Articles tagged with Human Immunodeficiency Virus
A study of 130 middle-aged and older African-American men found that many engaged in high-risk sexual practices without using condoms. The research also showed that men who were single and displayed fewer HIV symptoms were least likely to use condoms during sex, with 78% able to answer questions about HIV and AIDS correctly.
A new study by David Heckerman and colleagues developed a statistical framework to model HLA-dependent T cell response data. The approach identified 12 correct predictions out of 16, providing significant implications for understanding and developing an HIV vaccine.
A new study reveals that over 30 US states require specific consent for HIV testing, potentially limiting the implementation of CDC's 2006 recommendations. Researchers found that nearly half of these states also require pre-test counseling and disclosure of transmission information to patients.
The NIH grant will support innovative research into HIV transmission and early infection, with a focus on understanding the interactions between HIV and the immune systems of newly infected patients. The study aims to provide new clues for developing a vaccine and improving therapeutic outcomes.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that HIV recruits cellular miRNA to control viral RNA translation, allowing the virus to remain dormant. Manipulating miRNA's inhibitory effect on HIV may lead to new treatment strategies against the virus.
A study of HIV-infected women found that pregnancy can actually slow disease progression, not accelerate it. The use of HAART during pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of transmitting the virus to the child, and pregnant women tend to have lower risks of disease progression before and after pregnancy.
A new systematic review found that 'abstinence-plus' programs, which present safer sex as an option when abstinence fails, can increase abstinence, condom use, and reduce unprotected sex among North American youth. The study also suggests limited evidence of reduced pregnancy rates among teenage girls.
Research finds that biological and demographic causes, such as anal sex and role versatility, contribute significantly to high HIV prevalence in gay men. Gay men need to reduce unprotected sex rates by several times that of straight men to end the epidemic
A new UCLA study reveals that unstable lifestyles and lack of organization in HIV patients' lives can act as a barrier to regular medical care. The researchers developed a six-item scale to gauge the level of chaos in an adult's life, which found those with more chaos scored higher on the scale and had lower mental health status.
Research found a significant association between decreased platelet count and the development of HIV-associated dementia. Platelet decline was linked to a two-fold increased risk of dementia within six to 12 months after baseline values.
A UCLA/RAND study found that more than half of children with an HIV-infected parent are not consistently in that parent's custody. Children of HIV-infected parents face risks for behavioral and emotional problems, highlighting the need for stable homes to cope with HIV effects.
A new UCLA study found that up to one-fourth of HIV-positive patients in Los Angeles reported feeling stigmatized by their healthcare providers, leading to low access to care and delayed treatment. The perception of stigma was linked to higher odds of reporting low access to care, with significant consequences for patient outcomes.
A study in Kabul found alarmingly high rates of risky injecting and sexual behaviors among injection drug users, with 50% sharing syringes and 76% engaging in paid sex. The incidence of Hepatitis C infection was also high, potentially foreshadowing an increase in HIV rates.
Researchers found that HIV reduced population growth in worst-affected areas by two-thirds, but the overall population continues to grow, with a higher crude death rate and lower birth rate in the presence of HIV.
A new study found that 1 in 20 North Carolina men who have sex with men reported using crystal methamphetamine, increasing the risk of spreading HIV and other STDs. Meth use is associated with inconsistent condom use, STD infection, HIV positivity, and erectile dysfunction treatment.
The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine has been awarded a $16 million grant to establish the Pittsburgh Center for HIV Protein Interactions, which will investigate the life cycle of HIV. Researchers at the center will use advanced technologies to identify key virus-host interactions and develop new drug targets.
HIV denialists are spreading misinformation about HIV/AIDS, which can have severe consequences. The scientific community has established that HIV is the cause of AIDS, but denialist groups continue to promote false ideas, putting people at risk of infection and seeking ineffective treatments.
Researchers found that heavy alcohol consumption is associated with lower CD4 cell counts and faster HIV disease progression in HIV-infected persons who are not on antiretroviral therapy. The study suggests that abstaining from alcohol use may decrease the risk of disease progression for these individuals.
A observational cohort study from Côte d'Ivoire found that antiretroviral therapy according to WHO recommendations prevents mother-to-child HIV transmission. The study's findings support the WHO's guidelines for preventing perinatal and postnatal HIV transmission in West Africa.
The Internet platform is being exploited by HIV denialists to spread false information about the virus, posing risks to both uninfected and infected individuals. The scientific consensus confirms that HIV causes AIDS, yet denying this fact can lead to distrust of authority and adoption of ineffective treatments.
A study published in the Journal of Women's Health found that few older women with significant risk factors for lifetime exposure to HIV showed interest in being tested. The study, which analyzed data from 514 women aged 50-95, found that only 22% of participants expressed interest in HIV testing.
Researchers emphasize the importance of considering human rights in healthcare practices, citing examples such as HIV-testing in low-income countries. They also highlight concerns about delegated government roles to non-state actors, who often lack accountability.
Researchers genetically modified a plant to halt reproduction of cauliflower mosaic virus, which attacks the same protein complex used by HIV. The plant's protein complex involves two genes that can be blocked to prevent viral replication.
A new UC Irvine study suggests that co-infection of multiple HIV particles may be the key to preventing deadly strains from emerging and triggering the onset of AIDS. By blocking this process, scientists might be able to ward off AIDS, keeping patients healthy despite carrying the virus.
Research suggests that tonsils may facilitate oral HIV transmission through their unique gene expression profiles, which include higher levels of immune function-related genes and lower levels of antiviral proteins. This makes the tonsil tissue more permeable to pathogens, increasing its vulnerability to infection.
A US anti-prostitution pledge restricts funding for HIV programs that support decriminalization or legalization of sex work, hindering global HIV control efforts. Empowering sex workers through organization and unionization can be an effective HIV prevention strategy.
A recent study suggests that adult male circumcision could help prevent HIV transmission in the US, particularly among heterosexual couples. However, the effectiveness of circumcision in reducing HIV risk among men who have sex with men (MSM) is uncertain due to limited data and potential biases.
Three clinical trials in Africa found that adult male circumcision reduced HIV transmission by 51-60%. However, the impact on US populations is uncertain due to differing modes of transmission and circumcision prevalence. The CDC suggests considering circumcision as an additional prevention measure for high-risk men.
Researchers found that HIV protease inhibitors block an enzyme crucial for generating the structural scaffolding of the cell nucleus. This leads to an accumulation of prelamin A and causes disease phenotypes similar to those associated with genetic defects in ZMPSTE24.
Scientists studied SIVs in African green monkeys, finding a recent split that may have led to reduced virulence. This discovery sheds light on the potential course and timing of HIV evolution.
Researchers have developed an induction-maintenance treatment strategy that balances viral suppression with minimal harm to patients. The model suggests six to ten months of induction therapy can achieve durable suppression of HIV, making it a promising approach for eradicating resistant viruses.
Researchers analyze success of HIV entry inhibitors, highlighting need for new classes due to increasing resistance and toxicity concerns. The study concludes that blocking HIV entry by fusion inhibitors and coreceptor antagonists holds major promise for developing a new antiretroviral drug class.
Scientists have discovered how the HIV virus evades the human immune system, revealing a predictable pattern of mutations that can inform the design of an effective vaccine. The study's findings hold tremendous promise for global HIV efforts and could complement smaller functional studies with population-based approaches.
A new UCLA AIDS Institute study found that self-monitoring by HIV-positive patients is an effective strategy to reduce high-risk behavior. By answering questions about their sexual behavior, patients reflected on their own behavior and changed their actions.
A new study found no correlation between conflict and increased HIV prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa, contradicting a common belief. In fact, the prevalence of HIV infection decreased in urban areas affected by conflict, and refugees often had lower rates than their host communities.
Penn researchers have developed a new method for screening drug-resistant forms of HIV that analyzes multiple HIV variants simultaneously, while also reducing time and costs. The technique uses DNA bar coding and pyrosequencing to quantify and characterize hundreds of thousands of HIV variants for drug resistance in a single test.
In two Thai prisons, Médecins Sans Frontières successfully delivered HIV prevention and treatment programs, showing comparable clinical outcomes with other settings. Meanwhile, research highlights the need for increased surveillance and efforts to address escalating road traffic injuries in Africa.
amfAR is funding research projects to better understand the social and biological factors that influence HIV treatment. Studies will explore the potential benefits of maraviroc, a new antiretroviral drug, and examine how stigma affects healthcare quality for people with HIV.
A recent study found that treating hepatitis B patients with the drug entecavir can cause those co-infected with HIV to become resistant to two key anti-HIV drugs. Researchers identified a mutant strain of HIV that developed in one patient, rendering it resistant to lamivudine and emtricitabine.
Researchers used genome sequencing to detect rare viral mutations and found that low-frequency resistant HIV strains can lead to premature therapy failure. The study aimed to determine if patients who fail treatment early were initially infected with drug-resistant strains.
A retrospective study identified rare drug-resistant HIV variants in blood samples from an earlier clinical trial using ultra-deep sequencing. The findings suggest that even low-level mutations can lead to early treatment failure, highlighting the need for improved resistance testing methods.
A targeted approach to HIV testing and counseling is more effective in identifying people with HIV and preventing new infections. The study estimates that for the same cost, a targeted program could diagnose over three times as many people with HIV and prevent four times as many new infections compared to the CDC's mass testing plan.
Researchers at USU have developed a new HIV vaccine that induces broad-spectrum neutralizing antibodies, capable of neutralizing all 48 tested strains. The study provides encouraging results for vaccine development, showing the feasibility of eliciting cross-reactive antibodies against multiple viral strains.
Researchers at University of Toronto have discovered how HIV works to counteract the natural defense against malaria in pregnant women. The study found that HIV-infected women lose protective antibodies, making them susceptible to severe anaemia and infant deaths.
In conflict settings, HIV treatment can be effectively delivered with preparedness and contingency measures. A study from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reports similar treatment outcomes to non-conflict settings, highlighting the importance of emergency drug supplies, stockpiling, and educating patients on consistent pill-taking. The ...
A new study found that flash-heating breast milk can successfully inactivate HIV, providing a safe alternative for mothers in resource-poor communities. The technique involves heating the milk in a pan of water over a flame and retains most of its nutritional and antimicrobial properties.
A university-based ED implemented opt-out HIV screening, with 60% of patients agreeing to testing. The study resulted in a low cost per preliminary positive ($1,700) and confirmed cases of HIV infection ($4,900).
A recent Dutch study found that drug users are becoming more cautious when using needles, mainly due to the effective HAART therapy introduced in 1996. This increased caution has led to a significant decrease in HIV and hepatitis C infections among drug users.
Researchers found that HIV patients with regular medical care have better survival rates compared to those without. The study, conducted on 2,619 men with HIV, showed that patients who visited their healthcare provider at least once each quarter had significantly lower risk of dying.
A new study by the Mailman School of PH found that marital sex is a single greatest risk for HIV infection among women worldwide. The study highlights the need for prevention programs that make extramarital sex safer rather than trying to eradicate it.
A new study by UCLA and Rand Corp. reveals that more than half of children with an HIV-infected parent are not consistently in that parent's custody. This finding can help physicians better address the needs of families affected by HIV.
Researchers explore how religious leaders and congregations respond to HIV/AIDS, with a focus on the impact on black church communities. The study aims to identify existing support groups and reveal how social networks can increase self-worth and prolong lives.
A new mouse model of HIV-related dementia shows that green tea extract EGCG reduces neurotoxicity of proteins secreted by HIV. The study suggests a potential natural compound for preventing and treating the devastating disease.
A community survey of gay men in London, Manchester, and Brighton found that nearly one-third of HIV-positive men reported having unprotected sex, while almost one-fifth of HIV-negative men also engaged in this behavior. The study highlights the need for renewed efforts to boost HIV diagnosis and curb risk behaviors.
The HIV Medicine Association strongly opposes The Gambia's use of an unproven herbal remedy for treating HIV/AIDS. The organization urges patients to resume taking their prescribed antiretroviral medications, which have been shown to save lives in Africa.
A recent study monitored the reproductive health of adolescent girls perinatally infected with HIV, revealing a higher than expected rate of cervical abnormalities. Nearly half of the girls had abnormal cervical cells, highlighting the need for targeted prevention strategies.
Researchers are exploring the effectiveness of telephone support groups for older adults with HIV. A new four-year study aims to test the benefits of this approach in treating depression and other mental health issues among seniors with HIV.
A natural ingredient in human blood has been identified as an effective blocker of HIV-1, the virus responsible for AIDS. The peptide, VIRIP, targets a conserved region in the viral envelope and remains effective against drug-resistant strains.
A new class of anti-HIV drugs has proven effective in a clinical trial by inhibiting the integrase enzyme, leading to a significant drop in HIV RNA levels and an increase in CD4 cells. The study suggests that this drug could become an important component of combination treatment regimens for heavily pretreated patients.
A new MUHC-led study reveals the oral fluid-based OraQuick HIV1/2 test to be 100% accurate and a patient-preferred choice for HIV testing in rural India. The test demonstrated higher accuracy than traditional blood tests, with minimal discomfort during sample collection.