News from aidsmap
As AIDS recedes, HIV stigma evolves in rural South Africa
Widely available antiretroviral therapy (ART) in rural South Africa has led to dramatic decreases in AIDS-related mortality over the last few years. A new qualitative study has revealed that HIV is now seen as a ‘preferred’ chronic illness when compared to cancer, diabetes and hypertension. However, this research also questions whether these shifts have led to a real decrease in HIV-related stigma, or if it is simply less noticeable due to those living with HIV being less conspicuous in the era of widely available and highly effective ART.
Baltic neighbour states far apart on HIV prevention
High rates of needle and syringe provision, HIV testing and antiretroviral treatment have greatly reduced new HIV infections in Estonia since 2000 – but in the neighbouring Baltic state of Latvia, HIV infections continue to rise. The two nations provide a stark contrast in how to tackle an HIV epidemic driven by injecting drug use.
Hepatitis C elimination in France feasible if new infections in gay and bisexual men decline
Hepatitis C is becoming more concentrated in gay and bisexual men with HIV in France as direct-acting antiviral treatment cures the infection in other people with HIV while hepatitis C transmission between gay and bisexual men increases, French epidemiologists report in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.
Hepatitis C declining among drug users in UK
The prevalence of hepatitis C in people who inject drugs has fallen modestly in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and sharply in Scotland since 2016, Public Health England reports. Around one in four people who inject drugs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland has hepatitis C, and one in five in Scotland.
Similar rate of severe clinical outcomes with two drug vs three drug HIV treatment combinations
A large study from across Europe and Australia has shown similar results for severe clinical outcomes when comparing two drug and three-drug regimens to treat HIV. Clinical outcomes investigated included death, AIDS and cancer and showed no statistically significant differences in these outcomes between two drug and three-drug regimens.
No sex during lockdown? Gay men in London say otherwise
An online survey found that COVID-19 restrictions impacted access to sexual health services, sexual behaviour and mental health of HIV-negative gay men in London. Survey respondents reported many risk reduction strategies, such as increased sexting, having fewer sex partners, and discussing COVID-19 risk and transmission with partners. However, self-reported sexual activity remained high.
History of anogenital warts associated with risk of anal cancer among people living with HIV
A history of anogenital warts is associated with an increased risk of anal cancer among people with HIV, US researchers report in JAMA Dermatology. Having had anogenital warts was associated with an almost 13-fold increase in the detection of cancerous anal cells. A nadir, or lowest ever, CD4 cell count below 200 was a risk factor for anal cancer, regardless of a history of warts.
High rates of starting and staying on PrEP in pregnant South African women, despite barriers
High initiation and persistence on PrEP has been documented in pregnant women in Cape Town, South Africa, with 91% of those offered PrEP starting it and nearly half of those continuing to take PrEP six months later. While women who had given birth and those reporting side effects were less likely to stay on PrEP, there was a strong desire to avoid HIV infection for themselves and their infants, especially when their partner’s serostatus was unknown.
Where next for HIV vaccines and antibody therapies?
In the search for an HIV vaccine and for other immune-based therapies, the last 12 months have seen a major disappointment and a modest success. The disappointment came last year when the Uhambo/HVTN 072 vaccine trial was terminated due to lack of efficacy. The modest success came a year later when it was announced that the AMP study, the first-ever efficacy trial of a so-called broadly neutralising antibody (bNAb), VRC01, produced a modest reduction in HIV infections, but a 75% reduction in the class of viruses most sensitive to it.
Antibiotics to prevent STIs – for or against?
There is ongoing scientific debate regarding how best to prevent, manage and reduce rates of STIs. A possible future option is STI prophylaxis – taking medications either prior to, or shortly after, exposure to an STI in order to prevent infection. However, this raises concerns regarding the development of antibiotic resistance, which would render medications less effective at treating STIs. Experts presented their opposing views to the virtual HIV Research for Prevention (HIVR4P) conference.
New podcast series: Tell Me About It
Our new podcast series 'Tell Me About It' launched last week. The six-part series features honest, funny and open conversations about what it really means to live with HIV today, and how much that’s changed.
In our first episode, Susan Cole of NAM and Dr Halima Begum, Director of Runnymede, talk about HIV and health inequalities, racism and HIV stigma in health care, life-changing developments in HIV treatment and what we can do to make sure public systems respond to everyone’s needs. Runnymede is an independent race equality think tank in the UK.
Episode 2 will be available on Wednesday this week. It features activist and educator Rich Watkins with actor Jonathan Blake, one of the first people to be diagnosed with HIV.
Editors' picks from other sources
How we improved the COVID vaccine rollout for people living with HIV | Terrence Higgins Trust
Terrence Higgins Trust's Chief Executive Ian Green talks about how they lobbied UK governments to give people living with HIV the option to access the potentially life-saving COVID-19 vaccine through their HIV clinic.
The Lancet: USA failing to reach populations most in need of HIV prevention and treatment services as epidemic grows in the south and rural areas | EurekAlert
People who are part of racial, sexual, and gender minorities continue to be affected by HIV at significantly higher rates than White people, a disparity also reflected in the COVID-19 pandemic.
How was a COVID-19 vaccine found so quickly? | UNAIDS
As COVID-19 vaccination begins around the world, UNAIDS spoke to Peter Godfrey-Faussett, UNAIDS Senior Science Adviser and Professor of International Health and Infectious Diseases at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, about what is holding up an HIV vaccine.
ViiV Healthcare receives Marketing Authorisation for Rukobia (fostemsavir), a first-in-class attachment inhibitor in combination with other antiretrovirals for the treatment of adults with multidrug-resistant HIV | ViiV Healthcare press release
Fostemsavir addresses a critical need in HIV care for those with little to no treatment options left who are at risk of further disease progression, or complications from HIV.
aidsmapCHAT
We broadcast the final episode in our third series of aidsmapCHAT on 11 February. Our guests were HIV doctor and health activist Dr Oni Blackstock; HIV and LGBT activist Josh Robbins; and HIV doctor and Chair of the British HIV Association Dr Laura Waters.
You can watch the final episode and others in the third series on aidsmap and our social media channels.