HIV Research
HIV Directly Linked to Heart Disease
10 years ago
by ADMIN
in HIV Research
HIV and Heart Disease
HIV and heart disease seem to go hand in hand. It’s very common for an HIV-positive person to present with some form of cardiac disease. Just why this is and how it happens, however, has remained somewhat of a mystery. In order to help clarify why this is so, a study was conducted to see if HIV and the heart were actually related or if it was all just coincidental.
One theory as to why heart diseases such as hypertension and HIV are commonly seen together is that HIV tends to trigger an inflammatory response. This adversely affects the vascular system when it becomes a chronic issue. In order to gauge the factors that contribute to this, a study followed 65 HIV-positive patients. All participants had shortness of breath to some degree, and each was given an echocardiogram to determine his or her cardiac functions. After the tests and other risk factors were taken into consideration, it was noted that nearly half of the participants had some form of cardiac dysfunction or disease.
A review of the findings revealed some interesting pieces of information. Gender, age and whether or not AIDS was present had little to no effect on the level of cardiac dysfunction a patient had. The variable that seemed the most conclusive involved the amount of viral load in the blood. Patients with a high viral load were those with the most progressive level of heart disease. Those who had limited or undetectable traces of infection fared much better. The latter presented with no disease, or with heart disease that was just at the beginning stages.
Conclusive evidence exists that HIV, especially one presenting a high viral load in the blood, is directly related to the presence of heart disease. Armed with this knowledge, the medical community can, therefore, screen patients with HIV for heart disease and use viral load as an indicator for the probability of the development of cardiac dysfunction.
New HIV Strain Shown to Be More Aggressive Than Previously Known Types
10 years ago
by ADMIN
in HIV Research
New HIV Strain Leads to Faster Disease Progression
Newfound information has been found that certain forms of HIV is showing to be more aggressive than older, previously known strains. HIV has been around for quite some time, but new forms of the disease are coming to light. Currently there are about 60 known strains of the virus, with specific virus strains prevalent throughout certain regions. Each geographical location hosts about two strains of HIV. However, it is possible for a person infected with one strain to be infected with a different type as well. When this happens, a recombined form can appear.
These recombinant forms have the medical world on high alert. After recent studies, scientists have noticed a growing trend of more aggressive forms of HIV taking place. Globalization in the form of immigration has also played a role in taking strains of the virus out of one area and moving into other areas, introducing new strains to each other. The recombinant forms of these viruses have been the focus of current research.
The strain recombinant A3/02 is the combined strain of two forms of HIV common in West Africa. However, when closely observed and studied, the mutant virus proved itself more destructive than its predecessors. Researchers noticed a faster progression towards the development of AIDS as well, taking only five years for the disease to manifest. This is much faster than previously seen with older strains. Scientists fear that with the passage of time, and more recombinant forms coming into existence, the more we will see a change in the way HIV functions and reacts. This is especially the case when it comes to treatment, since these new types are more resistant to certain therapies.
More follow up is needed to completely understand the dynamic nature of these new HIV strains. Further study will help researchers discover what types of recombinant forms already exist and how to deal with these changes.
HIV and Parenting
10 years ago
by ADMIN
in HIV Research
With advances in modern medicine and therapies, babies who have had HIV passed on to them from their parents are surviving into young adulthood. This is a big step forward, indeed; not too long ago, HIV would have claimed their lives well before they reached their teens.
While this is good news and shows definite progress in the battle against the virus, there are several social implications. Researchers interviewed young adults aged 18-23 who had perinatally-acquired HIV (or PAH). What they found was a natural desire to have a family and raise children of their own. Certain issues regarding such choices, however, make these types of decisions difficult. Therefore, these young people are looking for answers as to how to go about planning their futures.
Each person interviewed expressed the desire to have children. While this was what they wanted, concerns over how to tell their partners about HIV, and eventually their children, posed a dilemma. They wanted families of their own but were unsure as to how to go about it. Especially weighing on them was the risk of transmitting HIV to their children. Most were worried about the long-term effects on their relationships, both with potential partners and their children.
Another area of consideration researchers took into account was cultural background. For example, certain African cultures place importance on having children, and those with PAH naturally want their own families and are also pressured socially to do so. In light of this, researchers see an urgent need for education, emphasizing information on communication and making filial and relationship decisions.
The medical advances against HIV have given many people a chance at a normal life and bright future. Along with this, though, comes a new set of issues. Finding a way to impart important information on making good life decisions is what researchers and physicians are hoping to look into.
New Light on Cardiovascular Disease in HIV Patients
10 years ago
by ADMIN
in HIV Research
Atherosclerosis has been noted in HIV patients. For a while it had been thought that certain therapies like antiretroviral therapies (ART) may have been contributing factors; other factors included smoking. New research is showing that this may not necessarily be the cause of cardiovascular disease in each case.
Studies have been conducted on HIV-positive patients in regard to smoking, ART and cardiovascular disease. However, the results were muddled, and understanding the exact nature of the relationships between each factor remained unclear. In a newer, recently-concluded study, some of these relationships were cleared up.
A group of participants were followed for 2 years consisting of HIV-positive patients, some who had never had ART, and others who were currently on the therapy. Neither group contained smokers—actually, no participant had ever smoked. There was also a control group of 50 individuals with no history of HIV infection. Each person was tested as to their cardiovascular health by measuring the thickness of their carotid intima-media. This precursor to arteriosclerosis would give insight as to which individuals were most at risk. What researchers found was that those most at risk for cardiovascular disease were patients who had been infected with HIV for over 8 years. This included those who had never been on antiretroviral therapy.
Those with a long history of HIV infection had more inflammation and were less receptive to anti-inflammatory drugs. This is significant because this weakened response is common in those at risk for cardiovascular disease.
Researchers still need more information, and this was only a small study. They have found, however, that longer infection time increases a person’s risk for atherosclerosis. While this is true, they are not saying that HIV is the cause. More research is needed to determine the other risk factors involved.
Congress Passes HOPE Act
10 years ago
by ADMIN
in HIV Research
The law recently passed has made it possible to lift a ban on organ donors who are HIV-positive. The HOPE (HIV Organ Policy Equity) Act was finally passed. The law is for those who wish to donate their organs, even if they are HIV-positive. These organs are then given to fellow HIV-positive patients who are experiencing organ failure and are in need of a transplant. There are a number of issues that helped this law to pass, and here is a look at some of these, along with some of the benefits.
To begin with, the number of those needing an organ transplant is greater than the actual number of available organs, and this shortage creates waiting lists. In the meantime, modern medical therapies have greatly helped those with HIV to lead normal and healthy lives. This being the case, there are fewer deaths from HIV. However, there is a rise in the number of kidney and liver failures among those who are HIV-positive. This is becoming the number one cause of death amongst those living with the virus.
Each group in the case benefits with the passing of the HOPE Act: Organ donors who are HIV-positive can now donate and contribute in ways that they want to; the organ pool will now have hundreds (if not more) organs to choose from. This reduces the wait time for those in need of a transplant. For persons needing an organ who do not have HIV, the odds are now pushed in a more favorable direction as well: There are less people on the wait list, and the number of organs being donated is greater.
Medical research on how to better get HIV-positive organs into patients will further develop guidelines. In turn, better understanding of HIV-positive interactions between organs and patients should help increase the success rate of a transplant.
