Articles tagged with Human Immunodeficiency Virus
A new study found HIV hides in every organ site, including the brain and liver, causing inflammation-related diseases. The study used serial blood samples from terminally ill participants with HIV to identify where HIV hides, shedding light on potential new therapies.
Researchers found that hotspots are not sources of infection but rather sinks for the virus, with more infections originating from outside communities. Inland communities with lower HIV prevalence drove more new infections in hotspot areas.
Experts argue against switching from Truvada to Tenofovir Alafenamide for PrEP, citing limited data on the newer drug's effectiveness in diverse populations. The current medication, Truvada, has been shown to be safe and effective with ample evidence of its safety and effectiveness.
The Otago Global Health Institute is investing in new research initiatives with the Fiji National University and the National University of East Timor. The collaborations aim to lay the foundation for long-term research collaborations and tackle health issues such as antibiotic-resistant bacteria, non-communicable diseases, and HIV.
Researchers at Norwegian University of Science and Technology have found a previously unknown way for the immune system to detect and respond to HIV infection. This discovery may hold the key to allowing the 'shock-and-kill' approach to work, where the virus is activated to be visible to the immune system and then killed.
A study co-led by Queen Mary University of London found that routine HIV screening in general practice increases testing rates and improves detection of earlier diagnosis. The analysis showed outcomes comparable to those achieved in a previous trial, with higher CD4 scores among newly diagnosed patients.
A single dose of antibody-based treatment can prevent HIV transmission from mother to baby, according to new research. The study found that administering a combination of two antibodies 30 hours after viral exposure prevented SHIV infection in rhesus macaque newborns.
A new study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that New Yorkers are being treated sooner after HIV infection, with a median time of 0.2 years (~2.4 months) for those diagnosed in 2015. This reduction coincides with expanded testing and treatment efforts in the city.
A recent study published in E-Clinical Medicine found that about 75% of infants with HIV attained viral suppression on ART, but only 52% sustained it. Early treatment within the first two weeks of life led to similar outcomes as starting within the first two days of life.
A multidisciplinary inpatient team improved viral suppression rates by 30% and increased engagement in care after discharge by 30% for hospitalized HIV patients. The intervention addressed social and medical barriers, reducing future infection rates.
A recent study found that one in three children affected by the outbreak are yet to receive treatment, highlighting the need for urgent government intervention. The average age of children affected is just 3 years old, and most cases were transmitted through reused needles and contaminated blood products.
Researchers found that children with HIV performed poorly on neuropsychological tests, particularly in planning and reasoning abilities, compared to their HIV-negative peers. The disparity worsened over time, highlighting the need for further investigation into the underlying mechanisms of these cognitive challenges.
A new MSU study found that HIV significantly affects children's neuropsychological development, even with early antiretroviral therapy. Children living with HIV showed significant deficits in reasoning and planning abilities compared to their HIV-negative peers.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that 30% of pregnant women with HIV were prescribed medications with insufficient evidence of safety in pregnancy. The study, led by Kathleen M. Powis, suggests that physicians may be prescribing ahead of recommended guidelines.
A commentary published in the American Journal of Public Health argues that existing metrics are insufficient to track the public health response to HIV in the US. Newer metrics are needed to inform and evaluate efforts aimed at reducing new HIV infections by 75% and 90% over the next five and ten years, respectively.
Researchers at UC Davis discovered that rectal microbes can impact HIV vaccine efficacy, with Lactobacillus supplements boosting antibody production and Prevotella bacteria hindering immune responses. The study suggests targeting specific gut bacteria may improve vaccine performance.
A new study found that nearly one-quarter of people living with HIV are willing to participate in clinical trials that carry significant risks, including near-certain death, in exchange for the potential of an HIV cure. The study highlights the need for additional ethical safeguards when enrolling individuals in such high-risk research.
Researchers highlight the need to address comorbidities such as heart disease, kidney disease, and certain cancers associated with HIV. Effective treatment strategies and clinical trials are crucial to reducing the burden of these conditions on individuals and the healthcare system.
A study found that cancer treatments in HIV patients were linked to decreased immune system health (lower CD4 counts) and higher mortality rates. Nearly 200 patients with both conditions were analyzed, providing valuable insights into the effects of cancer treatment on individuals with HIV.
A large NIH-supported study found increasing acceptance of the U=U message among gay, bisexual men, with 84% of participants with HIV correctly identifying it as accurate. However, most still overestimate the risk of HIV transmission from an undetectable partner.
A new study found that expansion of HIV treatment eligibility to include those under 15 led to significant increases in antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation among 10-14 year-olds. The 'Treat All' policies improved access to ART, with large increases seen in seven countries.
A study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that many high-risk individuals eligible for HIV preventive medication face knowledge gaps, attitudinal roadblocks, and placement of responsibility on patients, leading to low access rates. The researchers recommend increased primary care access and educational initiat...
Women account for one-third of new HIV diagnoses in the Region, with 54% of cases among them being diagnosed late. Early diagnosis is crucial to start treatment and reduce transmission risk, but current systems are failing women and older adults, according to health experts.
A study of newborns in Botswana found that initiating antiretroviral therapy immediately after birth reduces the frequency of reservoir cells and improves immune responses. The Early Infant Treatment Study showed measurable benefits from early treatment, suggesting strategies to test and treat infants at birth may improve outcomes.
A new cascade of care model for Rhode Island aims to improve treatment for opioid use disorder by defining five stages of care and estimating gaps in care. The model highlights a significant gap between diagnosis and linkage to treatment, with only half of diagnosed individuals initiating medication-based treatment.
The experimental HIV vaccine developed by Scripps Research and IAVI successfully elicited broadly neutralizing antibodies to at least two vulnerable sites on HIV. The test results suggest that researchers are one step closer to developing an effective HIV vaccine, a major goal of medical science.
Research reveals that activated T helper cells can hinder HIV vaccine efficacy, as they migrate to mucosal tissues and express coreceptors that facilitate viral entry. This discovery highlights the need for careful consideration of T cell responses in vaccine development.
A UC Davis study found that Lactobacillus plantarum bacteria can rapidly repair a damaged gut lining, known as leaky gut, within five hours of exposure. The bacteria activated PPARα signaling and revived mitochondrial flow, repairing the gut barrier and providing hope for effective treatment of HIV-related damage.
A recent study led by the University of California, Berkeley found that South African teen girls who experience depression are more likely to contract HIV. The study suggests addressing mental health needs among adolescent girls may help reduce the spread of the disease.
A recent NIH-funded study found that children born to mothers on HIV therapy containing the drug efavirenz were 2-2.5 times more likely to have microcephaly and experience developmental delays compared to those on other antiretroviral drugs.
A randomized clinical trial found that providing HIV self-tests increased HIV testing and diagnosis among men who have sex with men. The study also improved rates of viral suppression and reduced stigma around HIV testing.
Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital found that uninfected adolescents and young adults born to mothers with HIV have a fourfold increased risk of obesity and asthma-like symptoms. The study revealed metabolic and immune consequences of in utero HIV exposure.
Researchers found increased variability in electrical 'resetting' between heartbeats in people with HIV, linked to virus levels and increasing risk of sudden cardiac deaths. The study suggests that this measure could be used to assess risk and identify ways to intervene.
Scientists at The Wistar Institute have developed a synthetic DNA-based platform to drive in vivo production of broadly neutralizing anti-HIV antibodies. These results show that the platform can produce potent antibodies with strong neutralization ability, comparable to recombinant antibodies. Additionally, combining multiple antibodie...
A study of 170 people living with HIV/AIDS in Turkey found that younger individuals, wealthier participants, and those working at diagnosis had higher employment rates. Illicit drug use, longer time since diagnosis, and low CD4 T cells counts were negatively associated with employment.
A recent HVTN study found that antibody-mediated and cellular-mediated immune responses correlate with a decrease in HIV transmission. The study demonstrated that measuring both types of immune responses can predict the transmission of HIV, providing new insights into potential correlates of protection (CoP).
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing used a mystery shopper methodology to evaluate the quality of HIV/STI testing services for young men who have sex with men. The results showed variable performance across cities and testing sites, emphasizing the need to improve these services.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes and Xyphos Biosciences have developed convertibleCAR, a cell-based immunotherapy that reduces the latent HIV reservoir in infected patients on anti-retroviral therapy. The technology combines cytotoxic T cells with antibodies, offering a flexible approach to fighting the virus.
Experts say optimal implementation of existing tools and development of new interventions are crucial to ending the HIV pandemic. Current highly effective treatments like antiretroviral therapy (ART) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can prevent transmission if implemented correctly.
Researchers from Xyphos and Gladstone Institutes published preclinical data demonstrating that convertibleCAR cells can significantly reduce latent reservoirs of diverse HIV strains. This approach targets specific cells for destruction using bispecific MicAbodies, providing a promising solution to the HIV/AIDS cure.
A unique study aims to analyze how daily microaggressions affect the health of black women living with HIV. The Project MMAGIC team will gather data from 150 women for one year to see how microaggressions and other related experiences impact their viral suppression over time.
A study found that around half a million men who have sex with men in the EU need HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) but face barriers to accessing it. The estimated 'PrEP gap' ranged from 4.3% in Portugal to 44.8% in Russia, highlighting the need for improved accessibility of PrEP.
A new therapy shows promise in reducing liver fat and fibrosis in people with HIV, a form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The study found that tesamorelin reduced liver fat by 37% and slowed the progression of fibrosis in treated subjects.
Researchers found that tesamorelin reduced liver fat and prevented liver fibrosis in people living with HIV. The study showed a 37% relative reduction in liver fat fraction and a significant decrease in blood markers associated with inflammation and liver damage.
Researchers found that antiretroviral therapy alters the host environment to form most of the long-lived HIV reservoir. The study's findings suggest that treatment may contribute to the formation or stabilization of the latent viral reservoir.
The NYDOH AIDS Institute awarded a 5-year, $1 million grant to the Health Education Alternatives for Teens Program (HEAT) at SUNY Downstate to provide essential health services for transgender and gender non-conforming youth. The grant will nearly triple the program's capacity to serve over 100 patients annually.
A meta-analysis of 44,993 African men who have sex with men found that severe anti-LGBT legislation is associated with lower HIV testing rates and reduced awareness of the disease. The study suggests that countries with more protective and progressive legislation have higher testing rates.
Research analyzing data from 44,993 MSM across 28 African countries found that only 19% of those with HIV were aware of their status, and only 24% were taking anti-retroviral therapy (ART). The UNAIDS targets of 90-90-90 by 2020 will not be achieved among MSM in Africa if the current situation remains unchanged.
Research reveals HIV-1B originated in America, then developed into a unique Indonesian strain after introduction in the late 1980s. The study found multiple introductions of the virus to Indonesia via Thailand, Europe, and America throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
Researchers found high rates of overall survival and kidney graft survival in recipients living with HIV who received kidney transplants from deceased donors with HIV. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed that outcomes were comparable to those in a previous US study using kidneys from donors without HIV.
A clinical trial found that isoniazid preventive therapy during pregnancy increases the risk of poor health outcomes and death for fetuses and newborns. In contrast, deferring treatment until after delivery was safer, with no significant difference in risks.
A new study by the University of Michigan found that interprofessional collaboration and on-the-job training significantly improve linkages to HIV testing and primary care. This can help decrease HIV transmission and promote viral suppression among vulnerable populations.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine identified a principal cellular player controlling HIV reproduction in immune cells, which when turned off or deleted eliminates dormant HIV reservoirs. The discovery highlights a potential therapeutic target to eradicate HIV and AIDS.
Scientists have discovered a new reaction to obtain water-soluble fullerene derivatives with high antiviral activity against flu viruses, HIV, HSV, and CMV. This breakthrough opens opportunities for developing effective antiviral drugs capable of suppressing untreatable infections.
A new study published in Nature Communications presents a promising alternative for HIV treatment and prevention. The injectable implant combines multiple drugs and is ultra-long-acting, addressing challenges faced with current methods. It can be removed surgically within weeks or biodegrades into body-absorbed acids if not needed.
The RV144 vaccine has shown promising results with a new study indicating it may provide protection against multiple strains of HIV. Researchers discovered that the vaccine elicited stronger immune responses, particularly in men, and was well-tolerated, suggesting potential long-term efficacy.
Researchers say hospital emergency departments can play a critical role in curbing the spread of HIV infections in hard-to-reach populations. By initiating treatment and case management, EDs may be able to reach key targets in the global fight against HIV/AIDS.
Researchers at the University of Rhode Island have discovered a link between prenatal HIV exposure and reduced infant immunity. The study found two clusters of HIV-exposed but uninfected infants, one with a significantly reduced immune repertoire, which may explain their increased risk of morbidity.
A study by UCSF researchers found that HIV infection is associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation, a leading cause of stroke. The risk is comparable to known factors like hypertension and diabetes, affecting up to 1 in 5 HIV-positive patients.
The University of California, San Diego's Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) has been awarded $1.2 million in funding to support research and implementation of the Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative. The initiative aims to reduce new infections by 90% by 2030. CFAR will lead teams working on four pillars: diagnose, treat, prevent, and res...