A new antibody therapy shows promise in suppressing HIV infection

A new antibody therapy shows promise in suppressing HIV infection

In first human study, new antibody therapy shows promise in suppressing HIV infection – In first human study, new antibody therapy shows promise in suppressing HIV infection. The new study, conducted in Michel Nussenzweig’s Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, finds that administration of a potent antibody, called 3BNC117, can catch HIV off guard and reduce viral loads.

Aggressive HIV recombinant strain progress to AIDS within 3 years

An aggressive form of HIV uncovered in Cuba – One recombinant variant observed in patients in Cuba appears to be much more aggressive than other known forms of HIV. Patients progress to AIDS within three years of infection – so rapidly that they may not even realise they were infected.

Low cholesterol slows HIV progression

Low cholesterol in immune cells slows HIV progression – Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh have identified why some HIV-infected people experience much slower disease progression, even without medication, and it has to do with cholesterol levels in specific immune cells.

HIV fresh cases reduced by 52%

UNAIDS reports a 52% reduction in new HIV infections among children and a combined 33% reduction among adults and children since 2001 – UNAIDS shows dramatic acceleration towards reaching 2015 global targets on HIV. New HIV infections among adults and children were estimated at 2.3 million in 2012, a 33% reduction since 2001. New HIV infections among children have been reduced to 260 000 in 2012, a reduction of 52% since 2001.

HIV screening for all adults, adolescents, and pregnant aged 15-65

US Task Force Says Screen All Adults, Adolescents, and Pregnant Women for HIV – New recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) urge physicians to screen all adults and adolescents aged 15 – 65 for HIV. In addition, all pregnant women should receive screening, even those who are in labor but have not yet been screened.

Bee venom nanoparticles may destroy HIV

Bee venom nanoparticles may destroy HIV

Nanoparticles loaded with bee venom kill HIV
– Nanoparticles carrying a toxin found in bee venom can destroy human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) while leaving surrounding cells unharmed, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have shown. The finding is an important step toward developing a vaginal gel that may prevent the spread of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

HIV infected child appears to have been cured of HIV infection

Toddler ‘functionally cured’ of HIV infection, NIH-supported investigators report — Discovery provides clues for potentially eliminating HIV infection in other children – This is the first well-documented case of an HIV-infected child who appears to have been functionally cured of HIV infection. A two-year-old child born with HIV infection and treated with antiretroviral drugs beginning in the first days of life no longer has detectable levels of virus using conventional testing despite not taking HIV medication for 10 months.

Option B+ prevents mother to child transmission of HIV

Innovative policy to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV shows positive impact — New approach in Malawi dramatically increases the number of mothers on treatment – The number of pregnant and breastfeeding women in Malawi with HIV who started life-saving antiretroviral treatment increased by more than 700 percent in one year. The new treatment option, called Option B+, offers all pregnant or breastfeeding women infected with HIV lifelong antiretroviral treatment (ART), regardless of the stage of their HIV infection.

Health Newstrack