three countries to evaluate the efficacy of ARV-based approaches in preventing HIV transmission.
Researchers from Boston University Schools of Medicine and Public Health are part of a $10 million grant to examine the consequences of alcohol on HIV disease. The study aims to understand how alcohol affects HIV clinical manifestations and develop more effective treatments.
Researchers have discovered a new class of compounds that stick to the sugary coating of the AIDS virus and inhibit its entry into cells. The synthetic lectins, developed from a compound called benzoboroxole, show promise as a potential microbicide to prevent HIV infection.
Researchers predict numerous human proteins required by HIV to replicate, discovering potential new targets for controlling the spread of HIV. The study also identifies prognostic markers to determine pathological outcome and AIDS development.
Researchers used a new algorithm to predict human proteins that the HIV virus requires to replicate, offering potential new targets for controlling its spread. The study found many previously undiscovered proteins with high predictive value as prognostic markers.
Researchers at Imperial College London discovered that removing cholesterol from HIV's membrane prevents the virus from damaging the immune system. This finding could lead to the development of an effective HIV vaccine by boosting the adaptive response and weakening the innate immune system's overreaction.
A $37 million grant has been awarded to test a combination prevention strategy to prevent HIV in African countries. The PopART project aims to reduce new HIV infections through community-wide testing, medical circumcision, and immediate ART for those testing positive.
A study from Lund University in Uganda found that almost one third of students have experienced sexual coercion, which is linked to risky sexual behavior. The researchers suggest targeting both perpetrators and victims to combat HIV in the country.
Researchers have demonstrated a new HIV vaccine approach by designing an altered form of the virus's outer coating protein. This allows for better targeting of immature B cell receptors, leading to enhanced immune responses in animal models.
New HIV cases linked to infected, medicated partners in gay community, suggesting a need for revised public health approach towards HIV counselling and education. The study reveals that existing HIV drug therapies can't prevent transmission from aware, medicated individuals.
Researchers studying HIV in Pakistan's general population found the virus has spread beyond at-risk groups to women and children. Genetic analysis suggests the strongest factor of disease spread is through men who sleep with male intravenous drug users.
Researchers have isolated 17 novel antibodies capable of neutralizing a broad spectrum of HIV variants, offering new targets for vaccine candidates. The potency of these antibodies is significantly higher than previously discovered ones, with some blocking infection up to 100 times more effectively.
A novel intervention strategy aims to provide HIV testing, medical care, and prevention services to this growing population. The YMSM of Color Initiative focuses on outreach, access to medical care, and preventing HIV transmission.
Deborah Anderson is leading a research study on plant-based antibodies to prevent HSV and HIV infections in women. The project aims to create affordable and large-capacity manufacturing systems for biopharmaceuticals, ensuring access to treatments for at-risk populations worldwide.
A NIH-led team has discovered a method to guide the evolution of powerful HIV-neutralizing antibodies, which could lead to the development of an effective vaccine. The researchers used deep sequencing and bioinformatics techniques to decipher the genetic data of immune cells that produce these antibodies.
Researchers found that HIV detection odds differ by method, with social networks and partner services outperforming alternative venue testing. The study suggests a multi-faceted approach to HIV prevention is needed, acknowledging individual differences within the demographic.
A USC scientist has created a lentiviral vector that targets and destroys HIV-infected cells using 'suicide gene therapy', depleting about 35% of existing HIV cells in culture dishes. The treatment approach is an important step towards curing HIV and will be tested in mice next.
A new study shows natural killer cells can contribute to HIV immune response, suggesting an additional cell type with anti-HIV activity. Researchers found that HIV strains infecting individuals with specific NK cell receptors had variant forms of viral proteins, implying the virus mutates to avoid NK cell activity.
A comprehensive review and data synthesis highlights the emergence of HIV epidemics among men who have sex with men in the region, with high rates of risky sexual behavior and concentrated epidemics in countries like Egypt and Sudan. The authors stress the need for expanded HIV surveillance and access to prevention and treatment services.
A new University of Cincinnati study found that missed opportunities for HIV diagnosis occur in 157 visits to an academic emergency department, 24 visits in an urban community hospital and six visits to a suburban community hospital.
Researchers at Caltech have developed a new, more potent form of the HIV-fighting protein cyanovirin-N by linking two proteins together. The engineered protein, called CVN2L0, is 18 times more effective at preventing infection than the naturally occurring single protein and neutralizes all 33 subtypes of HIV tested against it.
The study estimates that around 10 million injecting drug users globally are infected with HCV, while 1.3 million have HBV infection. The authors emphasize the need for increased attention to viral hepatitis in IDUs and enhanced access to treatments.
Researchers from BUSM and BMC will implement a clinical model to coordinate narcology and HIV systems of care in Russia, aiming to increase engagement in medical care among HIV-infected IDUs. The LINC project aims to address the missed opportunity of delayed or non-receipt of HIV medical care in Russia.