New approach to treat HIV, AIDS
Indiana University discovery may provide new approach to HIV treatment – Researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine have identified a potential new target in the war on HIV/AIDS.
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is an infectious disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It was first recognized in the United States in 1981. AIDS is the advanced form of infection with the HIV virus, which may not cause recognizable disease for a long period after the initial exposure (latency). No vaccine is currently available to prevent HIV infection.
Alcohol consumption may keep disabilities at bay
Light to moderate consumption of alcohol may help prevent the development of physical disability in old age. – It is well known that moderate drinking can have positive health benefits – for instance, a couple of glasses of red wine a day can be good for the heart. But if you’re a senior in good health, light to moderate consumption of alcohol may also help prevent the development of physical disability.
Pk antigen in blood raises resistance to HIV
Researchers identify potential new weapon in battle against HIV infection – Researchers have discovered a potentially important new resistance factor in the battle against HIV: blood types. An international team of researchers from Canadian Blood Services, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and Lund University in Sweden have discovered that certain blood types are more predisposed to contracting HIV, while others are more effective at fending it off.
Public private partnership in health sector
Health Minister invites diaspora to join in developing healthcare – Indian Health Minister Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss has called for public-private partnership in health sector to meet the gap between supply and demand.
109 medicines, vaccines in development for HIV AIDS
109 medicines and vaccines now in development for HIV/AIDS by America?s pharmaceutical research companies. – America’s pharmaceutical research companies are testing 109 medicines and vaccines to treat or prevent HIV/AIDS and related conditions, according to a report released by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).
?15 m for South Africa in new struggle against AIDS
The UK is a leader in the global effort to tackle AIDS. In South Africa, DFID Is concluding a major 5-year programme on AIDS and has spent ?30 million to strengthen AIDS responses at national and provincial level. – South Africa’s revitalised drive against AIDS today received a ?15 million boost which could help save millions of lives and stop the spread of HIV across the country.
Routine HIV testing fails in US
Despite national guidelines, private insurers, ER, federal and state agencies fail to routinely test for HIV. New data at national summit show that routine testing would lower record numbers of ‘late testers,’ save lives and reduce transmission. – While the U.S. AIDS epidemic simmers largely unnoticed by most Americans, a failure to widely implement routine HIV testing continues to fuel its spread, HIV researchers and experts said.
A man defeated HIV virus through bone marrow transplant
Millions of people infected with HIV may hope for healing promises, as a patient who has had undetectable HIV viral loads for almost two years after bone marrow transplant. – An HIV-positive person, who underwent a bone marrow transplant to treat leukemia, has had undetectable HIV viral loads for almost two years. HIV-positive man was ill from leukemia and had underwent treatment by the team led by Prof. Eckhard Thiel, director of the Medical Clinic with a focus on hematology and oncology.
HIV infected patients should start HAART sooner
Study suggests HIV infected patients should start highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) sooner. – Under current treatment guidelines, highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) should be considered for HIV-infected patients when their CD4+ T-cell counts fall below 350 cells per cubic millimeter (mm3).
Estimating lives lost due to delay in HIV drug use in South Africa
Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) estimate lives lost due to delay in antiretroviral drug use for HIV/AIDS in South Africa. – More than 330,000 lives were lost to HIV/AIDS in South Africa from 2000 and 2005 because a feasible and timely antiretroviral (ARV) treatment program was not implemented, assert researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) in a study published online by the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes (JAIDS) (http://www.jaids.com/).
Antiretrovirals with TB treatment reduces mortality in HIV patients
Antiretroviral therapy with TB treatment for HIV patients reduces mortality up to fifty five percent. – A South African treatment study conducted by researchers in the Department of Epidemiology at the Mailman School of Public Health shows that mortality among TB-HIV co-infected patients can be reduced by a remarkable 55%, if antiretroviral therapy (ART) is provided with TB treatment at the same time.
UN hails recipients of Nobel Prize for discovering HIV
The United Nations has applauded the awarding of the 2008 Nobel Prize for Medicine to two French scientists for their discovery of HIV. – The United Nations has applauded the awarding of the 2008 Nobel Prize for Medicine to two French scientists for their discovery of HIV and for their subsequent pioneering research into the virus.