HIV/AIDS

Individuals living with HIV are at an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases, such as myocardial infarction, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death, among others.  A literature review published by Clinical Microbiology Reviews presents a detailed examination of the clinical and mechanistic evidence linking HIV with increased cardiovascular risk, discusses the implications for various cardiovascular disease...

In the fight against HIV, a computer projection model finds that offering pre-exposure prophylaxis through community-based methods shows promise for reaching more people.  A modeling study was carried out to find ways to make pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) more accessible by integrating HIV self-testing. While self-testing allows people to check their HIV status privately, there’s concern...

The detection of opportunistic infections in individuals newly diagnosed with HIV serves as an indicator of the gaps in awareness and timely testing for HIV.  Global initiatives have significantly enhanced early HIV detection. However, despite the strides, in many parts of the world, late diagnosis and the prevalence of opportunistic infections persist.   A retrospective study...

A nurse-led strategy effectively reduced blood pressure and cholesterol levels in people with HIV in a randomized trial. People with HIV (PWH) have a higher atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk, but they face unique barriers to its prevention, such as changing models of HIV primary care. A randomized clinical trial published in JAMA Network Open evaluated...

Exercise training and diet therapy improved physical fitness and salivary testosterone levels in an interventional study of people living with HIV/AIDS. Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Exercise and nutrition constitute important components of treatment protocols and rehabilitation care for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). However, no thorough...

Patients shifting from an oral regimen to injectable cabotegravir plus rilpivirine demonstrated a significant improvement in total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in a recent retrospective cohort study; however, there were no significant changes in inflammatory biomarkers. Long-acting cabotegravir plus rilpivirine, administered via injection into the gluteus muscle, has a higher satisfaction rate compared to antiretroviral therapy...

HIV-1 cannot be cured even with decades of antiretroviral therapy. A new cohort study shows that the inducible, replication-competent reservoir does not decline even with prolonged antiretroviral therapy. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has helped suppress the HIV-1 virus to almost undetectable levels among those who adhere to the treatment. There are many people living with HIV...

A new randomized clinical trial shows that pitavastatin or other statins may help reduce major cardiovascular events in those living with HIV. These benefits are not just due to LDL cholesterol reduction. HIV significantly increases atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease incidence in those living with HIV. Studies suggest that those living with HIV have twice the risk...

The 2023 updated report by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force found that oral tenofovir alafenamide-emtricitabine or injectable cabotegravir were slightly superior to older tenofovir disoproxil fumarate-emtricitabine pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention. In 2019, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) report confirmed that oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) using tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) alone or...