Articles tagged with Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Gladstone researchers have discovered a molecular mechanism that boosts the 'noise' of gene expression in stem cells, accelerating their ability to differentiate into other cell types. The DiThR pathway involves a DNA repair process that increases noise across the genome, making cells more responsive to signals guiding their fate.
A global consensus statement identifies key issues in healthcare for people living with HIV, prioritizing multimorbidity, health-related quality of life, and stigma reduction. The panel recommends new monitoring processes and guidelines to ensure the long-term well-being of millions worldwide.
A study found that adolescent girls and young women in Africa consistently used daily oral PrEP and monthly dapivirine vaginal ring to prevent HIV. The results exceeded expectations, with 97% of participants using the products, indicating high acceptability and adherence.
A study reveals that highly mutated SARS-CoV-2 can emerge in people living with advanced HIV if they cannot clear the virus through effective antiretroviral therapy. This increases the risk of severe disease and potentially more potent variants.
An 83-year-old man was diagnosed with HIV after experiencing fever and weight loss. He was treated with antiretroviral therapy and achieved an undetectable viral load. The case highlights the importance of targeting older adults for HIV testing, as they are often diagnosed late and at higher risk of death.
Dr. Linda Chang's award-winning project aims to eradicate all traces of HIV from the body and treat co-existing substance use disorders using a multi-disciplinary approach. The team will utilize gene-editing technology, CRISPR, and an MRI-guided focused ultrasound system to target hidden reservoirs of virus in the brain's immune cells.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that nearly half of people living with HIV have coronary artery plaque, even those considered at low-to-moderate risk. The plaque was linked to increased arterial inflammation and immune system activation, independent of traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors.
A prospective cohort study found that treatment at an infusion center is associated with substantially better outcomes than treatment in the emergency department for patients with sickle cell disease. Patients treated in ICs received parenteral pain medication faster and were more likely to have their pain reassessed within 30 minutes.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that the University of Cincinnati's screening program contributed to a 20% increase in new HIV diagnoses among persons who inject drugs in Hamilton County, Ohio. The program's data was crucial in identifying an outbreak and triggering public health authorities' response.
A recent study by the AIDS Clinical Trials Group found that nearly half of participants had atherosclerotic plaque in their coronary arteries, despite being considered at low-to-moderate risk. The study also revealed an association between plaque presence and higher levels of inflammation independent of traditional risk scores.
Scientists have identified biomarkers that predict HIV remission after antiretroviral therapy (ART) interruption, which could help develop new therapeutic strategies for infection control. These biomarkers provide insights into the biological mechanisms controlling HIV replication and may aid in designing novel cure strategies.
A new study by Penn State College of Medicine reveals that people living with HIV/AIDS are more likely to have suicidal thoughts and die from suicide than the general population. The researchers found that despite medical advancements, the risk of suicide in this population is high.
Researchers argue that a broader application of neutralizing antibodies could be key to developing an effective HIV vaccine and treatment strategy. The study's findings suggest that higher serum titers of infused therapeutic antibody may provide broad protection against various HIV strains.
Researchers have discovered a type of stem cell that can restore the immune system's antiviral response and repair damaged gut lymphoid follicles. The treatment offers a multi-pronged approach to eradicating HIV, complementing current treatments.
Researchers developed an AI-powered app to improve the accuracy of HIV test results, particularly for laypeople. The app achieved 98.9% accuracy in classifying images, reducing errors compared to traditional interpretation.
A team of researchers has designed an intravaginal ring (IVR) that delivers two medications known to decrease HIV transmission. The IVR, which contains a segmented section that releases hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), targets the first line of defence in reducing immune cell activation and buys time for a gene therapy treatment.
A new study by UC San Francisco finds that individuals with HIV are more than twice as likely to die from sudden cardiac death due to fibrosis in the heart. The study also reveals that one-third of sudden deaths initially attributed to cardiac causes were actually caused by drug overdoses.
The AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) is commemorating its 40th anniversary by convening a virtual annual meeting. The group has played a critical role in HIV research for nearly four decades, conducting landmark studies that have changed the treatment and care of people living with HIV around the world.
Researchers used a novel statistical model to estimate new HIV infections among adult MSM in England between 2009 and 2018. The results suggest that testing and treatment strategies have been effective in reducing new infections, with a significant decrease in the number of new infections from 2,770 in 2013 to 854 in 2018.
The AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) has launched A5386, a phase 1 HIV cure study assessing the safety and efficacy of N-803 in conjunction with broadly neutralizing antibodies. The study aims to evaluate the immune system's ability to control HIV reservoirs and virus rebound.
A lab-made monoclonal antibody, leronlimab, has been shown to completely prevent nonhuman primates from being infected with the monkey form of HIV. The results inform a future human clinical trial evaluating leronlimab as a potential pre-exposure prophylaxis therapy.
A new study by Flinders University researchers found that people living with HIV/AIDS face significant discrimination in their families, communities, and even among healthcare providers. This stigma can lead to concealment of the condition, self-isolation, and poor access to healthcare services.
Researchers have found a new four-month antibiotic regimen using rifapentine to be effective in treating TB, reducing the treatment duration by two months. The study showed that patients with HIV also cleared their TB just as well as those without HIV.
A new study at UTHealth aims to reduce HIV incidence among trans women by combining HIV prevention services with gender-affirming care. The combination intervention, supported by peer health navigation, has shown promise in improving mental health outcomes and addressing the unique barriers faced by this population.
A new study finds that adding a small molecule can rip away the cloak shielding HIV-infected immune system cells, making them susceptible to patient's own antibodies. Researchers hope this breakthrough may one day eliminate the need for long-term antiretroviral treatments.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center discovered a new type of anti-glycan antibody that can neutralize HIV by targeting its sugar coating. This breakthrough points to a novel vaccine strategy that could also be used against SARS-CoV-2 and fungal pathogens.
The University of Chicago Medicine's emergency department continued routine HIV screening alongside COVID-19 testing during the pandemic. The number of HIV tests remained at pre-pandemic levels, while the rate of acute HIV diagnoses rose. This successful implementation is attributed to targeted efforts and a strong partnership between ...
The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (JANAC) marks 40 years of nursing science in HIV/AIDS, highlighting lessons learned and ways forward. Nurse researchers lead the way in improving HIV prevention and patient care, particularly for women and minority populations.
Researchers developed a mobile gaming application to improve HIV care for young men living with the virus, achieving viral suppression and near-perfect ART adherence through gamification elements and social networking features. The app was shown to provide a significant head start in controlling the HIV virus.
Researchers at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center are evaluating the impact of a proactive opt-out approach to smoking cessation interventions on people living with HIV. The study aims to refine delivery and implementation strategies to increase tobacco treatment uptake and reduce smoking-related health complications.
A new study reveals African Americans under 45 with CAD have a higher incidence of obesity, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and mental health conditions like depression. These non-traditional risk factors contribute to the complex burden of disease in this patient population.
A Weill Cornell Medicine team found rare variants of the virus in mothers' blood that can escape broadly neutralizing antibodies. These variants are associated with increased transmission risk to infants, suggesting vaccines or treatments need to be effective against them. Researchers propose high-dose combination therapy for pregnant ...
A recent study found dramatic increases in life expectancy for people living with HIV in seven Latin American countries, with a 14-year retrospective analysis of 30,688 individuals. The study reveals significant gains in life expectancy, particularly among women and those with lower HIV transmission risk factors.
A study found that people living with HIV have a two to three times higher noncalcified coronary plaque burden than non-HIV healthy volunteers. Researchers emphasize the importance of adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle for those with HIV.
A study of 30,000 adults living with HIV in Latin America and the Caribbean found significant increases in life expectancy since ART became widely available. The study reveals that life expectancy for people with HIV on ART is now close to that of the general population, mirroring trends seen in higher-income countries.
Researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University develop novel molecules that mimic CD4 proteins, preventing HIV particles from entering immune cells. These compounds show promise in reducing side effects while increasing effectiveness in stopping viral proliferation.
Researchers developed a new test to measure inactive HIV viruses in patients' genes, providing more accurate information on drug effectiveness. This test could help track the size of the HIV reservoir and predict how long it takes to eliminate the virus from the body.
The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting people with or at risk for HIV by interfering with treatment and prevention services, and threatening individual health. Accelerated research on interactions between HIV and SARS-CoV-2 is urgently needed to mitigate the dual pandemics.
A new study finds that people with HIV who experienced intimate partner violence are more likely to engage in riskier behaviors and have poor adherence to HIV treatment. IPV is associated with increased depression, anxiety, and poor clinical outcomes, highlighting the need for screening and supportive services.
A new study found that certain high blood pressure medications prescribed to people with HIV may alter their heart risk, particularly those taking beta-blockers. Researchers suggest ACEi/ARBs and diuretics as safer alternatives.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine discover that widely used diabetes drug metformin suppresses HIV replication in immune cells by inhibiting a key process in their production of chemical energy. This finding suggests that metformin and other drugs reducing T cell metabolism might be useful as adjunct therapies for treating HIV.
A national research project is launching a bundled approach to address socio-cultural health determinants and improve health outcomes for Black women with HIV. The initiative, led by UMass Lowell, will evaluate and disseminate evidence-informed and trauma-informed interventions across 12 sites.
A pilot study published in EBioMedicine found that metformin can improve immune function and reduce viral reservoir size in people living with HIV. The drug, commonly used to treat type-2 diabetes, was well-tolerated by patients and showed beneficial biological effects on colon biopsies.
The AMP trials tested a broadly neutralizing antibody called VRC01, which was effective at preventing the acquisition of HIV strains in sensitive populations. However, results showed that more than one single bnAb is needed to prevent HIV acquisition, highlighting the need for combination monoclonal antibody cocktails.
A cohort study found that switching from TDF to TAF-containing ART was associated with significant weight increases, obesity, and rising blood lipid levels in people living with HIV. The study suggests individualized preference for TAF over TDF should be accompanied by repeated assessment of cardiometabolic risk factors.
A large multicenter cohort study found that individuals switching to TAF therapy gained significantly more weight (1.7 kg) compared to those staying on TDF therapy (0.7 kg). The study also noted a negative development in lipid metabolism with an overall increase in blood lipid levels.
Scientists have identified a promising antibody that can effectively fight HIV-1 by tracing new pathways for vaccine development. The study found that the binding strength of the antibody is directly correlated to its ability to neutralize HIV-1, and researchers discovered genetic mutations that enhance the antibody's potency against d...
A UMass Amherst study found a positive linear relationship between tobacco smoking intensity and duration with inflammation in HIV-positive individuals. The researchers suggest that people living with HIV would benefit from quitting or reducing smoking to lower inflammation levels, which are linked to increased disease risk.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine identified novel transcription factors that influence HIV expression and provided insight into cellular networks controlling activation and repression. Understanding these mechanisms may help target the latent reservoir of virus, allowing for potential treatment advancements.
A recent MHRP study demonstrated that an experimental combination of a TLR7 agonist and broadly neutralizing antibodies delayed viral rebound after ART interruption by 2-fold. This approach may represent a potential strategy to target the HIV reservoir in infected individuals.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki discovered that HIV's Nef protein activates protein kinases, leading to chronic immune activation and disease progression. The study suggests repurposing kinase inhibitors as a new treatment option for patients whose immunodeficiency is not reversed by current therapies.
Scaling up opioid agonist treatment (OAT) to 40% of people who inject drugs could avert between 12-24% of all drug-related deaths, including 13-19% of overdose deaths. Longer treatment durations and prison-based OAT are predicted to have significant additional impact.
A new study examines the effects of COVID-19 on low-income Black and Latino individuals with HIV, revealing successful indigenous coping strategies and gaps in healthcare access. Despite initial disruptions to care, overall engagement in HIV treatment remained relatively stable, highlighting the need for improved telehealth services an...
Researchers found reduced functional connectivity between brain regions in people with HIV and APOE4, leading to poorer memory function. Severe immunosuppression further exacerbated the impact of APOE4 on memory performance.
The opioid and HIV epidemics in West Virginia are deeply interconnected, requiring a comprehensive approach to address both issues simultaneously. Stigma is a significant barrier to combating these epidemics, particularly in rural areas with limited resources.
The University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work research center has received $5 million in funding from Gilead Sciences, Inc. to continue its work combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the South. Led by Assistant Professor Samira Ali, the SUSTAIN Center focuses on improving frontline care and access for marginalized communities.
The HIV epidemic continues to disproportionately affect marginalized groups, particularly in the US South. Experts recommend allocating resources to areas and populations hardest hit by the epidemic to implement targeted interventions and promote HIV prevention and treatment adherence.
The US is failing to address HIV disparities, with racial and sexual minorities disproportionately affected. The epidemic has shifted from coastal areas to the South and rural regions, where women and minorities are more likely to be infected.
Researchers found that older gay men living with HIV reported having supportive relationships with family, friends, or informal partners, whereas those without HIV relied mainly on primary romantic partnerships. The study highlights the importance of social support in managing chronic illness, including HIV.
A new study published in Lancet HIV found that life-long antiviral treatment can prevent viral transmission from mother to baby, offering a promising contribution to the WHO's work on HIV prevention. The results showed up to 90% of women under study had suppressed viral levels for four years after starting Option B+ care.