Research on HIV epidemiology and control. Covers prevention policy, HIV-substance use links, TB co-treatment, and clearing infection in newborns.
A research team at George Washington University is exploring the role of sex hormones in HIV latency and its impact on treatment efficacy. The study aims to develop more effective approaches to a cure for HIV, particularly for women and transgender patients who are disproportionately affected by the virus.
Researchers found that supplementing people with HIV with GlyNAC, a combination of glycine and N-acetylcysteine, improves multiple deficits associated with premature aging. The supplement boosts glutathione levels, a natural antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and helps maintain cellular function.
The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America has updated its guidance for healthcare personnel living with HIV or hepatitis, citing low transmission rates and advances in treatments. The new recommendations aim to protect both patients and healthcare workers while ensuring privacy and health.
Researchers in Lesotho and Switzerland found that combining home visits with HIV self-tests increased test coverage among villagers, particularly young people. The strategy resulted in a 20% higher HIV test rate compared to traditional campaigns.
Researchers recreated HIV infection steps in a test tube, identifying essential components for replication. The study provides an unprecedented view of the virus and its role in infection, shedding light on potential targets for improved treatments.
Researchers found that a majority of HIV-specific T cells can detect and respond to viruses with the capacity to rebound following treatment interruptions. This knowledge could contribute to the development of new treatments against HIV infection. The study suggests that T cells play a crucial role in controlling viral rebound.
The Chicago Center for HIV Elimination has been awarded $5 million to implement a COVID-19 testing project targeting low-income Latinx individuals and those with criminal justice backgrounds. The project will use an evidence-based Social Network Testing Strategy to increase testing rates among these populations.
The Ezintsha study found that newer regimens containing dolutegravir and tenofovir alafenamide demonstrate a large increase in weight, especially in women. The study showed that all three regimens were potent and well-tolerated by patients, but the newer regimens had more side effects and resistance benefits over older regimens.
Researchers have mapped out an atlas of the latent virus reservoir cells of eight individuals living with HIV, challenging previous assumptions about its makeup. The study used a new approach to backtrack reactivated reservoir cells to their original latent state, revealing distinct areas and shared markers across different tissue types.
A recent study found patients with HIV who contract COVID-19 are at higher risk of hospitalization and death due to low immunity. Older adults and those with chronic health issues are particularly vulnerable.
Federal regulations severely limit corneal donations from gay and bisexual men, preventing thousands of potential patients from receiving vision-restoring surgery. A new study finds that the restrictions are not supported by current science and could save thousands of lives.
Researchers have developed a new Dual CAR T cell immunotherapy that targets the HIV reservoir and combats HIV infection in humanized mice. The therapy, which combines two CARs into a single T cell, provides a strong and long-lasting response against HIV-infection while being resistant to the virus itself.
A five-year grant from the National Cancer Institute will support research on cancer prevention and treatment in people living with HIV. The grant will focus on high-risk populations and aim to complete the ANCHOR Study, which investigates anal cancer prevention.
A new study explores women's hesitancy to use long-acting injectable (LAI) PrEP and their interest in its benefits. Women reported preferring LAI PrEP due to perceived effectiveness, convenience, and confidentiality.
A study reveals that structural and systemic racism significantly impact HIV care for Black women in the US South, leading to decreased trust in healthcare providers and systems. The findings highlight the need for addressing mistrust issues and empowering patients through effective communication and community-based interventions.
A study by Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that only 54% of medical practitioners have prescribed pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to HIV-vulnerable patients, highlighting a need for increased adoption of the preventive medication.
New HIV treatments may increase weight, but surprisingly limit cardiovascular risk due to increased leptin levels. Leptin therapy has restored vascular function in patients with lipodystrophy.
A team of researchers has discovered a novel approach to combat HIV using an antibiotic molecule called concanamycin A. The compound inhibits the Nef protein, allowing cytotoxic T lymphocytes to recognize and destroy HIV-infected cells. This breakthrough offers new hope for a potential cure for HIV by combining with existing treatments.
A recent study examined the pharmacist's role in HIV care in France, revealing that only 40% of pharmacists systematically offer online patient medication files to people living with HIV. The survey also found that 7% of those who were offered medication interviews felt well taken care of.
Critics argue that male circumcision campaigns in Africa are not based on robust science but on racist assumptions about culture, health, and sexuality. The campaigns have been carried out without sufficient contextual research and with underrepresentation of African voices.
A new study finds that states with HIV criminalization laws have lower PrEP uptake rates, while those with nondiscrimination laws for sexual minorities have higher rates. The researchers call for state governments to repeal criminalization laws and improve access to HIV treatment and prevention.
A 2018 survey found that 28% of organizations stopped or reduced at least one service in response to the policy, including reproductive health services. The current policy may negatively affect PEPFAR beneficiaries, particularly youth and pregnant women.
The BEAT-HIV Collaboratory recommends prioritizing viral measurements to accurately measure persistent HIV reservoirs in cure-directed clinical studies. These guidelines aim to standardize measurement approaches and aid researchers in their quest to find a cure for HIV.
A study found that rapid testing for HIV and HCV at drug detoxification centers led to a higher number of positive test results compared to laboratory-based testing. This approach has the potential to improve healthcare access for individuals with substance use disorders, reducing the risk of transmission and improving treatment outcomes.
Researchers at Keck School of Medicine of USC have received a five-year, $14.6 million grant to advance gene therapy for HIV control without daily medicines. The approach is inspired by three cases of HIV cure and aims to prepare patients for stem cell transplants with little toxicity.
A study found that approximately one-third of HIV patients in Malawi's Zomba Hospital had significant levels of HIV in their blood, with over 80% resistant to multiple antiretroviral drugs. Patients with multidrug-resistant HIV were 70% more likely to die within two months.
A Commentary in AIDS Patient Care and STDs finds COVID-19 and HIV diagnoses decreasing as white population increases in US counties. Systemic racism is a key factor contributing to disparities in health outcomes among communities of color.
Research reveals that HIV studies are often designed with an unrepresentative population, leading to a lack of effective solutions for diverse groups. The study's findings highlight the need for more inclusive research methods to address health inequalities and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers found that elite HIV controllers have viral reservoirs located in inactive regions of the genome, known as gene deserts, which are incapable of reactivating. This unique characteristic may hold the key to achieving a functional cure for HIV by targeting active viral reservoirs.
Researchers found that fingolimod inhibits HIV replication by targeting S1P receptors, reducing viral binding and fusion. The compound also activates antiviral restriction factor SAMHD1, leading to a decrease in total and integrated HIV levels.
Researchers found that fingolimod inhibits multiple stages of the HIV lifecycle, blocking infection and transmission in CD4+ T cells. The study suggests that targeting Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors could be a novel strategy to inhibit HIV replication.
A new study found that short-term use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication can effectively prevent HIV transmission in men who have sex with men. During a vacation, 94% of participants had blood concentrations protective against HIV, while no transmissions occurred during the trip itself.
A single protein, MARCH8, uses multiple strategies to defend cells against viral infection, including tagging the vesicular stomatitis virus for destruction and holding HIV hostage. This discovery could improve understanding of how HIV overcomes human immune defense.
Physicist John Barton at UC Riverside has received a $1.86 million NIH grant to develop methods for understanding how pathogens like HIV evolve and escape the immune system. His research could lead to the design of new and better treatments to fight disease.
Researchers at The Wistar Institute identified a cell-surface glycomic signature associated with persistent HIV transcription in T cells. This signature, characterized by the presence of fucose and Sialyl-LewisX, may help target hidden HIV reservoirs during antiretroviral therapy.
A new study found that HIV screening every three months compared to annually improves clinical outcomes and is cost-effective among high-risk YMSM in the US. The study also suggests that more frequent screening could lead to improved life expectancy and reduced HIV transmission among these men.
A new study finds that providers participating in an intervention with education and resources are more likely to adhere to national chronic opioid therapy guidelines compared to those who do not take part. The intervention includes access to a nurse care manager, addiction specialists, and monitoring of prescription usage.
A study by Radboud University Medical Center found that a single pill of dolutegravir per day is equally effective as a combination therapy in children, reducing dosage complexity and increasing treatment accessibility. This simplified dosing regimen has been integrated into World Health Organization guidelines and FDA approval.
The special collection highlights RWHAP's strategies for improving HIV care, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), data analysis, and collaborative efforts. HRSA's program serves over half a million people in the US annually, achieving high viral suppression rates.
A six-week course of a PCSK9 inhibitor improved coronary artery function in people living with HIV or high cholesterol, increasing area and blood flow. The study suggests a potential way to limit cardiovascular disease risk in these populations by improving blood vessel function.
A new NIH study demonstrates that kidney transplantation between people with HIV can be done safely and effectively. The study found excellent graft survival rates, comparable to those of recipients receiving kidneys from HIV-negative donors, without significant differences in infection or adverse events rates.
A new study found the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among Mexican Americans has doubled in recent years, while stabilizing for other racial/ethnic and socioeconomic groups. Researchers also developed a gene therapy that can alleviate obstructive sleep apnea by stimulating the nerve that contracts muscles in the tongue.
A new assay detects intact HIV latent proviruses at higher frequencies than previous methods, revealing a significant amount of intact virus in infected individuals; this finding is crucial for developing an HIV cure. The study provides a benchmark for assessing persistent proviral DNA and its composition.
A GW-led research team is investigating HIV-1 resistance to antibody treatments, aiming to develop effective combination therapies for treatment, prevention, and potential cure. The project, funded through April 2025, aims to identify effective combination antibody cocktails that limit the virus's ability to escape from antibody pressure.
Physicists at University of Utah pioneered a method to image virus-like particles in real time, revealing the lattice's dynamic nature. The discovery opens up potential new therapies by understanding how Gag and GagPol proteins rearrange, leading to viral maturation.
A national quality improvement collaborative found that making primary care practices more inclusive improves STD and HIV screening rates among LGBT individuals. The program increased estimated HIV screening from 14.8% to 30.5% at participating sites.
A study by Rutgers researchers found that 19% of participants had their first sexual experience before age 13, with same-sex encounters happening on average at 14.5 years.
A large study found increased risk of heart disease, chronic liver and kidney disease, and physical function impairment in people with HIV. The study aims to develop effective prevention strategies and guidelines for cardiovascular risk management in this population.
A new study identifies key steps toward establishing nurse- and midwife-led HIV services in eastern and southern Africa, including improved training, supportive supervision, and formal mentorship programs. The region has shown remarkable progress toward eliminating HIV, but challenges remain in providing effective antiretroviral therapy.
The HPTN 083 clinical trial showed that a long-acting cabotegravir injection was superior to daily oral tenofovir/emtricitabine for HIV prevention among cisgender men and transgender women. The study found a 66% reduction in incident HIV infections in participants given cabotegravir compared to TDF/FTC.
A new long-acting injectable form of PrEP containing cabotegravir outperformed a daily oral Truvada regimen in preventing HIV acquisition among men who have sex with men and transgender women. The study found that the injectable PrEP had a superior protective effect, with a 66% lower incidence rate compared to the daily pill.
A Rutgers-led study finds that incarceration and police discrimination contribute to higher rates of psychological distress, HIV risk, and lower willingness to take PrEP among Black gay, bisexual, and other sexual minority men. The research highlights the need for anti-racist and anti-heterosexist advocacy and interventions to address ...
Researchers found that HIV-positive adults' brains process speech cues differently, with disrupted responses even when hearing tests are normal. This non-invasive test holds promise for understanding brain dysfunction in HIV and other disorders.
Researchers report a lower incidence of COVID-19 among HIV-positive patients receiving tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)/emtricitabine (FTC) therapy. Further investigation is warranted to understand the findings' implications for HIV preexposure prophylaxis and randomized trials.
Yale researchers identified four approved drugs that can suppress HIV reactivation and reduce damaging immune responses. These drugs, including ruxolitinib and mycophenolic acid, show promise as a complement to antiretroviral therapy in treating HIV infection.
Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys have developed a new drug called Ciapavir that effectively reactivates dormant human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) without overactivating the immune system. This approach, called 'shock and kill,' aims to create a functional HIV cure by eliminating all pockets of dormant HIV.
The Pew Charitable Trusts has selected 10 postdoctoral fellows from seven Latin American countries to conduct research in the US. The fellows will explore various biomedical topics, including leukemia stem cells and HIV hiding inside host cells.
Researchers found that astrocytes in the brain can harbor HIV and spread it to immune cells that travel to other organs, even when treated with combination antiretroviral therapy. The study suggests that HIV reservoirs in the brain must be targeted for effective cure strategies.
New studies from Flinders University highlight key areas for improvement in HIV management in developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan regions. Nutritional programs should address underlying challenges like poverty and food insecurity, while prisons often struggle with optimal HIV care due to stigma and resource limitations.
Researchers at Yale University have discovered a molecular explanation for how HIV hides in immune system cells, allowing it to remain dormant and re-emerge. By understanding this process, scientists may develop new ways to control HIV infection.