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.
1 shot of gene therapy and children with congenital blindness can now see — Leber’s congenital amaurosis (LCA) – Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and the Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia have used gene therapy to safely improve vision in five children and seven adults with a rare form of congenital blindness.
HIV care providers applaud Congress’ extension of Ryan White program – The U.S. Congress has extended the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, helping to ensure that more than half a million low-income, uninsured, or underinsured people living with HIV/AIDS have access to lifesaving care.
HIV vaccine regimen demonstrates modest preventive effect in Thailand clinical study – In an encouraging development, an investigational vaccine regimen has been shown to be well-tolerated and to have a modest effect in preventing HIV infection in a clinical trial involving more than 16,000 adult participants in Thailand.
High HIV infection rate among Soweto Township gays – New research from UCSF examining HIV among men (MSM) in the township of Soweto in South Africa has found that a third of gay-identified men are infected with HIV.
Homeopathy, Homeopathic medicines and H1N1 flu – a rational approach is needed in promoting homeopathy as prophylactic medicine for Influenza A H1N1 flu. – H1N1 numbers are increasing in India, and a new picture is emerging of its spread. The cumulative laboratory confirmed deaths reported by the Indian Govt as on 26th August 2009 is 75.
GSK announces new commitments to fight HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa – special focus on care and treatment of children – GlaxoSmithKline’s CEO Andrew Witty announced a series of new initiatives targeted at improving research, development, and access to HIV/AIDS medicines for children in Sub-Saharan Africa and supporting healthcare for people living with HIV and AIDS.
Study may explain why HIV progresses faster in women than in men with same viral load — Pathways related to elevated immune activation could lead to new treatment strategies. – One of the continuing mysteries of the HIV/AIDS epidemic is why women usually develop lower viral levels than men following acute HIV-1 infection but progress faster to AIDS than men with similar viral loads.
The World Health Organization grants prequalification to Cervarix: GSK?s vaccine to help combat cervical cancer in developing nations. – The World Health Organization (WHO) has awarded prequalification to Cervarix, GlaxoSmithKline’s cervical cancer vaccine. GlaxoSmithKline pharmaceutical company applied for WHO prequalification of Cervarix 2 years ago.
Researchers find possible environmental causes for Alzheimer’s, diabetes — Call for reducing nitrate levels in fertilizer and water, detoxifying food and water. – Increased levels of nitrates in our environment and food increases disease risks including Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes mellitus and Parkinson’s disease, revealed by researchers.
HIV-1 damages gut antibody-producing immune cells within days of infection – A new research from the NIAID-funded Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology suggests that HIV-1 is anything but ? moving at breathtaking speed in destroying and dysregulating the body’s gut-based B-cell antibody-producing system.
FDA: Boxed Warning on Serious Mental Health Events to be Required for Chantix and Zyban – Smoking cessation drugs Chantix and Zyban are causing unusual changes in behavior, depression, and suicidal thinking in those who have taken these drugs to quit their smoking habits.
A new weapon in the war against HIV-AIDS: Combined antiviral and targeted chemotherapy – HIV-AIDS could be treated through a combination of targeted chemotherapy and current Highly Active Retroviral (HAART) treatments, revealed by researchers.
