Current HIV Research - Volume 10, Issue 3, 2012

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Bacterial vaginosis (BV) and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) infections are both very common and are associated with increased risk of sexual transmission of HIV. There are several mechanisms by which BV and TV could affect susceptibility including inducing pro-inflammatory cytokines and disrupting mucosal barrier function. This review highlights recent advances in our understanding of how these genital conditions lea Read More

Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC), a major cause of pelvic inflammatory disease, can facilitate HIV transmission. In response to GC infection, genital epithelial cells can produce cytokines, chemokines and defensins to modulate HIV infection and infectivity. GC can also induce the production of cytokines and chemokines in monocytes and modulate T cell activation. In vivo, an increase in the number of endocervical CD4+ T cells Read More

Among the now pandemic sexually transmitted infections (STIs), Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is the predominant bacterial pathogen and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is the most lethal of the viral pathogens. The female genital tract is the primary site for heterosexual transmission of both C. trachomatis and HIV-1. Infection with C. trachomatis, and with a variety of other STIs, increases th Read More

Over the last thirty years, epidemiologic and molecular studies indicate a strong and synergist relationship between the dual epidemics of herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) and HIV-1 infection. While prospective studies show that HSV-2 infection increases the risk for HIV-1 acquisition by 2- to 3-fold, HSV-2 suppression with standard prophylactic doses of HSV-2 therapy did not prevent HIV-1 acquisition. Reconciling these discrepa Read More

A wide variety of infections, including bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa occur in the immunocompromised condition associated with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Although these opportunistic infections are believed to arise as an effect of the immunodeficiency, these microbes sometimes promote the disease progression of HIV-1 infection b Read More

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Objectives: To determine the anemia prevalence and the correlation between complete blood count (CBC) analysis and renal function parameters in HIV-1-infected population. Methods: It was a single-center study set in Warsaw (Poland) over a 3-year period. The study was performed in 214 adult HIV-1- infected patients (180 males and 34 females, aged from 20 to 69 years old, mean age 39.55 years, 130 on combined antire Read More

HIV-infected individuals have excess rates of invasive pneumococcal disease. We investigated risk factors for nasopharyngeal pneumococcal colonization at baseline and after 9 months in 96 HIV patients immunized twice with 7- valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine ±1mg CPG 7909. In total, 22 patients (23%) were colonized, 11 at baseline only, four at both baseline and 9 months, and seven at 9 months only. Compared Read More

Background: The disease profile of treatment-experienced HIV-1 patients (TEPs) looks different today compared with that of 5 years ago. Because less highly treated DUET patients may more closely resemble today's TEPs, we conducted a post hoc efficacy and safety analysis of the pooled 96-week DUET data stratified by level of treatment experience. Methods: TEPs with HIV-1 were randomised to etravirine (ETR) 200mg twice Read More

Small changes in the wording of health related recommendations about Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) can significantly influence their impact. In this paper, we review advances in research investigating the content and structure of these framed messages. We also summarize the results of a recent longitudinal study examining the effects of a brief risk awareness intervention (i.e., a brochure) targeting young adult Read More

Genotypic resistance test has been recommended to evaluate HIV drug resistance and guide the effective regimens of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in HIV-infected patients with treatment failure. In patients with multiple treatment failures, drug resistance-associated mutations may disappear due to the loss of selective drug pressure after switching regimens. A cohort study was conducted among HIV-infected patients who had Read More