Research on HIV epidemiology and control. Covers prevention policy, HIV-substance use links, TB co-treatment, and clearing infection in newborns.
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.
A new antiretroviral drug darunavir has been shown to be highly effective in treating HIV when used in conjunction with a boosting dose of the existing drug ritonavir. The study found that 61% of patients taking the new drug achieved a ten-fold drop in HIV RNA levels, compared to just 15% of those on the control group.
A RAND Corporation study reveals that people with stronger religious ties are less likely to spread HIV. The study found that moral beliefs and faith community membership may play a crucial role in reducing high-risk behaviors.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that a weakened rabies virus can ferry HIV-related proteins into animals, vaccinating them against an AIDS-like disease. After two years of challenge with SIV/HIV viruses, vaccinated non-human primates showed protection from disease and high CD4 cell counts.
Research suggests that exclusive breastfeeding significantly lowers a baby's risk of postnatal infection with HIV. In contrast, introducing animal milks and solid foods before 14 weeks increases the risk. The study's findings warrant a revision of current infant-feeding guidelines.
A new study published in PLoS Medicine found that community-based peer education, free condom distribution, and clinic-based STI treatment services targeting high-risk individuals had no effect on HIV incidence in the wider community. However, these measures did reduce HIV-1 incidence among men who participated in the program.
A new study reveals that up to 1 in 10 infected infants may survive into late childhood or early adolescence without diagnosis or treatment. Late diagnosis can significantly affect their future health and long-term survival, emphasizing the need for accessible and sympathetic HIV testing and treatment services.
A new assay allows simultaneous detection of individual proteins and their interactions in living cells, enabling researchers to monitor protein expression and interaction networks. This breakthrough method has the potential to develop novel antiviral factors and therapies for infectious diseases and cancers.
A study published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases found that early HIV infections account for nearly half of all transmission occurrences. Early infection is characterized by a high viral load, making newly infected individuals highly infectious.
A study by UCLA researchers found that only 41% of primary care providers offered advice on sexually transmitted infections or safe sex, while 36% had offered more than 20 HIV tests. The study suggests that providers are testing patients who present with symptoms rather than proactively offering early detection.
A Johns Hopkins study reveals that entecavir can lead to cross-resistance with other antiviral drugs used to treat HIV. The findings have serious implications for co-infected patients who may not be aware of the risks.
Two trials found HIV acquisition rates to be 53% and 51% lower in circumcised men compared to uncircumcised men in Kenya and Uganda, respectively. The Lancet published the findings on adult male circumcision as a prevention strategy for HIV.
A clinical trial enrolling over 2,700 uncircumcised men found that circumcision reduced the risk of acquiring HIV by 53% compared to uncircumcised men. The study's results suggest that circumcision can be an effective addition to other prevention and reproductive health services in sub-Saharan Africa.
Data collected from voluntary HIV counselling and testing clinics in Africa are biased and unreliable, making them unsuitable for HIV surveillance. A better approach would be to use community-based surveys like Demographic and Health Surveys that inquire about testing history and sexual behavior.
Researchers have generated an atomic-level picture of a stable HIV surface protein component that appears vulnerable to attack from the b12 antibody. This finding could help develop an HIV vaccine capable of eliciting a robust antibody response.
QUT scientists have developed advanced ceramic membranes for nanofiltration that can remove viruses from water, air, and blood. The technology has the potential to filter out HIV from blood, saving millions of lives.
A mathematical model created by researchers shows that South African migration played a major role in the spread of HIV, increasing high-risk sexual behavior among migrant men and their partners. Without migration, peak HIV prevalence would be less than 5 percent.
In a randomized placebo-controlled trial, patients smoking cannabis experienced a 34 percent reduction in intense foot pain associated with HIV—twice the rate experienced by patients who smoked placebo. This study provides evidence for the therapeutic value of cannabis in managing HIV-associated sensory neuropathy.
A study of 32 African adolescents reveals long-standing HIV infection leads to stunted growth, chronic ill health and organ damage. Early testing and care can prevent this, highlighting the need for reduced barriers.
A new compound, 2-5AN6B, has shown significant promise in inhibiting HIV replication in white blood cells from HIV-infected patients. The compound works by a different mechanism than current drugs, reducing the risk of mutation and improving treatment effectiveness.
A Johns Hopkins study found that 31% of HIV-positive patients in Uganda had HIV dementia, a rate that challenges Alzheimer's and stroke dementia globally. The condition is treatable and potentially reversible with antiretroviral medication.
A study found that selenium supplements increased blood selenium levels and suppressed HIV viral load in patients with HIV. The results suggest that selenium may be a safe and inexpensive adjunct therapy to conventional pharmacotherapy.
A review of government policy is needed to increase HIV testing uptake in the UK. Lucy Frith argues that new technologies, antiretroviral therapy, and patient autonomy make self-testing safer and more effective.
A new UCLA study warns that the World Health Organization's (WHO) plan to track transmitted HIV drug resistance in Botswana may not be effective due to a high detection threshold. The researchers suggest revising the threshold to around 3 percent to detect resistance earlier and provide more accurate information on the situation in Bot...
Researchers at Princeton University have found a specific genetic trigger that can deactivate the HIV virus, potentially leading to new treatments. The trigger, involving an enzyme called SirT1, can keep the virus in its dormant phase, reducing its ability to replicate.
Researchers found that starting HIV treatment at least six months after a single dose of nevirapine during labor improves response rates. Women who started treatment sooner had reduced effectiveness of ART, while those delayed had comparable outcomes to placebo group.
Researchers developed a sensitive test for identifying drug-resistant strains of HIV in patients' bloodstreams. The test detects genetic changes that predict potential drug resistance, enabling personalized treatment guidance.
A new study proposes that HIV regulates latency by introducing a resistor into its main transcriptional activator, Tat. The model suggests that this simple switch acts as a 'feedback resistor' to prevent stray transcription and maintain dormancy.
Research reveals that nearly one-fourth of people with HIV have metabolic syndrome, characterized by low HDL cholesterol and hypertriglyceridemia. HAART users also show increased risk for components of metabolic syndrome, highlighting the need for healthcare providers to monitor risk factors.
Recent studies have made significant advancements in understanding HIV, bacterial quorum sensing, and cancer treatment. Researchers have discovered innovative strategies to combat HIV resistance and develop novel genetic circuits for industrial applications.
A study of 332 HIV-infected patients found that those with high viral loads were at increased risk of surgical complications, including pneumonia. The researchers also found that patients with low CD4 cell counts had more complications than those with higher counts.
A study published in Nature Medicine found that targeting specific HIV proteins can lead to effective control of the virus. Researchers suggest that a more targeted vaccine approach may be necessary.
A randomized controlled trial conducted in Kenya demonstrates that male circumcision significantly reduces the risk of acquiring HIV, with a 53% reduction in new infections among circumcised men. The study, funded by CIHR, provides conclusive evidence supporting the use of circumcision as an important HIV prevention strategy.
A new study published in BMC Medicine found that HIV prevalence in Andhra Pradesh's Guntur district is 1.72%, significantly lower than the official estimate of 4.3% for the entire country. The study estimated 45,900 individuals with HIV in Guntur district, highlighting potential overestimation of HIV burden in India.
A new study by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and the University of Washington found that malaria increases HIV transmission to sex partners by up to 10 times. HIV-infected individuals are also more susceptible to malaria infections due to their compromised immune systems, fueling a rise in adult malaria-infection rates.
Researchers found that HIV-1 infection leads to the loss of immune cells in the gut, which may never return to normal levels. A subset of patients showed only half the normal number of CD4+ effector memory T cells in their GI tracts despite effective antiretroviral therapy.
A study of 119 physician groups found that integrated medical groups delivered higher quality care on four of six measures than individual practice associations. Routine, voluntary rapid HIV testing for all adults, except those with low prevalence, is cost-effective and supported by the CDC recommendation.
A recent study by researchers at Yale University found that routine HIV screening in virtually all health settings is cost-effective and saves lives. The study provides strong support for the US CDC guidelines recommending HIV screening of all persons aged 13-64 in all healthcare settings.
A new approach to HIV prevention focuses on reducing partners, with early evidence from Uganda and Kenya showing a decline in HIV incidence among men. The strategy is seen as a crucial step towards reversing the epidemic, particularly in regions where partner reduction has been successful.
A systematic review of HIV medication adherence factors reveals common barriers in both developed and developing countries, as well as unique challenges in resource-constrained settings. Facilitators of adherence include having a sense of self-worth, simplicity of regimens, and reminder tools, but no such facilitators were identified i...
The African-American community is facing a disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS, with over half of all new diagnoses among this group. The National Minority AIDS Council recommends five policy solutions to address this disparity, including eliminating stigma against black MSM and reducing the role of injection drug use in sustaining the...
A new study indicates that boosted Invirase results in comparable levels of viral suppression as lopinavir, while also reducing the risk of elevated cholesterol and triglycerides. The treatment also showed fewer gastrointestinal adverse events compared to lopinavir.
A study by Yale researchers found that extensively drug resistant TB is prevalent among HIV co-infected patients in South Africa, with high mortality rates reported. The study suggests urgent intervention is necessary to address this global health issue, which threatens the success of TB and HIV treatment programs.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School Medicine have successfully tested a new gene therapy vector that inhibits HIV replication. The treatment, called VRX496, has shown promising results in reducing viral loads and improving immune function in patients with chronic HIV infection.
A Phase I study of novel gene therapy VRX496 for HIV treatment found five patients experienced decreases in viral load and stable or increased CD4 T cell counts after receiving the treatment. The trial also demonstrated the treatment's potential to restore normal immune function against other infections.
Researchers have determined the APOBEC-3G protein structure, providing key insights into its role in the immune system and potential as a drug target. The study suggests that editing errors introduced by A3G can help defend against HIV, and future drugs may be designed to replicate this natural protection.
Two researchers argue that there is no conclusive evidence to support the link between HIV stigma and the global epidemic. Instead, they suggest that stigma may help slow the spread of the disease by reducing opportunities for contact between high- and low-risk groups.
A study by UCLA researchers found that HIV-infected individuals without consistent outpatient medical care are disproportionately minorities, the poor, and substance abusers. These groups are more likely to receive acute care rather than routine medical services.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have identified a cell line resistant to retroviruses, including HIV, which is able to withstand infection and attack by the virus. This discovery provides a potential new target for developing more effective drugs to combat HIV and AIDS.
Researchers found that competition among T cells allows HIV to escape destruction and develop into full-blown AIDS. A new computer model suggests a polytopic vaccination strategy to combat this effect, which may prevent the final onset of AIDS by reducing immunodominance.
A team of researchers has identified a specific protein segment within the GBV-C viral protein NS5A that strongly inhibits HIV from replicating in cells grown in labs. This finding builds on earlier work showing that people with HIV who are also infected with GBV-C live longer than those infected only with HIV.
Experimental drugs show promise against neuroAIDS, a growing concern despite best antivirals. New grant aims to protect brain from HIV-related nerve damage using compounds that counter toxins and reduce inflammation.
Duke University researchers developed a computer model to predict the effectiveness of various microbicidal recipes in destroying HIV before it reaches body tissues. The study found that a thin coating of microbicide delivered to the vagina can significantly reduce HIV transmission.
Research suggests that HIV RNA levels have limited value in predicting CD4 cell count decrease and may not be a reliable marker for disease progression. The study found that only 4-6% of the rate of CD4 cell decline can be explained by presenting plasma HIV RNA level.
Chronic binge drinking in rhesus macaques accelerated SIV disease progression, increasing time to AIDS and viral loads. The study suggests that early treatment is crucial for reducing alcohol use and extending life among HIV-infected individuals.
Researchers argue that Uganda's dramatic decline in HIV rates was partly due to the 'ABC' approach, which included policies to advance women's status. However, critics counter that the approach assumes unrealistic social circumstances for young women, putting them at risk of exploitation and ignorance.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have discovered that HIV requires a specific human protein, LEDGF/p75, to integrate into the human genome. The study found that disrupting this connection could lead to new therapies for HIV or safer gene therapy methods.
A Swedish HIV vaccine trial has shown that over 90% of subjects developed an immune response to HIV after receiving the vaccine, demonstrating a high level of protection against the virus. The study's results are promising and could lead to further clinical trials in Africa.