HIV infection

Novel therapeutic targets for HIV

harminka — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:35:38 -0500

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies and Burnham Institute for Medical Research today announced 295 host cell factors that are involved in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

Herpes drug inhibits HIV in patients infected with both viruses

harminka — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 07:40:44 -0500

Researchers at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), McGill University and other institutions have discovered how a simple antiviral drug developed decades ago suppresses HIV in patients who are also infected with herpes. Their study was published in the Sept. 11 issue of the journal Cell Host and Microbe.

How STDs increase the risk of becoming infected with HIV

harminka — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 03:13:09 -0500

Individuals who have a sexually transmitted disease (e.g., genital herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia) and women with yeast and bacterial vaginal infections have an increased risk of becoming infected with HIV if exposed to the virus through sexual contact.

Gladstone scientists identify genetic link that may neutralize HIV

harminka — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:32:51 -0500

Scientists from the Gladstone Institute of Virology and Immunology (GIVI) and the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) have identified a gene that may influence the production of antibodies that neutralize HIV.

Risk of fracture is higher in HIV-infected patients

harminka — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:10:24 -0500

As antiviral treatment for HIV infection allows patients to live longer, many will be confronted with additional health challenges. A new study shows for the first time that one of these may be significantly increased risk of bone fractures.

New insight on HIV transmission risk of men who have sex with men

harminka — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:38:29 -0500

Approximately half of all new HIV infections in the United States result from the sexual risk behaviors of men who have sex with men. Now, a new study led by a researcher at The Miriam Hospital provides additional insight into which of these men are most likely to transmit HIV to others, potentially paving the way for the development of more targeted prevention programs.

Black girls who abuse alcohol less likely to use condoms

harminka — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:39:49 -0500

Black girls who abuse alcohol are more likely to have unprotected sex despite having participated in interventions that stressed the importance of consistent condom use.

Risky behavior, lack of care among HIV-infected crack users

harminka — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:46:58 -0500

Doctors who treat HIV-infected crack users refer to them as "the forgotten population." A study being presented at this week's International AIDS Conference in Mexico City reveals that these patients frequently lack outpatient health care, do not receive life-saving antiretroviral therapy and continue to engage in risky sexual behavior that likely contributes to HIV transmission.

Long-term HIV treatment may reduce risk for atherosclerosis

harminka — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:47:56 -0500

Antiretroviral drugs for HIV do not increase the risk for coronary atherosclerosis, a central risk factor for heart disease, according to a study led by the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health to be published in the Aug. 8 issue of the journal AIDS and available online today.

Highly active antiretroviral therapy of similar benefit for HIV-infected injection drug users

harminka — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 13:29:24 -0500

Contrary to the belief that HIV-infected injection drug users (IDUs) receive less benefit from highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), new research finds little difference in the survival rate between IDUs and non-IDUs after 4-5 years of receiving HAART, according to a study in the August 6 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on HIV/AIDS.

International panel updates treatment guidelines for HIV infection

harminka — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 13:26:30 -0500

An evaluation of recent data has led to an update in the guidelines and recommendations for antiretroviral treatment of adult human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, according to an article in the August 6 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on HIV/AIDS.

Common vaginal infection may increase risk of HIV infection

harminka — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 09:55:51 -0500

A common vaginal infection may make women more susceptible to contracting HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Public Health researchers have found.