Articles tagged with Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Researchers at UC San Diego found a steep rise in HIV incidence among people who inject drugs in Tijuana, driven by undiminished drug tourism. The rate of infection is 11 times higher than in San Diego residents who do not cross the border.
A new study by CUNY SPH researchers estimates that nearly 40% of children living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa are undiagnosed, highlighting the urgent need for improved pediatric testing coverage. The study found that only 55% of children on ART had suppressed viral loads, underscoring the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
A study of continuous monthly mortality data found that excess deaths associated with COVID-19 reached greater peaks than most other periods of excess deaths since 1918. The relative excess of deaths in 2020 was 12.5% in Switzerland, 8.5% in Sweden, and 17.3% in Spain.
A Phase 1 clinical trial conducted by University of Minnesota researchers demonstrates the safety and efficacy of a novel immunotherapy drug in treating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Participants showed a significant decrease in HIV-infected cells in their blood for up to six months following treatment.
Researchers found that cancer immunotherapy pembrolizumab can reverse HIV latency, allowing killer T cells to regain function and kill infected cells. The treatment, which blocks exhaustion markers, also perturbs the HIV reservoir, showing promise for a cure.
A recent survey by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers found that about 22% of young sexual minority males and transgender females engage in transactional sex. The practice is associated with HIV exposure, substance use disorder, and unstable housing. Researchers plan to develop interventions to address economic and social vulnerabilities.
A meta-analysis of 87 surveys from 35 African countries found that nearly one in ten sexually active men have paid for sex and are 50% more likely to be living with HIV. Men who pay for sex should be recognized as a priority population for HIV prevention efforts.
Researchers at FAU are developing an affordable, disposable self-testing HIV-1 chip that can detect HIV from whole blood samples and measure viral load without refrigeration or skilled technicians. The technology aims to increase access to HIV testing and improve treatment outcomes in any setting.
A UCLA-led team has improved a method to kill HIV-infected cells, using natural killer cells to target and eliminate them. The approach could lead to reducing or eliminating the virus from infected individuals who rely on medication.
Research found marked decreases in orphanhood, especially double orphanhood, among adolescents in Rakai, Uganda, corresponding with the rise of antiretroviral therapy and male medical circumcision. The study suggests that HIV combination prevention reduces mortality among adults and orphanhood among their adolescent children.
Research reveals that HIV-positive individuals with cocaine addiction struggle to withhold behavioral responses due to distinct brain activity patterns. This finding highlights the need for targeted interventions to address dual diagnosis in recovery programs.
Researchers discovered that HIV chooses its viral RNA genome based on a two-nucleotide difference, which could be targeted by new drugs. This finding has implications for future HIV treatments and is an important scientific step towards understanding the virus's replication process.
A new study by Kaiser Permanente researchers has found that people with HIV are at higher risk of developing heart failure than those without the condition. The study identified significant differences in heart failure risk among various demographics, including age, sex, and ethnicity.
Researchers will test four interventions to determine which combinations are most effective at helping people who inject drugs and who are HIV positive to suppress their viral load. Strategies include patient navigators, psychological therapy, methadone treatment, and educational sessions.
A novel mRNA-based HIV vaccine has been shown to be safe and elicit desired immune responses in mice and non-human primates. The vaccine prompted a 79% lower per-exposure risk of infection by simian-human immunodeficiency virus compared to unvaccinated animals.
A new study links the composition of gut microbiome before infection to HIV susceptibility and progression. Men who contracted HIV in the early days of the pandemic had a greater relative abundance of pro-inflammatory vs. anti-inflammatory gut microbes, which contributed to their increased risk of developing AIDS.
A recent study published in lambda nordica suggests that recognizing the psychological, social, and physical effects of shame on HIV patients is crucial for enhancing their medical treatment. The research argues that healthcare workers should be more aware of how shame contributes to poor health outcomes, particularly in individuals wi...
A digital pill system has been found to be a feasible and accurate intervention for tracking HIV prevention pill adherence, with 98% accuracy. The system uses radiofrequency transmitters and wearable reader devices to track pill ingestion, providing a novel solution for individuals with low compliance.
A study of HIV-positive black and Latino men found that methamphetamine use combined with intimate partner violence boosts inflammatory and antiviral genes, leading to immune system exhaustion. This combination may increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and other disorders.
A recent study found that 19.9% of trans feminine individuals and 2.56% of trans masculine individuals were HIV positive, highlighting the need for targeted prevention efforts. The researchers called for increased focus on this population's unique needs.
Scientists have identified transcription factor RORC2 as a key player in HIV infection, allowing the virus to persist in immune cells. Inhibiting RORC2 using small molecules can limit viral expansion and prevent replication in healthy individuals and those with HIV.
A new study demonstrates the effectiveness of training nurses to deliver cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help people with depression and uncontrolled HIV adhere to their medication regimen. Patients who completed CBT-AD sessions were more than 2.5 times more likely to achieve undetectable viral loads.
An international study has revealed that COVID-19 vaccination rates among people living with HIV are similar to those in the general population, but vary significantly across geographic regions. The overall vaccination rate was found to be 55%, with higher rates in high-income countries and lower rates in Sub-Saharan Africa.
A large observational cohort study of 134,672 people with HIV found significant disparities in the uptake of dolutegravir, a preferred HIV medication, among women of reproductive age. Only 29% of female patients aged 16-49 years had initiated dolutegravir, compared to 58% of male patients.
The US HIV treatment population is projected to increase by 36% by 2030, with older adults making up nearly a quarter of users. The population is expected to shift towards more older age groups, with nearly one in four people with HIV aged 65 or older by 2030.
According to a new study funded by NIH, adults with HIV are making progress toward the global target of 95% viral suppression, but children and adolescents are not. The researchers estimated that among adults, 79% were virally suppressed after one year of treatment, while among children and adolescents, only 64% reached this milestone.
Researchers found that video-based, telehealth-delivered exercise and weight loss programs improved pain and function in people with knee osteoarthritis and overweight or obesity. The intervention with dietary component led to substantial weight loss and additional benefits.
A systematic literature review found HIV seroprevalence in five key populations: men who have sex with men (MSM), people who inject drugs (PWID), prisoners, sex workers, and transgender people. The review identified significant gaps in data, particularly for transgender individuals.
A new study published in PLOS Global Public Health has mapped the distance to HIV care services in sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting that 7 million people live more than 10 minutes away and 3 million people live more than 30 minutes away. The research aims to develop cost-effective policies for HIV interventions in underserved areas.
A University of California, Riverside-led study found that deafness is a significant barrier to accessing health care and resources for deaf individuals living with HIV. The research highlights the need for improved communication, cultural competency, and accessibility in healthcare services to support aging deaf people with HIV.
Early antiretroviral therapy reduces skin and mucosal cancers in HIV patients by preserving tissue-resident memory T cells. Prompt treatment also improves the immune response, reducing the risk of HPV-associated cancers.
A team of researchers has solved the structure of the HIV capsid alone and in complex with host factors using a novel approach. The breakthrough could lead to the development of capsid-targeting antivirals, providing new hope for those affected by HIV/AIDS.
Researchers have identified a second person living with HIV who appears to have rid themselves of the virus, with no intact HIV genomes found in over 1.19 billion blood cells and 500 million tissue cells sequenced. This finding may represent a sterilizing cure for people with HIV who cannot achieve this on their own.
Researchers found that activated neutrophils release proteins like galectin-9, triggering chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. Early screening for HIV is crucial, and finding ways to reduce negative effects of the infection could be key to improving outcomes.
A new study found that healthcare providers hold less favorable judgments about patients who inject drugs, leading to potential lack of access to preventive HIV medication. The study highlights the importance of raising awareness and standardizing access to PrEP for all people, regardless of their risk factors.
Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine identified the anterior insula's role in predicting and emotionally processing pain in HIV-DSP patients. The study suggests that reduced anterior insula activity or increased cingulate activity may improve pain outcomes for these patients.
Researchers found that one person relied on high levels of immune cells to control the virus, while another used strong neutralizing antibodies. This study may lead to the development of new treatments to help people with HIV put the virus into remission without taking lifelong medication.
A randomized controlled trial found that adding genotypic resistance testing to routine care didn't improve virologic suppression among HIV patients with first-line antiretroviral therapy failure in public-sector clinics in Uganda and South Africa. The findings highlight the need for effective interventions for persons with virologic f...
A new study found that infants with high levels of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) against their mother's strain of HIV are less likely to get infected through breastfeeding. The study also showed that ADCC is more effective than neutralizing antibodies in protecting infants against HIV transmission and improving outcomes.
A cross-sectional study found that recent commencement of ART, late HIV stage, and alcohol use are associated with high-risk sexual behavior among HIV patients. The study suggests prioritizing intervention strategies for these individuals to mitigate risky behaviors in HIV-endemic environments.
Researchers found that optimizing energy metabolism through autophagy can improve the immune system response in HIV-affected cells, providing a potential therapeutic approach. This metabolic optimization enables CD4 lymphocytes to better defend against HIV-1 by secreting IL-21, a key protein in defense against the virus.
A team of scientists from the University of Pittsburgh and National Cancer Institute discovered why HIV is rarely the direct cause of cancer. The research found that it requires a specific series of events involving changes in HIV and additional mutations in human genes, resulting in T cell lymphomas. However, the occurrence is rare, a...
A study found that awareness and knowledge of PrEP differ by setting, with lower knowledge in rural Illinois compared to New York City. Despite this, willingness and uptake of PrEP were similar in both urban and rural settings.
Researchers at Bielefeld University argue that stigmatization prevented lessons from the HIV pandemic from being adopted by broader parts of society. This has consequences for dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. The study highlights the importance of including marginalized groups' perspectives in research to learn from their experiences.
Researchers used exosomes to deliver a novel anti-HIV protein into infected mouse cells, silencing HIV replication and reducing its presence in the bone marrow, spleen, and brain. The treatment shows promise for future delivery methods for HIV and other brain diseases.
Scientists at City of Hope and Griffith University developed a novel anti-HIV protein called ZPAMt that can suppress HIV levels in the bone marrow, spleen, and brain of mice. The protein is delivered using exosomes, nanosized parts of cells that can reach difficult-to-access areas of the body.
A study found that the ability to lose control over HIV is linked to a decrease in proliferative and cytolytic ability of immune cells, years before actual virus loss. In contrast to other infections, T cell dysfunction here impairs their response only to HIV.
West Virginia University researcher Judith Feinberg is integrating services for opioid use disorder, the hepatitis C virus and HIV in 20 primary care clinics across the state. The project aims to address the intertwined opioid and HIV epidemics through efficient and comprehensive care.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that people living with HIV are at a higher risk of sudden cardiac death compared to those without the virus. The study analyzed data from over 144,000 veterans and found that 26% of those who died from sudden cardiac death had HIV.
A Kaiser Permanente study found strong adherence to HIV-prevention drug therapy soon after prescription, but inconsistent use among vulnerable groups. The study suggests that targeted strategies are needed to support the effective use of PrEP in high-risk populations.
The APPLI study aims to assess the perceptions and preferences of people living with HIV on long-acting injectable antiretroviral therapies. The study will explore how to support adherence and integrate these therapies into Ryan White HIV care settings, potentially improving health outcomes for those struggling with daily oral medicati...
A randomized trial found that a shorter course of rifapentine-isoniazid therapy resulted in significantly higher treatment completion rates compared to a longer daily course. The findings suggest that this regimens can be more effective for preventing tuberculosis disease in individuals with HIV, particularly in high-transmission areas.
A new strategy to improve viral suppression among people living with HIV in NYC has been awarded a 5-year, $3.3 million grant. The D2S intervention aims to bolster medication adherence by delivering client-level viral suppression status reports and targeted capacity-building.
A new strategy for curing HIV targets latent viruses by blocking and excising the virus, offering hope for patients to be taken off daily treatments. The HOPE Collaboratory's approach uses genome editing technology to destroy latent HIV.
A new epidemiology study reveals crucial trends in HIV/AIDS progression in China from 1990 to 2017. The study highlights the need for effective strategies to reduce mortality rates, especially among men, by intensifying targeted efforts including early identification and diagnosis, high-quality treatment services, and patient retention.
A new study found that states with low initial use of HIV-prevention drugs continue to fall behind in usage among people at risk for the disease. Researchers urge federal and state governments to close gaps by implementing successful policies from early-adopting states, such as telehealth programs and expanding Medicaid.
A University of Miami researcher has discovered a polymer chain nanoparticle that can deliver antiretroviral drugs to the brain, reducing HIV/AIDS viral reservoirs. The breakthrough could improve the treatment of brain cancers and other diseases, particularly in HIV-positive individuals with neurological problems.
A new study found that only 7% of patients who switched from Truvada to Descovy had a documented clinical reason for doing so, highlighting the need for cost-effective PrEP options. The significant price difference between the two medications may be a major barrier to broad and equitable PrEP use in the US.
Researchers in New Delhi identified a network of 2,512 people who inject drugs, revealing the importance of social interactions and spatial connections on disease transmission. The study found that injecting at popular venues increased HIV and hepatitis C infection risk, and indirect networks also played a significant role.
The NIH has renewed grants for seven regional IeDEA centers, awarding $20.8 million in funding to analyze health data from over 2 million people with HIV. The program aims to accelerate progress toward ending the pandemic by addressing local, national, and global questions about illness and death in people with HIV.