Deep dive into HIV’s hidden DNA finds that some people could eventually drop their drugs

Eighteen months ago, aidsmap.com reported on a study that suggested a mechanism behind some people’s ability to control their HIV without drugs. A new study, published in the scientific journal Cell, used sophisticated probes to uncover every bit of HIV genetic material hidden in the cells of six patients. It goes a long way towards finding out how this happens naturally – which is a first step in finding out how to ‘Block and Lock’ ongoing HIV infection permanently.

Big increase in recent PrEP users among new HIV cases, largest UK clinic reports

London’s 56 Dean Street, the largest sexual health clinic in Europe, has just reported its latest data on new HIV diagnoses. They show that while the number of new diagnoses among its users continued to fall in 2020, the proportion who had been recently taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) considerably increased.

HIV clinicians should ask gay men if they want to become fathers

Healthcare professionals should avoid making assumptions about gay men’s parenting desires, report Dr Robert Pralat of the University of Cambridge and colleagues in the BMC Public Health. The London study shows that healthcare professionals are less likely to discuss parenting options with gay men than women and heterosexual men. The study also found that gay men rarely instigated conversations about parenthood with their HIV care team.

Further evidence that COVID breakthrough infections are more common in people living with HIV

A new study provides more evidence that people living with HIV who are vaccinated against COVID-19 are more likely to experience a breakthrough COVID infection compared to HIV-negative people. The good news is that – across the board – fully vaccinated people had less severe COVID illness than unvaccinated people.

Integrating lay counsellors into routine HIV care improved mental health symptoms in Mozambique

A study found that almost half of people newly diagnosed with HIV in Mozambique suffered from mental health issues. Among those, a third of people saw mental health symptoms decline by more than a half after several counselling sessions with lay providers. Mental health symptoms decreased by nearly 75% in those who participated in five counselling sessions.

One in five new cases of HIV and hepatitis C in people who inject drugs due to unstable housing in US and UK, modelling shows

Unstable housing among people who inject drugs may be responsible for up to one in five new infections with HIV or hepatitis C in the United Kingdom and the United States, a global modelling study has found.

Hepatitis B may increase cancer risk in people with HIV

People with both HIV and hepatitis B have a higher rate of non-liver cancers compared to other people with HIV, a large European study has found. The study investigators say that people co-infected with HIV and hepatitis B may need extra screening for some common cancers. The study found that the rate of non-liver cancers was 23% higher in people with HIV and hepatitis B compared to people with HIV alone.

Will increasing viral load testing reduce HIV transmission through breast milk in low- and middle-income countries?

Following general viral load testing guidelines for adults may lead to just under a third of pregnant women with HIV knowing their viral load. In an analysis piece for the BMJ, Professor Ameena Goga and colleagues from the South African Medical Research Council argue that frequent testing of maternal viral load is needed to prevent HIV transmission through breast milk.

Public opposition to same-sex marriage associated with poorer sexual health and HIV outcomes

HIV and sexual health outcomes among gay and bisexual men in Australia are worse in areas where there is greater opposition to same-sex marriage, according to a recent study. Amongst other findings, it reported that a gay or bisexual man living with HIV in the district most strongly opposed to same-sex marriage was 8% less likely to be on antiretroviral therapy than someone living in the district with the least opposition to same-sex marriage.

Patients who developed advanced HIV in DRC and Kenya ‘slipped through the cracks’ of health and social structures

Hospitalised patients with advanced HIV in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Kenya sought care multiple times as their health declined without receiving adequate services. In both countries, they ‘slipped through the cracks’ of health and social support structures, missing opportunities for timely management of HIV. This is according to qualitative research carried out by Dr Rose Burns from the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and colleagues, published in AIDS Care.

US: Gilead says counterfeiting network sold $250 million worth of its HIV drugs | Reuters

Gilead Sciences Inc said an unauthorised network of drug distributors and suppliers sold pharmacies more than $250 million of counterfeit versions of its HIV treatments, including versions of Biktarvy and Descovy, over the last two years, endangering patients.

Pioneering chemsex activist and campaigner dies suddenly: 'We owe him a huge debt' | Pink News

David Stuart, a pioneering advocate, activist and support worker who coined the term “chemsex” and worked tirelessly to help the LGBT+ community with substance misuse, has suddenly died.

UK: How engaged in HIV Care are pregnant women? | Contagion Live

There is a high level of engagement in HIV care observed among pregnant women, which displays a commitment to their health and wellbeing during their pregnancy, the study authors wrote.

In Southern Africa, success against HIV offers hope for beating back another virus | The New York Times

A former Africa correspondent, who covered the height of the AIDS epidemic there 15 years ago, finds lessons in the remarkable progress against that virus for our current fight.