Current study results from the report, "Human immunodeficiency virus, smoking and self-rated health in Harare, Zimbabwe," have been published. According to recent research from Harare, Zimbabwe, "Twenty-two urban factories in Harare. To determine the relationship between the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), smoking and self-rated health in a high HIV prevalence urban workforce. Cross-sectional survey."
Fresh data on hiv/aids cancer are presented in the report "RhoA-GTPase facilitates entry of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus into adherent target cells in a Src-dependent manner. Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) (human herpesvirus 8) binds to adherent target cell surface heparan sulfate molecules via its envelope glycoproteins gB and gpK8.1A, to integrins via gB, to the transporter CD98/xCT complex, and possibly to another molecule(s). This is followed by virus entry overlapping with the induction of preexisting host cell signal pathways, such as focal adhesion kinase, Src, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K), Rho-GTPases, protein kinase C-zeta, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2," researchers in the United States report.
Research findings, "Factors associated with sexual dysfunction in men with HIV infection," are discussed in a new report. "Where men have had access to successful treatment for HIV (highly active antiretroviral therapy), expectations of both patients and physicians alike have changed significantly over the past decade. Such men, living with HIV, expect to lead fully functional lives including a normal sex life," researchers in London, the United Kingdom report.
Research findings, "Characteristics of cutaneous cytomegalovirus infection in non-acquired immune deficiency syndrome, immunocompromised patients," are discussed in a new report. According to a study from Seoul, Korea, "Although cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is a severe complication among immunocompromised patients, its cutaneous features have not been frequently reported. As herpes simple virus (HSV) infection commonly develops in CMV skin lesions, a study is needed on the pathogenetic role of CMV in cutaneous lesion formation.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine report the first clinical test of a new gene therapy based on a disabled AIDS virus carrying genetic material that inhibits HIV replication. Overall, the study results are significant, say the researchers, because it is the first demonstration of safety in humans for a lentiviral vector (of which HIV is an example) for any disease.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered how the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus (KSHV) subverts a normal cell process in order to promote tumor growth. The finding, published in PLoS Pathogens, offers new potential strategies for treating Kaposi's sarcoma and other cancers associated with viruses.
New research, "Circuit parties: sexual behaviors and HIV disclosure practices among men who have sex with men at the White Party, Palm Springs, California, 2003," is the subject of a report. According to recent research from the United States, "The syphilis epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) in major US cities and concomitant increases in high-risk sexual behavior, have raised concerns of increased HIV transmission in this population. Therefore, to provide information for health promotion and disease awareness efforts, we investigated sexual behaviors, partner selection preferences and HIV serostatus disclosure practices of MSM at the White Party in Palm Springs, California."
Fresh data on hiv/aids cancer are presented in the report "Occult lymphadenopathic Kaposi's sarcoma associated with severe pulmonary hypertension: A clinical hint about the potential role of HHV-8 in HIV-related pulmonary hypertension. Severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) mimicking idiopathic PH is an increasingly recognized complication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. PH shares several histopathologic features with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), the most common malignancy in AIDS patients, and molecular evidence of the vasculotropic Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus or human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) has been found in the lung tissue of patients with the disease," scientists in Alicante, Spain report.
For years researchers have been trying to understand how a few HIV-infected patients naturally defeat a virus that otherwise overwhelms the immune system. Last year, a research team at the University of Rochester Medical Center confirmed that in a few HIV patients, called long-term non-progressors, maintain higher than normal levels of the enzyme called APOBEC-3G (A3G) in their white blood cells, which function to stave off infections. Now, the same group has teamed up with a structural biologist to provide the first look at the A3G structure. Such information represents an early step toward the design of a new class of drugs that could afford to all the same natural protection enjoyed by few, according to a study published in The Journal of Biological Chemistry.
HIV-specific cell activation by exposed dendritic cells trigger efficient viral spread in lymphocytes. "Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-specific CD4+ lymphocytes are preferentially infected in HIV-positive individuals. To study this preferential infection, we have derived several HIV-specific (HS) CD4+ clones," scientists writing in the journal Blood report.
HAART adherence assessed by pharmacy claims predicts survival in HIV/AIDS patients in South Africa. According to a recent report from the United States, "It is unclear how adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) may best be monitored in large HIV programs in sub-Saharan Africa where it is being scaled up.
A simple assay monitors CD4+ cells in HIV/AIDS patients in resource-limited settings. "Serial measurements of absolute CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts are required to initiate and gauge response to therapy and monitor disease progression. Hence, there is an urgent need to evaluate the accuracy and validity of low-cost CD4+ T-cell count assays," scientists in India report.
Nevirapine-containing HAART is safe and effective long-term in antiretroviral-naïve HIV/AIDS patients. According to a recent study from France, "Data on the durability of antiretroviral regimens over a 3-year period have only rarely been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of one or two daily doses of nevirapine (NVP), in combination with stavudine (d4T) and didanosine (ddI), in HIV-infected patients.
Progestin-based contraceptive suppresses cellular immunity in simian-HIV infection. "Nine rhesus macaques in groups of three received a single dose of the injectable progestin-based contraceptive Depo-Provera 5 weeks prior to challenge intravaginally with varying doses of a mixture of the pathogenic CXCR4 (X4)-SHIVSF33A and CCR5 (R5)-SHIVSF162P3 isolates.
Nitazoxanide safe and useful for treatment of AIDS-related cryptosporidiosis. According to a recently published study from the United States, "Cryptosporidiosis in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome is a serious, life-threatening disease.
HIV serostatus disclosure is associated with antiretroviral medication adherence. According to a recent report from the United States, "This study examined the relationship between HIV serostatus disclosure and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Osteonecrosis is a complication of HIV infection and combination antiretroviral therapy. According to a recently published report from France, "Osteonecrosis was increasingly associated with HIV infection in the 1990s. It is unclear whether its risk increases with the duration of HIV infection, the duration of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) or both.
Indinavir decreases nitric oxide production in HIV/AIDS patients. According to a recently published report from Brazil, "Treatment with indinavir (IDV), a protease inhibitor, is frequently associated with renal abnormalities.
Human herpesvirus 8 is present in normal prostates of HIV-infected men. According to a recent report from the United States, "Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) DNA has been detected in semen and prostatic tissues in some, but not all reports.
The development of drug resistance is low in HIV/AIDS patients receiving tenofovir plus lamivudine and efavirenz therapy. According to recent research published in the journal HIV Medicine, "Study 903 was a 144-week, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled study of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) therapy in treatment-naïve HIV-1-infected patients. Patients received either TDF (n=299) or stavudine (d4T) (n=301) with lamivudine (3TC) and efavirenz (EFV)."
Tuberculin skin testing sensitivity is reduced in patients with HIV infection. "When determining eligibility for isoniazid preventive therapy of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, the cutoff value of the tuberculin skin test (TST) is often reduced from an induration of 10 mm in diameter to one of 5 mm in diameter to compensate for loss of sensitivity.
Differential HIV-1 replication in neonatal and adult blood mononuclear cells is influenced at the level of viral gene expression. According to a study from the United States, "The majority of HIV-1-infected neonates and infants have a higher level of viremia and develop AIDS more rapidly than infected adults, including differences seen in clinical manifestations.
The time to reach virologic failure is similar in HIV/AIDS patients taking 3- versus 4-drug HAART regimens. "Three-drug antiretroviral regimens are standard of care for initial treatment of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) infection, but a 4-drug regimen could improve antiretroviral activity and be more effective than a 3-drug regimen." The "safety/efficacy of 3-drug versus 4-drug regimens for initial treatment of HIV-1 infection" was compared, wrote scientists in the United States.
Simplified maintenance therapy with atazanavir-ritonavir maintains virologic suppression. According to a recent report from the United States, "The long-term adverse effects, expense, and difficulty of adherence to antiretroviral regimens have led to studies of simpler maintenance therapies.
Time from HIV-1 seroconversion to CD4/CD8 ratio inversion predicts time to AIDS. According to a study from the United States, "HIV-1 infection is characterized by an inverted CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio (CD4/CD8<1), but the distribution of inversions over time after seroconversion and whether delay of inversion is associated with a favorable prognosis are not known.
Protection against X4-tropic HIV-1 superinfection involves CD4-independent and CD4-dependent HIV-1 Nef mechanisms. "Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) utilizes Vpu, Env, and Nef to down-modulate its primary CD4 receptor from the cell surface, and this function seems to be critical for the pathogenesis of AIDS. The physiological relevance of CD4 down-modulation, however, is currently not well understood," scientists writing in the Journal of Virology report.
HIV drug-resistant and nonsubtype B strains are becoming increasingly common in perinatally infected infants in New York State. According to a recently published study from the United States, "Prevalence studies indicate that transmission of drug-resistant HIV has been rising in the adult population, but data from the perinatally infected pediatric population are limited.
Serum albumin may be used to predict the severity of HIV infection and monitor the response to HAART in resource-poor settings. According to a recently published study from Nigeria, "We sought to examine the utility of serum albumin measurement in staging AIDS and monitoring patients' response to therapy.
Integration of HIV-1 in untreated infection occurs preferentially within genes. According to a study from the United States, "Previous analyses of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) integration sites generated in infections in vitro or in patients in whom viral replication was repressed by antiviral therapy have demonstrated a preference for integration within protein-coding genes.
Fosamprenavir-ritonavir is similar in safety, efficacy and emergence of resistance as lopinavir-ritonavir in patients with HIV/AIDS. According to a recently published study from the United States, "Lopinavir-ritonavir is a preferred protease inhibitor coformulation for initial HIV-1 treatment. Fosamprenavir-ritonavir has shown similar efficacy and safety to lopinavir-ritonavir when each is combined with two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.
HIV/AIDS patients carrying the monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 mutated allele have a better response to protease inhibitor treatment. "Antiretroviral drug efficacy has been widely studied in relation to viral factors. Mutations in the HIV coreceptors and their natural chemokines, however, may be critical in HIV infection and treatment response.
HIV RNA suppression is improved in HAART-naïve patients starting antiretroviral therapy with a three-drug/two-class regimen including efavirenz. According to a recently published study from England, "Antiretroviral therapy has greatly reduced HIV mortality and morbidity. However, the best sequence of regimens and implications of initial regimen for long-term therapeutic success are not well defined."
Mannose-binding lectin deficiency may be associated with a lower risk for HIV and tuberculosis infection. "Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a serum lectin that mediates phagocytosis and activates complement. Its deficiency has been associated with increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, mainly in childhood.
Growth hormone replacement improves fasting lipid kinetics in patients with HIV lipodystrophy syndrome. According to recent research from the United States, "HIV lipodystrophy syndrome (HLS) is characterized by accelerated lipolysis, inadequate fat oxidation, increased hepatic re-esterification, and a high frequency of growth hormone deficiency (GHD).
HIV antigen/antibody ELISAs are sensitive and specific alternative confirmatory tests in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. "The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of two antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) [Vironostika Uni-Form II plus O and Enzygnost anti-HIV-1/2 Plus], and two antigen/antibody combination ELISAs [Murex and Vironostika HIV Uni-Form II] for use in an alternative confirmatory HIV diagnostic testing strategy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
PCR detects low levels of HIV-1 RNA in semen preparations used for assisted reproduction techniques on the day of sampling. In a recently published report, investigators in Belgium conducted laboratory-based research in a university hospital to "develop a method for same-day validation of processed, semen in the setting of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) with patients who are seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus, type 1 (HIV-1)."
Atazanavir clearance increases when used in combination with nevirapine, efavirenz and/or tenofovir. According to recent research from France, "The influence of nevirapine, efavirenz and tenofovir coadministration on ritonavir-boosted atazanavir pharmacokinetics was investigated in HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)-infected patients. A population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed in the context of therapeutic drug monitoring (87 patients, 121 samples)."
An antifungal protein isolated from the pea Pisum sativum var. arvense Poir inhibits HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. "An antifungal protein with a molecular mass of 11 kDa and a lysine-rich N-terminal sequence was isolated from the seeds of the pea Pisum sativum var. arvense Poir," scientists writing in the journal Peptides report.
HIV-infected patients are deficient in vitamin D. In a recent report, researchers in the United States conducted a study to "evaluate bone mineral metabolism in HIV infected and asymptomatic patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) containing protease inhibitors (PI) and naïve patients.
The amount of seminal interleukin-1 beta positively correlates with HIV-1 load in the semen. According to a study from France, "Cytokines present in the sperm could influence the heterosexual transmission of HIV by modulating viral titers and influencing the early immune response in the vaginal mucosa.
Arginine 332 removal allows human TRIM5α to bind HIV capsids and restrict infection. According to a recently published report from the United States, "Human TRIM5α (TRIM5α(hu)) only modestly inhibits human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and does not inhibit simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVmac).
Tumor susceptibility gene 101 variability is associated with HIV disease progression. "Tumor susceptibility gene 101 (TSG101) encodes a host cellular protein that is appropriated by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in the budding process of viral particles from infected cells.
Immune avidity, more than breadth of the immune response, determines HIV disease progression. According to a study from the Netherlands, "The great variability in the time between infection with HIV and the onset of AIDS has been the object of intense study. In the current work, we examine a mathematical model that focuses on the role of immune response variability between patients."
Genetic variation in the CCL18-CCL3-CCL4 chemokine gene cluster influences HIV-1 transmission and disease progression. According to recent research from the United States, "CCL3 (MIP-1 alpha), CCL4 (MIP-1 beta), and CCL18 (DC-CK1/PARC/AMAC-1) are potent chemoattractants produced by macrophages, natural killer cells, fibroblasts, mast cells, CD4+ T cells, and CD8+ T cells.
HIV-1 Tat depresses DNA-PK(CS) expression and DNA repair and sensitizes cells to ionizing radiation. According to recent research from the People's Republic of China, "There is accumulating evidence that cancer patients with human immmunodeficiency virus-1/acquired immunodeficency syndrome (HIV-1/AIDS) have more severe tissue reactions and often develop cutaneous toxic effects when subjected to radiotherapy.
Viral suppression is maintained in HIV-1-infected HLA-B*57+ elite suppressors despite cytotoxic T lymphocyte escape mutations. According to a study from the United States, "Rare human immunodeficiency virus 1-infected individuals, termed elite suppressors (ES), maintain plasma virus levels of <50 copies/mL and normal CD4 counts without therapy.
HIV is detected in saliva by immunological and molecular testing methods. "In order to test the detection feasibility of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in saliva, a three-method blind screening analysis was conducted. Sixty-eight individuals were studied, comprising 34 HIV carriers and 34 noncarriers (controls) of matched gender and age," scientists in Greece report.
Approximately 9-10% of men exchanged sex for money within a 12-month period worldwide. In a recently published report, investigators in Belgium conducted a study to "estimate the proportion of the male population that reports having paid for sex in different regions.
A chemical taxonomy-based search engine is used to identify antiretroviral agents. According to recent research from the United States, “A novel technique to annotate, query, and analyze chemical compounds has been developed and is illustrated by using the inhibitor data on HIV protease-inhibitor complexes. In this method, all chemical compounds are annotated in terms of standard chemical structural fragments.
Lymphogranuloma venereum is a re-emerging sexually transmitted disease in persons with HIV/AIDS. According to a recent report from the United States, “Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV), or chlamydial proctitis, is a classic sexually transmitted disease with prominent gastrointestinal manifestations. The disease has received little attention in recent years, especially in relation to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.”
Maintenance of HIV-specific CD4 cells is associated with delayed disease progression in HIV-2 infection. According to a recently published report from England, “Unlike HIV-1-infected people, most HIV-2-infected subjects maintain a healthy CD4+ T cell count and a strong HIV-specific CD4+ T cell response.”
Reduced adherence only partly explains differences in viral suppression from various HAART regimens. In a recent report, researchers in Canada conducted a study to "examine differences among four protease inhibitor (PI)-based drug regimens in adherence to therapy and rate of achievement of virological suppression in a cohort of antiretroviral-naïve patients initiating highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).
HIV reverse transcriptase K65R mutation may emerge preferentially in the absence of zidovudine and thymidine analogue mutations. According to recent research published in the journal HIV Medicine, "The K65R HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) mutation is a multidrug resistance mutation which may be correlated with specific antiretroviral combinations and with the presence or absence of other RT resistance mutations.
Schistosoma mansoni infection is associated with progression to active tuberculosis in HIV-infected adults in Uganda. According to a recently published report from England, "Rates of tuberculosis (TB) in Africa are highest among people infected with HIV.
Nevirapine resistance decreases survival time associated with nevirapine-based antiretroviral therapy. "Nevirapine (NVP) resistance may decrease the effectiveness of viral suppression with NVP-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) in women infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with previous exposure to single-dose NVP. However, the alternative lopinavir-ritonavir-based ART regimen is more expensive," researchers in the United States report.
HIV patients receiving dialysis have an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. "Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is increasing in incidence in persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is not known whether the morbidity and mortality rate of ASCVD is similarly increasing among patients with HIV end-stage renal disease (ESRD), who are living longer since the initiation of newer therapeutic regimens in 1997.
Iron balance and iron-regulatory system alterations correlate with the progression of HIV and tuberculosis disease. According to a recent review from England, "There are many lines of evidence illustrating that iron plays a pivotal role in modulating the battle for survival between mammalian hosts and their pathogens. Each displays considerable genetic investment in a wide range of mechanisms for acquiring and maintaining iron.
The prevalence of HAART resistance is higher among recent versus established HIV infections in Canada. According to recent research from Canada, “Published results on primary or transmitted HIV drug resistance may be biased because they have been largely derived from specific cohort studies or higher risk individuals who present symptomatically.
Fumagillin suppresses HIV-1 infection of macrophages through Vpr activity inhibition. “HIV-1 viral protein R (Vpr) is one of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 encoded proteins that have important roles in viral pathogenesis. However, no clinical drug for AIDS therapy that targets Vpr has been developed,” investigators in Japan report.
APOBEC3G DNA deaminase acts processively 3'->5' on single-stranded DNA. According to recent research published in the journal Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, "Akin to a 'Trojan horse', APOBEC3G DNA deaminase is encapsulated by the HIV virion. APOBEC3G facilitates restriction of HIV-1 infection in T cells by deaminating cytosines in nascent minus-strand complementary DNA.
Syringe-exchange programs prevent transmission of HIV and other pathogens yet remain controversial. According to a recent report from the United States, “Injection drug users and their sexual partners and children represent an increasing proportion of Americans living with HIV or AIDS.”
Risk-based HIV testing does not detect the majority of infected persons in medical care settings. In a recently published report, investigators in the United States conducted a “retrospective review of newly diagnosed HIV-infected patients between September 2001 and December 2003” to “evaluate opportunities for earlier human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnosis within a comprehensive public health care system.”
High-density lipoprotein cholesterol is increased in a dose-dependent manner in HIV/AIDS patients on efavirenz therapy. In a recent article published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, scientists in Portugal conducted a study to “investigate the long-term effects of efavirenz on cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG).”
Protease inhibitor-containing HAART is associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery. "Data on complications of pregnancy associated with antiretroviral therapy are limited. Some small studies have demonstrated an increased preterm delivery rate, but a recent retrospective United States multisite study did not concur with these findings," scientists in the United States report.
HAART susceptibilities were determined for HIV-1 non-B subtypes. According to recent research from France, "Most studies on antiretroviral (ARV) resistance of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have been done on subtype B which only represent a limited proportion of infections worldwide." A study was conducted to understand "baseline susceptibilities to ARVs in non-B strains."
HIV-1 infected patients need higher doses of retinol to compensate for excessive urinary loss. According to a recently published study from Brazil, "Retinol deficiency is quite frequent in the population of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals. Serum retinol levels of less than 1.05 mc mol/L determine a 3.5 to 5 times higher death risk.
HIV infection is responsible for 49% of the disease burden in Zimbabwe. In a recent article published in the journal Tropical Medicine & International Health, scientists in Denmark conducted a study "To rank health problems contributing most to the burden of disease in Zimbabwe using disability-adjusted life years as the population health measure.
There is a positive association between HIV infection and filariasis and between malaria and HIV infection in Tanzania. "The relationship between HIV, lymphatic filariasis, malaria (Plasmodium falciparum) and intestinal helminths (Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm) was assessed in a cross-sectional study conducted in 2002 among 907 adults in Tanga Region, Tanzania.
An AIDS-associated Kaposi sarcoma prognostic index predicts mortality during the initial diagnosis. "AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma remains common in individuals with HIV-1 infection in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). We developed a simple model for predicting mortality on the basis of clinical characteristics present at the time of diagnosis of Kaposi's sarcoma," scientists in England report.
Lopinavir and ritonavir have limited penetration in the male genital tract. "The concentrations of lopinavir and ritonavir in seminal and blood plasma and the seminal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) viral load were quantified by HPLC and the Nuclisens assay, respectively, in a cross-sectional study of 16 HIV-1-infected Brazilian men under stable treatment with a lopinavir/ritonavir containing antiretroviral regimen.
Genotype-guided HAART in early HIV-1 infection may be effective against drug-resistant virus. According to a recently published report in the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, "Transmitted resistance to antiretroviral drugs in acute and early HIV-1 infection has been well documented, although overall trends vary depending on geography and cohort characteristics.
Phosphorothioate oligonucleotides inhibit HIV-1 fusion by blocking gp41 core formation. According to recent research from Canada, "Several studies have shown that phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides (PS-ONs) have a sequence-independent antiviral activity against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1).
Vaginal epithelial cells are implicated in heterosexual HIV transmission. According to a study from France, "Heterosexual human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission implies the crossing of the vaginal mucosa by virions present in the semen, potentially using Langerhans cells as transporters. The recruitment of these cells in the mucosa is mediated by the chemokine macrophage inflammatory protein 3 alpha (CCL20)."
HIV RNA in semen is lower in persons with HIV-2 compared with HIV-1 infection. "HIV-2 infection, in comparison with HIV-1, is characterized by lower plasma viral loads, slower CD4 cell count decline, decreased AIDS-related mortality, and lower rates of mother-to-child and sexual transmission.
HIV-1 transmission risks for parenteral exposure and blood transfusion in England was determined. According to a study from England, "The role of iatrogenic transmission within the HIV/AIDS pandemic remains contentious. Estimates of the risk of HIV transmission from injections and blood transfusions are required to inform appropriate prevention policy.
Remission of Kaposi's sarcoma is associated with HIV suppression and is independent of protease inhibitor therapy. According to a recent report from France, "Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) reduces the incidence and improves the prognosis of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). This study was designed to identify factors associated with KS clinical responses in HIV-infected patients during HAART."
HAART-associated facial lipoatrophy is corrected by polylactic acid implants. In a recent report published in the journal Archives of Dermatology, researchers in Italy conducted a study to "assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of facial injections of polylactic acid for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) 1-associated facial lipoatrophy, which commonly affects HIV-1-infected patients receiving combination antiretroviral therapy.
A HAART adherence intervention program results in decreases in HIV viral load. According to recent research from Australia, "The aim was to analyze data from two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to determine if an adherence intervention program for antiretroviral therapy (ART) resulted in a reduction in viral load.
Pravastatin and nelfinavir coadministration reduces pravastatin plasma levels. According to a study from the United States, "Nelfinavir, an HIV protease inhibitor with numerous drug-drug interactions, is associated with dyslipidemia. Pravastatin is the preferred statin prescribed for HIV-associated dyslipidemia."
Once-daily atazanavir/ritonavir has fewer adverse effects than twice-daily lopinavir/ritonavir in HIV/AIDS. According to recent research from England, "In BMS Study 045, once-daily (QD) atazanavir/ritonavir (ATV/RTV) demonstrated comparable efficacy and safety to twice-daily (BID) lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/RTV) over 48 weeks in treatment-experienced patients. Results of extended follow-up to 96 weeks are presented."
The matrix metalloproteinases inhibitor COL-3 is active and well tolerated in patients with AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma. According to a recently published study from the United States, "Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in tumor metastasis and are overexpressed in Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) cells.
Chromosome 2 carries a gene required for the production of infectious HIV-1. According to recent research from the United States, "Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) replicates only in certain primate cells. In murine cells expressing cyclin T1, a post-transcriptional block exists such that small amounts of capsid and little infectious virus are released. This block is relieved in part by fusion with human cells."
High intraindividual variability in antiretroviral levels may limit the utility of single measurements in therapeutic drug monitoring in HIV/AIDS. According to recent research published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, "Effective therapeutic drug monitoring for antiretrovirals requires a better understanding of intraindividual variability in pharmacokinetics.
HIV-1 replication is inhibited by artificial transcription factors targeting the primer binding site. According to recent research from the United States, "The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) primer-binding site (PBS) is a highly conserved region in the HIV genome and represents an attractive target for the development of new anti-HIV therapies.
HIV-1 pathogenesis predictions differ between three mathematical models. According to a study from the United States, "The dynamics of HIV-1 infection consist of three distinct phases starting with primary infection, then latency and finally AIDS or drug therapy. In this paper, we model the dynamics of primary infection and the beginning of latency.
Immunomodulants in association with HAART may lead to permanent viral suppression. According to a recent report from Italy, "The natural history of HIV infection has been greatly modified by the introduction of powerful antiretroviral agents that act on multiple steps of HIV replication. Thus, antiretroviral therapy (ART) has prolonged the life of HIV-infected individuals, significantly impacting on the progression to AIDS."
HIV-1/HTLV-II coinfection is associated with greater immunodeficiency. According to a recently published report from Mexico, "The HTLV-II infection has been reported in patients with HIV infection as often in asymptomatic as those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Decay rates of HIV-infected cell reservoirs decay little over several years. "The decay of HIV-1-infected cell populations after treatment with antiretroviral therapy has been measured using simple exponential decay models. These models are unlikely to be realistic over periods longer than a few months, however, because the population dynamics of HIV are complex," scientists writing in the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes report.
Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor and boosted protease inhibitor regimens provide the highest virologic success rates in HAART-naïve HIV/AIDS patients. In a recent report, researchers in the United States conducted a systematic "overview of genotypic resistance mutations from clinical trials of combination ART" to "identify optimal first-line therapies based on the rate of virologic success (VS) and the preservation of future treatment options in antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naïve subjects.
Nelfinavir-containing HAART is strongly associated with virologic failure in young children. "We sought to provide long-term data on the clinical, immunologic, and virologic response to highly active antiretroviral therapy in infants and children who are naïve to protease inhibitors.
CCR5 use by HIV-1 is associated closely with the gp120 V3 loop N-linked glycosylation site. "Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) enters cells through the chemokine receptors CCR5 (R5 virus) and/or CXCR4 (X4 virus). Loss of N-linked glycans and increased net charge of the third variable loop (V3) of the gpl 20 envelope glycoprotein have been observed to be important steps towards CXCR4 use," researchers in Sweden report.
A rapid HIV-1/2 antibody dipstick test utilizing oral fluid samples is sensitive and specific. "The testing and counseling of persons at risk for infection with HIV and their subsequent treatment remains the primary tool to curb worldwide transmission of the virus.
A dot blot assay is sensitive and specific for the confirmation of HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies. According to recent research from Iran, "A sensitive and accurate dot blot assay using recombinant p24 (gag), gp41 and gp120 (env) proteins of HIV-1 and also recombinant gp36, the specific HIV-2 antigen was developed to confirm the presence of antibodies in sera reactive in screening enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.
A statistical model predicts HAART response from reverse transcriptase and protease amino acid sequence data. According to recent research from the United States, "Genotype-phenotype modeling problems are often overcomplete, or ill-posed, since the number of potential predictors-genes, proteins, mutations and their interactions-is large relative to the number of measured outcomes.
Enfuvirtide once-daily dosing is bioequivalent to twice-daily dosing but has a weaker antiretroviral effect. In a recently published article, scientists in the United States conducted an open-label, randomized, multiple dose, two-period crossover study to compare the "pharmacokinetics, safety/tolerability and antiviral activity" of once-daily 180 mg enfuvirtide versus twice daily 90 mg enfuvirtide.
A soluble mimic of globotriaosyl ceramide analogue inhibits HIV infection. In a recently published report, investigators in Canada conducted a study to "determine the effect of a gp120 binding, noncytotoxic soluble analogue of the glycosphingolipid (GSL), globotriaosyl ceramide (Gb3) on HIV infection in vitro.
HIV-1 env evolves toward ancestral states upon transmission to a new host. According to recent research from the United States, "Selecting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) sequences for inclusion within vaccines has been a difficult problem, as circulating HIV strains evolve relentlessly and become increasingly divergent over time.
Discordance between interpretation algorithms for HIV genotypic resistance is subtype dependent. "The major limitation of drug resistance genotyping for human immunodeficiency virus remains the interpretation of the results. We evaluated the concordance in predicting therapy response between four different interpretation algorithms (Rega 6.3, HIVDB-08/04, ANRS [07/04], and VGI 8.0).
Social stigma and lack of resources prohibit HIV-infected mothers from using formula milk for their infants. In a recent report, researchers in South Africa explored "how the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic has affected the infant-feeding experiences of HIV-positive mothers in South Africa.
HIV-1 RNA helps guide patient selection for HAART in resource-poor settings. According to a study from Netherlands, "Scaling up access to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) requires eligibility criteria that safeguard treatment efficiency in resource-poor settings.
The HLA-B locus polymorphism influences the rate of HIV disease progression. According to recent research from the People's Republic of China, "Most HIV-1-infected individuals progress to AIDS within 8 to 10 years after seroconversion. Less than 5% of them, however, remain asymptomatic, although their CD4+ T-cell counts stay normal."
Onward transmission of HIV-1 non-B subtype is occurring in the United Kingdom. "An increasing proportion of new HIV diagnoses in the United Kingdom and other European countries are attributable to non-B subtype infections, mainly among black Africans with infections heterosexually acquired in sub-Saharan Africa.
Neurovirulent genotypes are progressively selected in the Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-infected brain. In a recent report, researchers in the United States conducted a study to "compare the viral genotypes present in RNA from brain and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and DNA from brain during acute, asymptomatic and late stages of SIV infection of macaques.
HIV-1 resistant strains acquired during primary infection fuel the cellular reservoir. According to a study from France, "Characterization of the early establishment of the viral reservoir in patients acquiring resistant strains at primary HIV-1 infection (PHI), and longitudinal analysis of resistance mutations in circulating virions and intracellular HIV strains.
A predominance of persons with advanced HIV in Southeast Brazil suggests a large pool of undiagnosed HIV infections. "Studies on the aspects of HIV infection in small Brazilian municipalities are invaluable to appropriately design control strategies, better allocate resources, and improve health care services.
Gender and race determine interpatient variability in plasma efavirenz levels. In a recently published article, scientists in the Netherlands conducted a study to "characterize the demographic and pharmacogenetic factors that influence interpatient variability in the plasma concentrations of the HIV non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor efavirenz. Data from all samples analyzed for efavirenz in our TDM service in 2002 and 2003 were reviewed."
Infant-only prophylaxis for HIV infection eliminates the development of nevirapine resistance in mothers and infants. According to recent research from the United States, "We analyzed the development of nevirapine (NVP) resistance in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected Malawian infants who received regimens containing single dose NVP (SD-NVP) for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV-1.
Genotypic and phenotypic clinical cut-off levels have been determined for ritonavir-boosted saquinavir. According to a study from England, "There is a need for new, clinically relevant interpretation algorithms for genotypic and phenotypic resistance for ritonavir-boosted saquinavir (SQV/r) at the current approved dosage [1000/100 mg twice a day (bid)].
C-reactive protein is a marker for HIV-1 disease progression. "Limited data on acute-phase C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection exist. We obtained a single measurement of CRP from 513 HIV-infected men in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study to examine the association between CRP and immune suppression and progression to AIDS.
HIV genotypic mutation frequencies were identified in HAART-treated children in the Cote d'Ivoire. In a recently published study, investigators in France conducted a study to "estimate the frequency of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) displaying genotypic drug resistance in highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)-treated children in Abidjan.
Lamivudine and small interfering RNA-M184V inhibits the replication of both wild-type and variant M184V viruses. According to a study from Germany, "RNA interference is a powerful tool used to inhibit human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication in vitro. Almost all HIV-1 genes have been targets for small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules, and HIV-1 replication can be specifically and successfully inhibited by this technique."
HIV-associated amyotrophic lateral sclerosis syndrome may improve following HAART. According to recent research from the United States, "A viral etiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has been proposed because of the selective vulnerability of motor neurons to certain viruses. During the last 20 years, at least 19 cases of ALS or ALS-like disease have been reported in HIV-1 (HIV) seropositive individuals."
Pertussis toxin B-oligomer suppresses interleukin-6-induced HIV-1 and chemokine expression via activator protein-1 inhibition. "Pertussis toxin B-oligomer (PTX-B) inhibits HIV replication in T lymphocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages by interfering with multiple steps of the HIV life cycle.
HIV-1 and HIV-2 have different replication kinetics in macrophages. "This study compares the replication of primary isolates of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) and type 1 (HIV-1) in monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs). Eleven HIV-2 and five HIV-1 primary isolates that use CCR5, CXCR4 or both coreceptors to enter cells were included," researchers in the United Kingdom report.
Three of eight mutations in an atazanavir/ritonavir genotypic resistance score predict a reduced response in HIV-infected patients. In a recently published study, investigators in Switzerland conducted a study to "develop a clinically relevant genotypic resistance score for boosted atazanavir (ATV) in protease inhibitor-experienced patients.
HIV-1 K103N mutation after HAART withdrawal has little impact on viral fitness. According to recently published research from Italy, "To investigate the dynamics of the K103N mutation following the withdrawal of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), we selected the HIV-infected patients with the mutation at the time or after the failure of an NNRTI-containing regimen from an observational database.
Genetic variants in associated host genes may play an important role in susceptibility to HIV-1 infection. "Some individuals are readily infected with low human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) exposure, whereas others appear less susceptible, suggesting that host genetics plays a role in the viral entry pathway. The matched case-control study design with measured risk exposures provides an avenue for discovering genes involved in susceptibility to infection," researchers in the United States report.
Some patient groups have a less rapid relative decline in AIDS incidence than other patients in their first year on HAART. In a recent report, researchers in England conducted a study to "describe the rate of new AIDS events over the first year of HAART in patients with different characteristics and to describe the decrease in incidence of AIDS between the first and second 6 months of the year in these patients.
HIV protease mutations predict virological response of HIV-infected children to lopinavir/ritonavir salvage regimens. "Lopinavir/ritonavir is a protease inhibitor (PI) that has shown great effectiveness as salvage therapy in PI-experienced HIV-infected children." In a recently published report, investigators in Spain conducted at study to determine "whether mutations in the HIV-1 protease gene can reliably predict virological responses to salvage therapy with lopinavir/ritonavir in HIV-infected children."
There is a high prevalence of human papillomavirus infections in urine samples from HIV-infected men. According to recent research from the Netherlands, "Infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the resulting immunosuppression are associated with an increased risk for human papillomavirus (HPV) persistence and related malignancies.
The efficacy and cost effectiveness of HAART and antibiotic treatment has been estimated for the prevention of early and late HIV/AIDS progression. "As HIV/AIDS drugs are becoming more widely available in Southern Africa, we compared the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of different treatment options, using a Markov Monte Carlo simulation model based on published estimates of disease progression, treatment effectiveness, and health care costs.
Genotypic and phenotypic resistance typing results are concordant among HIV/AIDS patients. According to a study from Switzerland, "Data on genotypic and phenotypic resistance testing of HIV-1 in the routine clinical setting are lacking. In a retrospective single-center study, all patients (n=102) for whom genotypic resistance typing (GRT) and phenotypic resistance typing (PRT) were performed during the calendar year 2002 were examined."
The Cobas Ampliscreen HIV-1 test detected a blood donor seroconversion from a minipool of 16 patient specimens. "The introduction of nucleic acid amplification technology (NAT) for screening pooled or individual donations remarkably improved the safety of blood products. The size of minipooled NAT is considered critical for identification of HIV-1 infected donors during preseroconversion phase of infection," scientists in Italy report.
Recent HIV-1 seroconverters are more likely to have transmitted drug resistance. In a recently published report, investigators in England conducted a study to "examine factors influencing the rate of transmitted drug resistance (TDR) among seroconverters, with particular emphasis on 3 widely used genotypic drug resistance algorithms.
Ritonavir increases systemic exposure of prednisolone. "Corticosteroid therapy has been associated with bone toxicities (e.g., osteonecrosis) and Cushing syndrome in HIV-infected patients; this may be partially attributable to a pharmacokinetic drug interaction between HIV protease inhibitors and corticosteroids.
Bifunctional HIV-1 inhibitors simultaneously block CD4 and CCR5 receptors. According to a study from Germany, "Two receptors, CD4 and one of several chemokine receptors, are required for cellular HIV-1 infection, with CCR5 being the main coreceptor for macrophage-tropic strains. "We have designed bifunctional fusion proteins, consisting of RANTES/CCL5 and a single-chain Fv Ab fragment against CD4 to simultaneously block CD4 and CCR5."
Drug-resistance mutations were identified in HAART-naïve HIV-infected patients. In a recent report, researchers in Mexico conducted a study to "describe the prevalence of baseline drug-resistance mutations, resistance to antiretroviral drugs, and the subsequent virological response to therapy in treatment-&naïve patients from Mexico with established HIV-1 infection.
Zidovudine plasma levels increase when dosed as a prodrug in liposomal form. According to recent research from People's Republic of China, "Liposomes accumulating in the reticuloendothelial system (RES) appear to be a promising vehicle to improve the therapeutic index of anti-HIV drugs such as zidovudine (AZT).
Indirubin-3'-monoxime inhibits positive transcription elongation factor b function and HIV-1 replication. In a recent report, researchers in the United States conducted a study to "evaluate the effects of the cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor indirubin-3'-monoxime (IM) on Tat-mediated transactivation function, a step of the HIV-1 cycle that is not currently targeted in antiviral therapy."
Obtaining antiretroviral drug refills via pill organizers dispensed by a pharmacist improves HAART adherence. "Strict adherence to antiretroviral therapy is instrumental in viral suppression and treatment success. The relation between pharmacy-based factors and treatment adherence has been underexplored. We aimed to determine whether different medication refill mechanisms were associated with differences in antiretroviral refill adherence.
South African GB virus C genotypes inhibit HIV replication. "GB virus C (GBV-C) is a common, apparently nonpathogenic human flavivirus that has been associated in some studies with prolonged survival in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive persons.
Zidovudine plus lamivudine given pre/intra/postpartum is the most effective regimen in reducing mother-to-child HIV transmission. According to recent research published in the journal AIDS, "Peripartum antiretroviral regimens have been shown to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV (MTCT) in randomized clinical trials; however, direct comparison of published results is impossible given methodological and population differences."
The M89I/V protease mutation is linked to therapy failure in patients with HIV-1 non-B subtypes C, F or G. In a recently published report, investigators in Belgium conducted a study to "investigate whether and how mutations at position 89 of HIV-1 protease were associated with protease inhibitor (PI) failure, and what is the impact of the HIV-1 subtype."
Genetically distinct HIV-1 quasispecies persist in monocytes and CD4 T cells during prolonged HAART. According to recent research published in the journal AIDS, "Reservoirs of HIV-1 are a major obstacle to virus eradication. There is therefore a need to clearly understand the molecular nature of the virus populations that persist in patients with sustained suppression of plasma viremia on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)."
The prevalence of primary HIV infection was estimated among symptomatic ambulatory patients. "Recognizing primary human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is important for public health. The prevalence in outpatient settings is largely unknown but would be useful in developing testing guidelines," scientists in the United States report.
HIV virions without the nucleocapsid still contain significant amounts of RNA. "RNA appears to be required for the assembly of retroviruses. This is likely due to binding of RNA by multiple Gags, which in turn organizes and stabilizes the Gag-Gag interactions that form the virion," researchers in the United States report.
Genetic variants may predict virologic failure and/or emergence of drug-resistant HIV. "Efavirenz and nelfinavir are metabolized by cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 2B6 and CYP2C19, respectively, with some involvement by CYP3A. Nelfinavir is a substrate for P-glycoprotein, which is encoded by MDR1. The present study examined associations between genetic variants and long-term responses to treatment," scientists in the United States report.
Interruptions of shorter periods are unlikely to allow restoration of mitochondrial DNA. According to recent research published in the journal AIDS, "HIV infection per se and HAART can alter mitochondrial functionality, leading to a decrease in mitochondrial DNA content.
Replication-competent HIV persists in patients with uninterrupted HAART. According to recently published research from the United States, "The persistence of latently infected, resting CD4+ T cells is considered to be a major obstacle in preventing the eradication of HIV-1 even in patients who have received effective antiviral therapy for an average duration of 5 years.
HIV-infected nonimmune adults are at increased risk of severe malaria. "Conflicting reports exist regarding the impact of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on the risk of severe malaria. We aimed to assess the effect of HIV infection status, advancing immunosuppression, and antimalarial immunity on the severity of malaria," investigators in South Africa report.
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