Articles tagged with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
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A new bacterium, Bartonella rochalimae, has been discovered and isolated from a patient who suffered symptoms similar to malaria or typhoid fever. The bacterium is genetically similar to one spread by body lice in World War I trenches, causing trench fever.
Researchers have created mouse strains that enable them to trace the activity of activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) enzyme in live animals. This breakthrough allows scientists to understand how AID regulates the immune response and its role in autoimmunity and B cell tumor development.
AIDS researcher Dr. Edward Johnson has received a $1.8M NIH grant to study the molecular mechanics of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a brain disease that kills four percent of AIDS patients worldwide. The research aims to understand how the JC virus causes PML, which can occur even in patients with well-managed AIDS.
The HIV Medicine Association strongly opposes The Gambia's use of an unproven herbal remedy for treating HIV/AIDS. The organization urges patients to resume taking their prescribed antiretroviral medications, which have been shown to save lives in Africa.
A call has been made for the Global Fund to prioritize funding health workers' salaries to ensure medicines are delivered to patients. The absence of skilled healthcare professionals poses a significant challenge in countries struggling with HIV, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
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 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.
A new study suggests that delaying the use of nevirapine-containing antiretroviral therapy (ART) for at least six months after labor can improve treatment outcomes among HIV-infected women. The study found that women who started ART within six months of giving birth had a higher rate of treatment failure compared to those who delayed t...
A world health insurance scheme could address shared responsibility and progressive realization issues, providing a framework for rich states to assist poor states. The proposed model is based on the Global Fund's success in securing long-term funding for health interventions.
Researchers at USC have provided the first 3D view of a protein from an enzyme family that mutates genes to both help and hinder human health. The study sheds new light on the rare immune deficiency disease hyper-IgM immunodeficiency syndrome type 2 (HIGM-2).
Recent studies published in major scientific journals reveal the molecular mechanisms behind Toxoplasma gondii's severity and its link to AIDS patients' dementia. The research provides a model for studying toxoplasmosis and related diseases, with potential applications for developing more effective treatments.
Public health campaigns should emphasize the pleasurable aspects of condom use to increase uptake. This approach has been successful in promoting safer sex behaviors, as seen in Uganda's Marie Stopes International campaign featuring textured male condoms.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic will hinder efforts to reduce extreme poverty and hunger, improve maternal health, and tackle infectious diseases. Researchers estimate that the epidemic could lower national GDP by up to 1.5% annually, with a greater impact on economic development in Africa.
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 novel home-based approach to AIDS care has been shown to improve adherence and response to antiretroviral therapy in rural Uganda. The study, published in The Lancet, found that good adherence was associated with sustained suppression of HIV during the first year of treatment.
The Lancet evaluates the five candidates vying for the Global Fund's top job, with Hilde Johnson and Michel Sidibe emerging as leaders. The Editorial highlights the importance of partnership, evaluation, and accelerated results in optimizing grant performance and mobilizing resources.
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 New York City analysis found that non-HIV-related deaths among people with AIDS increased by 32.8% from 1999 to 2004, with underlying causes including substance abuse and cardiovascular disease. The study suggests a shift in healthcare models to address physical and mental health needs is necessary to reduce these deaths.
A new study finds that concentrating antiretroviral drugs in urban areas could reduce new infections by up to 46%, but would violate basic ethical principles of treatment equity. The approach would also exacerbate urban/rural healthcare disparities.
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.
The Lancet calls for greater transparency and accountability in the selection of a new Global Fund Executive Director. The current secretive process could undermine the organization's ability to improve global health, according to an Editorial published in The Lancet.
Researchers like Barkley aim to understand the basic science of HIV-1 function and develop new therapies. The recent NIH grant supports a new area of AIDS research focusing on the chemical processes between the two pieces of reverse transcriptase protein that mobilize the HIV-1 virus.
The International AIDS Society-USA Panel has updated guidelines for the treatment of adult HIV infection, recommending antiretroviral therapy for all symptomatic and asymptomatic adults with CD4 counts below 350/μL. The new guidelines also emphasize the importance of adherence to therapy and regular monitoring of plasma HIV-1 RNA levels.
A massive scale-up of HIV/AIDS treatment programs in Zambia showed favorable patient outcomes, demonstrating the feasibility of expansion in sub-Saharan Africa. The program's success was attributed to leadership and advocacy by the Zambian government, strict protocols for patient care, and large financial resources.
The Lancet has teamed up with PRODUCT RED to produce a (RED) issue devoted to HIV/AIDS, contributing $30,000 to the cause. The initiative aims to convince companies to develop RED products and donate profits to the Global Fund.
In sub-Saharan Africa, AIDS deaths are disproportionately affecting health professionals, particularly nurses and clinical officers. The study found that over a decade, death would claim more of these healthcare workers than resignation or normal retirement due to the disease.
A decade after HAART introduction, HIV/AIDS risk remains low for those starting treatment. However, a significant increase in tuberculosis (TB) cases among HAART patients has been observed since 1998, largely due to increased incidence of TB.
The Indian government's plan for controlling HIV is not yet fully implemented, and the consequences could be devastating. Experts call for increased access to care and treatment services, as well as strategic knowledge building, to mitigate the social fallout of the epidemic.
A study of 38 infant-mother pairs found that women who transmitted HIV to their babies had lower levels of a neutralizing antibody, suggesting its potential as a protective factor. The study suggests further research into the antibody's role could lead to an effective vaccine or passive antibody approaches.
Researchers successfully converted human embryonic stem cells into mature T-cells, a key step towards gene therapy for HIV and other diseases. The breakthrough could lead to the development of new treatments for severe combined immunodeficiency and other conditions.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have made significant progress in understanding the efficacy of an AIDS vaccine. The study found that vaccines can control HIV infection for approximately 100 days, followed by nearly three years, with vaccinated monkeys living significantly longer than unvaccinated ones.
Advances in HIV care have yielded a total survival benefit of 2.8 million years in the US, saving an additional 137,000 years of life through mother-to-child transmission prevention. The study found that HIV therapies have transformed the disease from a rapidly fatal condition to a controllable one.
Rice University's new global health program aims to equip students with the skills to tackle complex health issues in developing countries, including poverty, access to medicine, and cultural factors. The $2.2M grant will support undergraduate engineering students in designing solutions to these problems.
A new study analyzed national surveillance data and found that widespread adoption of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) led to at least 3 million years of life saved in the US. The study suggests that reducing barriers to care, such as pre-test counseling, could lead to even greater benefits.
Researchers at FSU have produced high-resolution images of the HIV virus, revealing its complex molecular surface architecture and enabling the development of more effective vaccines. The study, published in Nature, provides valuable insights into the virus's structure and behavior, which could lead to breakthroughs in vaccine design.
A study of over 500 HIV-positive patients and physicians found significant differences in their perceptions about HIV treatment. Gaps were identified in understanding treatment options, side effects, and patient-physician relationships, highlighting the need for more candid dialogue to improve treatment experiences.
A recent study published in AIDS Education and Prevention found that few HIV-positive gay men regret sharing their diagnosis with friends and family. In fact, only 4.2% of participants reported regret after disclosing their status to at least one social network member.
The Penn-Botswana Program will provide clinical care and education for HIV/AIDS patients in Botswana. The grant aims to turn around the epidemic in Botswana, a test tube case for Africa's AIDS crisis.
The US government's PEPFAR program aims to prevent 7 million new HIV infections by 2010, but a GAO report reveals that an ambiguous approach to condom promotion may hinder its success. Promoting condoms alongside abstinence and faithfulness messages is crucial for reaching this target.
Researchers have identified two patterns of cognitive impairment in people with AIDS, differing in severity and brain region affected. The study found that while severe dementia has decreased, a milder form of impairment has increased, warranting further investigation into its mechanisms and potential treatments.
A study suggests that increasing access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in resource-poor countries may not reduce HIV infection rates, but rather increase transmission due to prolonged survival and increased sexual activity. Counseling patients and promoting safe sex practices are crucial in preventing the spread of the virus.
Brazil's juvenile detention system remains grossly deficient 15 years after adopting a progressive law reflecting the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Overcrowded and unhygienic conditions spread diseases like scabies, while lack of oversight allows cruel treatment to continue.
A study found that HIV subtype D is associated with a higher risk of early death from AIDS compared to subtype A. The researchers analyzed data from over 300 newly infected individuals in Uganda and found that those infected with subtype D had a significantly shorter average survival time.
The study found that infant transplant patients resisted infections despite having low T cell counts, a crucial component in fighting viruses and cancer tumors. This discovery could lead to improved treatments for AIDS, cancers, and diseases of aging related to declining immune function.
The Lancet Editor Richard Horton emphasizes the importance of medical journals and general news media in drawing attention to neglected issues of child and maternal health. The current huge imbalances in research publications between high and low-income countries highlight the need for increased funding and action.
A Cornell University study reveals that child-headed households in Namibia often rely on their youthful social networks for support, highlighting the need for young Africans to be trained as social supports. The study of over 200 children found that 60% turn to other youths for help and advice, with many facing suicidal thoughts.
Population growth is expected to double in Africa by 2050, posing a significant threat to poverty reduction. Experts argue that continued high fertility rates and rapid population growth could be more serious obstacles to development than AIDS, threatening food security and increasing dependence on international assistance.
Dr. Henry Gabelnick, a renowned expert in reproductive health and microbicide development, has been awarded the lifetime achievement award by International Conference on AIDS India. The award recognizes his significant contributions to the field, including the development of Ushercell, a microbicide consisting of cellulose sulfate.
A multi-center study of 425 HIV-positive men found that central fat loss was statistically associated with peripheral fat loss in HIV-positive men on retroviral therapy. Central fat gain was also less among HIV-positive men, with age being the strongest factor associated with increased visceral fat.
Researchers found that AIDS selectively attacks the brain's motor, language and judgment centers, but leaves other areas intact. Brain scans revealed specific patterns of tissue damage correlated with physical and mental symptoms, including impaired motor coordination and slowed reflexes.
A community-level intervention program targeting young adolescents delays early intercourse, increases condom use, and reduces high-risk sexual behavior. The program successfully delayed sexual debut and increased condom use among participants.
The American Society for Clinical Pathology is providing laboratory training and quality improvement programs for diagnosis and monitoring of HIV/AIDS patients in resource-limited countries. The program aims to improve the effectiveness of HIV diagnostic, care, and treatment services and interventions.
Researchers have discovered an unexpected connection between the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and HIV, which may lead to the development of a new HIV vaccine. FIV, also known as feline AIDS, has been used in animal studies to model human AIDS, but this study found that a core protein from HIV also protects cats against FIV.
A study of over 3,200 HIV patients found that HAART substantially reduces the rate of AIDS progression by 86% compared to no treatment. The effectiveness of HAART increases with time since initiation, but its benefits are reduced for patients who contracted HIV through intravenous drug use.
Researchers criticize activist groups for derailing PREP trials, citing concerns about drug's efficacy and safety. The pause in trials may hinder development of female-controlled prevention technologies.
Global HIV/AIDS cases are increasing worldwide, with Africa being only one of the regions affected. The Lancet study highlights the need for international cooperation and resource allocation to address this growing epidemic.
Poorer people have been left out of past aid programs due to insufficient planning, and donors and developing countries should learn from these mistakes. Local health officials must decide who will receive therapy and live, and who will go without, despite growing demand and limited supply.
Women now account for nearly half of the 40 million people worldwide infected with HIV, a significant shift from the early days of the pandemic. The increased number of female cases is attributed to various factors, including heterosexual transmission and cultural influences.
Khalili will investigate the molecular mechanisms causing JC virus reactivation in AIDS patients, which can lead to the fatal disease PML. The researcher aims to understand how HIV triggers JC virus infections and develop new treatments for demyelinating diseases like MS.