News from aidsmap
Long-acting injectable version of the most popular HIV drug combination is possible
Researchers at the University of Washington in Seattle say they have cracked the challenge of creating a long-acting injectable form of the world’s most commonly prescribed antiretroviral combination, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, lamivudine and dolutegravir, often known as TLD.
Defective HIV particles may drive inflammation despite long-term viral suppression
People with HIV experience ongoing low-level inflammation which may contribute to worsened health outcomes compared to the general population, however, it has been challenging to pin it down on an exact cause. Findings of a collaboration of scientists from the US National Institutes of Health link the persistent inflammation seen in people with HIV to defective HIV particles. Their work also confirms the presence of the virus’ components despite undetectable status as described in the journal AIDS.
HIV diagnoses in England increasing, but long-term trend uncertain
HIV diagnoses rose in England in 2022, but much of the increase was due to the arrival of people with HIV already on antiretroviral treatment rather than an increase in HIV transmission, the UK Health Security Agency reported last week in its annual report on HIV in England.
Mpox vaccination reduces the likelihood of hospitalisation
Receiving at least one dose of the MVA-BN vaccine significantly reduced the likelihood of being hospitalised with mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) for both HIV-positive and HIV-negative people, according to a study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the California Department of Public Health, published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Greater weight gain in first year of HIV treatment raises risks of diabetes, metabolic syndrome and precursors of heart disease
Greater weight gain and changes in body composition in the first year after starting antiretroviral treatment were associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes and metabolic syndrome over nine years of follow-up among participants in several large clinical trials, study investigators report in Clinical Infectious Diseases.
Very poor long-term outcomes for people with TB and HIV in eastern Europe
The rates of tuberculosis (TB) recurrence and mortality in people with HIV in eastern Europe remain concerningly high and continue to be a clinical and public health challenge, according to a paper published in AIDS. In the first study to report on long-term follow-up of people with TB/HIV co-infection in eastern Europe, one in seven people had TB again and over half died.
Social determinants of health result in staggering AIDS inequalities in Brazil
Education, poverty, and race have an undeniable link to AIDS-related outcomes in a study of nearly 30 million Brazilians, according to researchers from the Federal University of Bahia. Their findings show that people who are not well educated, poor and Black are at a higher risk of being diagnosed with AIDS and dying as a result.
HIV and the ageing process
It’s suggested that HIV can speed up the ageing process, but it's not certain and it's likely to vary greatly between people.
People with HIV do have high rates of some age-related conditions. There’s a lot that you can do to reduce your risk of these conditions and diseases occurring.
Find out more about HIV and the ageing process in our recently updated page.
Editors' picks from other sources
Why do transmascs still struggle to get on PrEP? | Xtra Magazine
Studies show that trans masculine people are more likely to be living with HIV than the general population – but they still face barriers accessing prevention care.
PEPFAR limps into uncertain future after failure of US congress to authorise five-year plan | Health Policy Watch
The failure of the US Congress to reauthorise a five-year budget for the world’s largest aid programme for global health, the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), by its 30 September deadline doesn’t mean that it will automatically end – but without broad bipartisan support, it limps into an uncertain future.
UNAIDS welcomes new decision in Colombia allowing more affordable access to quality HIV medicines | UNAIDS
Colombia makes landmark decision to declare the HIV medicine dolutegravir of public interest, allowing the country to purchase or manufacture more affordable, generic versions of the live-saving HIV medicine
HIV drugmaker will pay $246 million to settle suit over generic meds delay | Courthouse News Service
Gilead Sciences will pay US$246.75 million to customers who purchased the drugs Truvada or Atripla, or any of the two drugs’ generic versions, during a period of about five years.
UK's first consumption room for illegal drugs given go-ahead | BBC News
The UK's first official consumption room for illegal drugs including heroin and cocaine has been approved by authorities in Glasgow.
Fears of hidden HIV epidemic in eastern Ukraine as war takes its toll | The Telegraph
Infections are thought to be spreading in the occupied territories, where testing has all but stopped.
Kenya: This is what it's like to be ageing with HIV | The Standard
There is a group of people who were diagnosed with the disease in the early 90s, lived the challenges, and are now ageing with the virus.
Coming soon: news from EACS 2023
The 19th European AIDS Conference, organised by the European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS), is taking place in Warsaw, Poland from 18 to 21 October.
NAM aidsmap is delighted to be continuing its partnership with EACS as the official scientific news reporter for the conference.
HIVR4P virtual symposia
HIVR4P 2024, the 5th HIV Research for Prevention Conference, will take place in Lima, Peru in October 2024. This month though, you can attend a virtual symposia series, previewing some of the HIV prevention science you can expect at HIVR4P next year.
On Wednesday 11 October, the session will be on HIV vaccine research and on Monday 16 October, the future of broadly neutralising antibodies.