Posts tagged HIV/AIDS
The Effect of Contraceptives on HIV Transmission
9 years ago
Ongoing debates over injectable contraceptives for HIV prevention, and the idea that there is an increased risk of contracting HIV when using such, have been escalating. Researchers have found their studies inconclusive – some reports show that risk increases and some claim that it does not. So why the discrepancies, and what is the biological reason for such findings?
To start, the contraceptive being accused of aiding the transmission of HIV is known as Depo-Provera or DMPA. Reports that it increases the risk for HIV infection are growing, yet studies come up with data that is contradictory. To determine the real risk, along with an explanation, a thorough investigation was made. Over 800 women were analyzed. All started out HIV free and were enrolled in family planning clinics. The women were divided into three groups. One group used oral contraceptives, the other DMPA, and the final group did not use hormonal contraceptives. Later, 200 of the participants became infected with HIV. A look at the vaginal flora of the women within each group gave researchers the explanation they had been searching for.
For each group, there were those with a healthy vaginal environment and those with infections from either parasites, bacteria, or fungi. Further, it was confirmed that those taking the DMPA contraceptive presented with more changes to the immune system, which meant more vaginal infections, increased inflammation, and an increased risk of contracting HIV. The compromised vaginal state proved a poor resistor to infection, including contracting HIV. Certain protein levels are known to attract and aid HIV in spreading. However, the results of this study also showed that certain oral contraceptives could alter the immune system or suppress it. This too can lead to environmental changes within the vagina that can lead to easier transmission of HIV.
It is the hope of those researchers that the information from this study will move institutions to educate their patients and their partners. That way individuals can make informed choices about the types of contraceptives they decide to use, especially for HIV prevention. Thus, spread of HIV can be slowed and hopefully, in many cases, prevented.
An Ounce of Prevention Could Save Tons of Money in the War on HIV
9 years ago
by ADMIN
in HIV Management
A study performed in Canada showed that every dollar a community spent on HIV-prevention methods resulted in saving five dollars in treatment. Over the past 25 years, programs costing about $1.3 billion dollars have resulted in approximately $6.5 billion less in treatment. That is a tremendous savings for an already financially burdened health care system. Let’s take a look at why prevention is so cost effective as opposed to treatment.
The Economic Burden of HIV
HIV treatments now allow patients to live a long, full life. That is good news for patients, but financial burdensome for health care systems because it means patients receive treatment for years longer than they once did. For example, in the US, it costs, on average, more than a quarter of a million dollars to treat an HIV positive person over the course of their lifetime, some costing as much as $400K. The same holds true in Canada with lifetime treatment costing a little over $285,000 USD per patient.
Where Community-Based Programs Prove Most Effective
Preventative programs are generally run by local and national non-profit groups. These organizations work to provide ongoing:
- Education
- Prevention
- Support Services
These programs target at-risk groups including, but not limited to:
- Homosexual men
- Those who use injectable drugs
- HIV endemic populations
Other Prevention Savings Considerations
The researchers claim that not all of the HIV-prevention methods were taken into account in the study and that even more savings took place than was recorded. Specifically, claims are made that an additional 70,000 infections were prevented by other programs. This resulted in an additional $25 billion in health care savings. This includes a treatment option that was released back in 1997 called highly active antiretroviral therapy, or HAART. Three or more drugs are combined for HAART treatment, and these medications delay the onset of HIV symptoms, preventing the disease from progressing into AIDS.
Deadly Lymphoma Now Has Potential Treatment for HIV Patients
9 years ago
by ADMIN
in HIV Management
Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a deadly and incurable form of lymphoma that is specific to those with HIV/AIDS. A researcher, however, has recently determined that a drug already approved by the FDA and on the market for treatment of multiple myeloma may actually be more effective at treating PEL as part of the HIV treatment.
Once the researchers discovered that existing medications can help fight PEL, the search was on to see what other existing cancer treatments would also be effective. That is when they decided to look into BRD4 inhibitors. These inhibitors, when combined with the immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) for multiple myeloma worked exceptionally well in the lab as anti-PEL treatment.
The problem with PEL is that there have been no treatment options up to this point. Combine this with the fact that the disease is very fast moving, and most patients do not survive half a year after diagnosis. Current attempts at treatment are all IV drugs and are very toxic to the patient. These drugs are expensive and very difficult to administer in remote parts of Africa where the condition is the most prevalent.
The research, however, does not mean that patients can go out and get multiple myeloma treatment if they currently have PEL. It means that clinical testing will now begin to see if this combination of medications could, in fact, be effective. The fact that all of the drugs involved have already been approved by the FDA should help things move along rather quickly in the testing phase.
While this is not one of the more common diseases on earth and is even rare among HIV treatments, it is certainly one that has a high mortality rate. It is satisfying to see research going on that helps a very select group of individuals, even though the need for such medication will not drive the same earnings as treatment for a more common condition.
Cocaine’s Effect on the Immune System and HIV Infection
9 years ago
Research out of UCLA links cocaine use to a weakened resistance to HIV. What was involved in the study? And what does it mean by at-risk individuals? Read on to learn how cocaine use increases your chances of HIV infection.
It is well documented that there are surprising similarities between the immune systems of mice and humans. That makes them the perfect test subject when it comes to studying infection and deadly diseases. Therefore, a study that had previously only been performed in a dish has now been tested with live subjects. What was the result? Let’s consider the process first.
In previous lab tests, it was determined that the use of cocaine over a period of just three days is enough to affect the immune system. The body starts out with cells that can put up quite a fight with HIV. These immune cells are called CD4 T cells. The cocaine exposure, however, blocks the normal working of these cells by stimulating two of the cell’s receptors.
For five days, mice were given injections. Half were given cocaine, and the other half was given a placebo with saline. Next, HIV was introduced via injections, and then the cocaine/placebo routine continued for another 14 days. At the end of the study, they not only discovered that the mice who were given cocaine had higher concentrations of the virus in their system but also that nearly half of the mice given a placebo had undetectable amounts of the disease.
The CD4 T cells, however, were not affected as suspected. On the contrary, it was the CD8 T cells that seemed to cease functioning. Either way, though, the fact remains that cocaine made it tougher for the immune system to defend itself against HIV.
This study continues to highlight the connection between illicit drug use and HIV infection. It reveals that anyone who uses cocaine is placing themselves at higher risk for infection. While ceasing drug use is the best option, frequent testing is important for one who pursues an at-risk lifestyle.
HIV Outbreaks Spur Calls for Lifting Needle Exchange Ban
9 years ago
The drug scene in this country is changing and not for the better. Injection drug users are on the rise, just not where most expected. What was once contained and limited to larger, populated areas is now spreading to the most rural backdrops. Due to this surge, HIV outbreaks have been sprouting in what some would have considered, unlikely regions. Take for example a small agricultural county in Indiana.
This small county, bordering Kentucky, averaged just a few cases of HIV per year in the past. In the first half of this year, however, 169 new cases were reported – a drastic change. To add to that, 80% of those infected with HIV have been infected with Hepatitis C as well.
Experts long feared that this shift in demographic would bring about these tragic consequences. Drug abuse is now common among rural, predominantly white areas. Another alarming statistic shows that the number of male and female abusers are about equal. Along with injecting drugs comes the increased risk of spreading HIV. While proven methods in the past have effectively faced these challenges, one such method has a federal funding ban on it. Needle exchange programs worked well in the past to ensure that those who used needles would not pass them on to other users. A filled prescription for a needle could be refilled once the used needle was returned. It is a simple concept, but it worked and worked well.
The issue at hand is that there is currently a ban on federal funding for these programs. Without funding, the programs cease to run. Anyone with needle prescriptions can simply toss or pass along the used item. It is precisely these actions that have health officials worried that more HIV outbreaks in small communities will be making headlines. The call now is for a lift on this ban in hopes of stemming the changing tide.
As for the small Indiana community, the state governor has allowed funds to go into the needle exchange program for that county. The rest of the state will not be receiving the same benefits. The funding for each county is conditional: that is, based on need.
