Posts tagged HIV
HIV Drug That Treats Other Infections
10 years ago
by ADMIN
in HIV and HPV
HIV Drug That Treats Other Infections: Medication Re-Purposing
You may be familiar with the idea of re-purposing: Just spend some time on Pinterest and you can find all sorts of ideas on ways to reuse items for fashion, home décor, furniture and the like. Repurposing can work for medication as well. Take, for example, some of the antiretroviral drugs that are helping HIV-infected patients have a more normal life expectancy. We have now identified an HIV drug that treats other infections.
A recent study showed one of these drugs can be effective against one of the most prevalent and dangerous diseases of our time. Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a widespread sexually transmitted disease and an imminent danger due to its strong link to cervical cancer in women. The combination of the rapid spread of this disease across the country (and the whole world) combined with the sheer number of cancers it can cause, has made this a matter of public concern.
A study in Kenya showed that people are three times more likely to end up with HIV if they have ever been infected with HPV. Because of the prevalence in that nation of people ending up with both conditions, studies were conducted in order to see if any HIV drugs in particular would be effective against HPV. A ‘two birds with one stone’ approach, if you will. It was found that the HIV therapy drug Lopinavir could help treat HPV, even if the patient was already in a precancerous stage. This is certainly good news. Hopefully, once the drug has finished clinical trials, it can begin commercial use in the U.S. to help those with HPV.
Finding an HIV drug that treats other infections is clearly good news. However, prevention is far better than a cure. So, what can we do to protect ourselves? A vaccine for HPV exists and it is important to use this option to protect yourself from the virus and from the cancers that HPV can cause. Of course, you should check with your doctor and see if this is the best option for you.
Interfering with HIV
10 years ago
by ADMIN
in HIV Research
Interfering with HIV: Nef and HIV
Although progress against HIV has been slow, we seem to be in a new era, as we are beginning to reap the benefits from our years of research. Certainly, advancements have been made across the board. Perhaps this can best be illustrated by the lengthened life expectancy for people diagnosed with HIV. Increased life expectancy is the result of a number of factors. Some of these factors are greater understanding of the disease, new therapies and, especially, the effective cocktail of antiretroviral drugs that is now available. Many of these therapies are directly interfering with HIV and its ability to infect cells, thus keeping HIV from progressing to AIDS. Certainly, living with a chronic condition such as HIV, instead of facing a terminal illness, is a major advancement.
As stirring as this reality is, there is always the need for better treatment options. Moreover, as the fight against the disease has progressed, researchers are now facing viral mutation of HIV. This has led to certain strains of HIV that are developing resistance to antiretroviral therapies. This difficult challenge facing researchers has led to an exciting discovery; one which could lead to new drug therapies.
Nef is a protein that is not new in HIV research. However, it has received renewed focus as alternative mechanisms of HIV infection have been uncovered. Nef has an important role to play in the infection of cells, as it binds itself to other proteins in a cell. When this happens it then becomes impossible for anything else to enter and infect that cell. Because of a more complete understanding of this process, researchers now believe it may be possible to take advantage of the protein. The idea is for a drug to enter and bind with Nef, thus disabling HIV’s ability to infect other cells. We might describe this as an ‘immobilizing’ tactic. Moreover, this should work with already developed therapies. This type of therapy has an added benefit, as it would not have to harm the human cell. This is because the drugs would be targeting the HIV protein site.
New pharmaceuticals could be created effectively interfering with HIV and its ability to further infect the cell. Having this ability would make treating HIV much more effective. When we add to this the fact that healthy cells would not be affected, it is easy to see why researchers are so excited.
HIV Trancytosis Provides New Answers
10 years ago
by ADMIN
in HIV Research
New Light on HIV-1 Transcytosis
Researchers have long been working to find ways of eradicating HIV and finding a solution to the viral epidemic. Whether help comes in the form of a vaccine, new treatment or therapy, the goal is to figure out a way to stop transmission and infection. In light of certain scientific breakthroughs, there is promise. One study helped map out the actual transmission and infection of HIV-1 for the first time.
A recently concluded study followed HIV-1 on its journey from transmission from the genital tract to infection. By seeing how the virus traveled, changed and eventually infected its host, scientists hope to find a way to stop HIV before it spread. However, what they found was not what they had anticipated: Seeing as the fluid in the genital tract is acidic, scientists reasoned that lowering pH levels would somehow affect transmission. Also, scientists have always known the virus to be coated with antibodies, especially as it traveled. By neutralizing these antibodies and lowering pH levels, HIV-1 actually performed better. Transcytosis aided these changes almost twentyfold. This was unexpected, but new information is always a step towards finding a cure.
Researchers also found another aide in the transcytosis process: antibodies. A certain receptor was found that bound and then released immune complexes. This receptor binds when the pH level is acidic and releases a neutral pH. Traces of this particular receptor were later found in one the cells of the genital tract, proving that this theory is correct. Scientists now have new information that can allow them to continue in their quest to battle HIV.
HIV Life Expectancy Increases and Gives Hope to the Medical Community
10 years ago
by ADMIN
in HIV Research
Increased Life Expectancy for Individuals with HIV
There is good news on the horizon from research done over the life expectancy of HIV-positive patients. It was not too long ago that a diagnosis with HIV meant a drastically shortened life span; therapies, treatments and other variables have, however, slowly been developing over the past few years, making a drastic impact on the health and overall well being of those living with HIV. Information culled from studies over the past decade now paints a positive picture of the present and a hopeful one for the future.
Over 10 years ago, a study followed 23,000 HIV-positive individuals of Canadian and American backgrounds. Researchers tracked the life expectancy of each as the years passed. All participants were being treated with antiretroviral therapy (or ART) and were over 20 years old. Past clinical and social information were also gathered to see what bearing this would have on one’s mortality. Factors such as drug abuse, other illnesses and the time ART was started were all taken into consideration. The results were positive: In general, those being treated with ART for HIV were showing to have a life expectancy catching up to that of the general public.
10 years ago, the life expectancy of an HIV-positive person was around 50 years. Today, however, it is at nearly 70 years or greater. A healthy lifestyle, such as one devoid of drug abuse, is one reason for this increase. Another major factor is beginning ART early on, particularly when viral counts are lower. Both these things combined greatly increase one’s chances of living a full and healthy life. Advancements are being made and payoffs are beginning to show, with the future looking up for those who are HIV positive.
HIV and Secondary Health Conditions Prolong Hospital Stays, Incurring More Cost
10 years ago
by ADMIN
in HIV Research
HIV and Secondary Conditions Lengthen Hospital Stays
With medical costs on the rise, reducing hospital stays and expenses are in the best interests of all involved. Researchers decided to investigate how hospital stays differ for those who have HIV and secondary conditions. In an effort to organize and better manage time and resources, a study was conducted on the length, cost and complications of certain hospital stays. The results could help medical institutes come up with ways to better care for their patients, especially those with multiple medical issues.
In particular, HIV patients with secondary conditions—those that could become critical—were observed because their stays differed from those of the other patients. These were then broken down into categories, depending on infirmity. Conditions such as mental illness, obesity, hypertension and diabetes were looked at, with particular focus on the first. The reason for this special attention was that research showed that up to 50 percent of HIV patients also suffer from some form of mental illness.
The statistic has to do with the patients’ average age. Unfortunately, patients with HIV were much younger than those without HIV, with the difference being nearly a decade. Next, of the patients with HIV admitted to the hospital with a secondary condition, 7 percent died in the hospital. The time spent admitted in the hospital was 60 percent greater with HIV patients. The cost was much higher, too—over 75 percent more, in fact, than patients with no HIV infection.
These numbers show that education, reorganizing and planning may be necessary to reduce some of these numbers. This would mean that patients with HIV and secondary conditions might be able to reduce the amount of time spent in the hospital, thus reducing costs too. Awareness of the needs and severity of illness of HIV patients benefits not only the patients themselves but will help focus resources for medical institutions as well.
