Spanish study raises possibility that old-style tenofovir might protect against COVID-19

Rates of COVID-19 are lower among people with HIV taking antiretroviral therapy compared to individuals in the general population, Spanish researchers report in the online edition of the Annals of Internal Medicine. Moreover, the incidence of COVID-19 was especially low among HIV-positive individuals whose antiretroviral combination included tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF).

COVID-19 casts a shadow over progress on TB

Efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic have inadvertently affected tuberculosis (TB) programmes and other aspects of non-COVID healthcare, according to two recent commentaries, published in Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials and Tropical Medicine and Health. The linkages between COVID-19, TB and HIV are most pronounced in sub-Saharan Africa, where TB is the leading cause of death for people with HIV. Nonetheless, the impact has also been felt in the high income setting of the United Kingdom.

Why aren’t more black African and Caribbean women in the UK on PrEP?

Black African and Caribbean women living in the UK report low levels of knowledge regarding the benefits and effectiveness of taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV infection. Peer networks have a strong impact on women’s decisions regarding sexual health, while HIV-related stigma and institutional racism act as barriers towards accessing PrEP.

Higher risk of lung function impairment in men living with HIV

According to a US study in the 1 July issue of AIDS, HIV-positive men are at a higher risk of abnormal pulmonary gas exchange than HIV-negative men. These data reinforce the evidence that people living with HIV are more exposed to lung function impairment than HIV-negative individuals.

Very weak evidence base for antiretrovirals for treatment and prevention of COVID-19, say senior HIV doctors

Widely reported claims about the effectiveness of antiretroviral drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 have an extremely poor evidence base, two senior HIV doctors wrote in HIV Medicine earlier this month. The authors’ analysis shows that rigorous clinical trials and peer review remain essential during the current global health emergency.

Malawian women keen to join HIV prevention trials during pregnancy

Researchers in Malawi interviewed women to explore their views about joining HIV prevention trials during pregnancy and found that many women would want to take part in PrEP studies if they were asked. Pregnant women are among those who most need access to safe and effective HIV prevention or PrEP, but pregnant women are almost always excluded from taking part in clinical trials.

A quarter of people living with HIV have hypertension

A quarter of people living with HIV have hypertension (high blood pressure), an international team of investigators report in the Journal of Hypertension. The researchers synthesised the results of 194 separate studies conducted between 2007 and 2017. The prevalence of hypertension was highest in North America and central and western Europe, but over half of people living with HIV and hypertension are in sub-Saharan Africa.

High levels of drug resistance among infants newly diagnosed with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa

Pre-treatment drug resistance data for infants newly diagnosed with HIV from nationally representative surveys conducted between 2011 and 2016 in nine sub-Saharan African countries showed high levels of resistance to NRTIs in first-line paediatric antiretroviral regimens.

US Supreme Court upholds curb on overseas AIDS funding | Reuters

The US Supreme Court today ruled that a 2003 law does not violate constitutional free speech rights by requiring overseas affiliates of American-based nonprofit groups that seek federal funding for HIV/AIDS relief to take a formal stance opposing prostitution and sex trafficking.

Is curing AIDS worth the risk? | Politico

Advances in prevention and treatment have not only lessened the urgency in finding a vaccine or cure for the disease; they’ve complicated the clinical trials needed to prove that a potential breakthrough is effective.

COVID-19 could affect the availability and cost of antiretroviral medicines, but the risks can be mitigated | UNAIDS

UNAIDS study shows that the impact on production and logistics caused by COVID-19 could have a significant effect on antiretroviral therapy supply worldwide, but steps taken now could lessen the damage done.

Challenges and similarities in HIV, COVID-19 crises: A Q&A With Anthony Fauci, MD | American Journal of Managed Care

To mark the 25th anniversary of The American Journal of Managed Care, each issue in 2020 will include a special feature: an interview with a thought leader in the world of health care and medicine.