A Cedar Rapids man was sentenced to 35 years in prison today for sexually abusing three boys and potentially exposing them to HIV.
Ronald Lord pleaded guilty in July to three counts each of third-degree sexual abuse and criminal transmission of HIV.
Lord admitted he sexually abused the teenage boys between September 2005 and August 2006. However, his attorney argued that Lord prevented the boys from getting HIV because he used condoms.
Defense recommended a 25-year sentence, while prosecutors recommended 55 years.
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Saturday, September 22, 2007
New Law Aims To Get More Mainers Tested For HIV
The new law eliminates the need for people to get pre-test counseling for an HIV test. It also eliminates the need for people to sign a separate consent form for an HIV test.
Supporters of the new law say it will encourage more people to get tested for HIV by streamlining the process.
"We want people to start thinking about HIV testing as something pretty routine to have it done at least once and for some people more than once," said Dr. Eric Steele. "If you make it easy, we think we'll find more people out there that have HIV and don't know it. If we can do tha,t we can get those people earlier treatment, which is a good thing. It extends their chances of living longer and it reduces the chances of them passing it on to somebody else." read more
Supporters of the new law say it will encourage more people to get tested for HIV by streamlining the process.
"We want people to start thinking about HIV testing as something pretty routine to have it done at least once and for some people more than once," said Dr. Eric Steele. "If you make it easy, we think we'll find more people out there that have HIV and don't know it. If we can do tha,t we can get those people earlier treatment, which is a good thing. It extends their chances of living longer and it reduces the chances of them passing it on to somebody else." read more
Moxico: Health Official Calls for HIV/AIDS Combat
The acting health director of eastern Moxico province, Simão de Amaral Friday appealed to the society for the combat to the HIV/AIDS scourge in the region.
The appeal was launched at the ceremony of signing contracts of partnerships between the British NGO "Oxfam" with other four local organisations, with view to implement projects of combat to the disease, with the financing of the European Union.
Simão de Amaral urged partners for a rigorous management of the project so that the beneficiaries feel the positive efforts of the donation. read more
The appeal was launched at the ceremony of signing contracts of partnerships between the British NGO "Oxfam" with other four local organisations, with view to implement projects of combat to the disease, with the financing of the European Union.
Simão de Amaral urged partners for a rigorous management of the project so that the beneficiaries feel the positive efforts of the donation. read more
Wait for HIV/AIDS drugs in S.C. ends
Hundreds of South Carolinians with HIV/AIDS who were waiting for lifesaving medicines can take their lives off hold thanks to a healthy dose of funds from the Legislature.
The AIDS Drug Assistance Program waiting list, which started mid-2006 and grew to 567 in April, has been cleared.
“We’re very pleased that finally we have been able to eliminate our waiting list after more than a year,” said Lynda Kettinger, director of the Department of Health and Environmental Control’s STD/HIV division. “It has been a very challenging time for patients, local providers and our staff.”
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The AIDS Drug Assistance Program waiting list, which started mid-2006 and grew to 567 in April, has been cleared.
“We’re very pleased that finally we have been able to eliminate our waiting list after more than a year,” said Lynda Kettinger, director of the Department of Health and Environmental Control’s STD/HIV division. “It has been a very challenging time for patients, local providers and our staff.”
read more
Drug company suspends HIV vaccine work
International drug company Merck has suspended work on an experimental vaccine that was regarded as one of the most promising in the fight against HIV, the virus that can lead to AIDS.
Testing of the drug has stopped after a monitoring panel judged it to be ineffective.
The experiment called 'STEP' began three years ago, enrolling 3,000 volunteers.
All of them were initially free of HIV but they were at high risk of contracting the virus.
Most were homosexual men or female sex workers and Merck says they were repeatedly counselled about how to reduce their risk of HIV infection.
read more
Testing of the drug has stopped after a monitoring panel judged it to be ineffective.
The experiment called 'STEP' began three years ago, enrolling 3,000 volunteers.
All of them were initially free of HIV but they were at high risk of contracting the virus.
Most were homosexual men or female sex workers and Merck says they were repeatedly counselled about how to reduce their risk of HIV infection.
read more
NeurogesX Completes Enrollment in Confirmatory Phase 3 Clinical Trial for Painful HIV Distal Sensory Polyneuropathy
NeurogesX, Inc. announced today that it has completed enrollment in study C119, a second Phase 3 clinical trial of its lead product candidate NGX-4010 for the treatment of painful HIV-distal sensory polyneuropathy (HIV-DSP). NGX-4010 is a dermal patch designed to manage peripheral neuropathic pain. Previously completed Phase 3 trials demonstrated that a single, 30- or 60-minute treatment with NGX-4010 applied directly to the site of pain may provide pain relief for up to three months. C119 is a randomized, double-blind, controlled study that has enrolled over 480 patients at study sites in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada. read more
League players spread HIV message in PNG
For the third year running, top Australian rugby league players have visited Papua New Guinea to deliver messages about HIV/AIDS awareness and non-violence against women.
An Australian prime minister's XIII in Port Moresby to play a PNG prime minister's XIII on Sunday took time on Saturday to visit a coastal village near the capital and an army barracks.
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An Australian prime minister's XIII in Port Moresby to play a PNG prime minister's XIII on Sunday took time on Saturday to visit a coastal village near the capital and an army barracks.
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LETTER OF THE DAY - HIV epidemic deserves 'reality check'
The activities for the past few weeks have been note-worthy in many ways. The people did not give the former Prime Minister her "mandate" and the one who left for the wilderness, returning as the prodigal son is now Jamaica's eighth Prime Minister.
But when all the euphoria vanishes, what we are left with is the realism of the country in which we live. The reality which I would like to highlight to your readers is the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
I am aware that this topic is discussed preferably in hushed tones, behind closed doors. However, if we are to stem the spread of this disease, we need to get rid of the 'Ostrich Syndrome'. read more
But when all the euphoria vanishes, what we are left with is the realism of the country in which we live. The reality which I would like to highlight to your readers is the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
I am aware that this topic is discussed preferably in hushed tones, behind closed doors. However, if we are to stem the spread of this disease, we need to get rid of the 'Ostrich Syndrome'. read more
Uganda: Army Warned on HIV
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has warned the Uganda People's Defence Forces against the AIDS scourge.
Passing out 2,231 HIV-free recruits who completed a nine-month course at the Kaweweta Military School, 291km northwest of Kampala on Thursday, Museveni cautioned the soldiers against reckless living.
This is the biggest problem for you, young people, reckless living. You end up sick and becoming a disappointment to your family, the army and the country. We did not train you to die of AIDS. We have trained you to live long, work for your army and your country." read more
Passing out 2,231 HIV-free recruits who completed a nine-month course at the Kaweweta Military School, 291km northwest of Kampala on Thursday, Museveni cautioned the soldiers against reckless living.
This is the biggest problem for you, young people, reckless living. You end up sick and becoming a disappointment to your family, the army and the country. We did not train you to die of AIDS. We have trained you to live long, work for your army and your country." read more
Possible HIV carrier sought on rape charges
A Salt Lake City man wanted for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl may also have HIV - the virus that causes AIDS - and may pose a public health risk, police warned Friday.
Christians Michell Ortiz, 22, is charged with rape and two counts of forcible sodomy, all first-degree felonies, as well as second-degree felony forcible sexual abuse.
Jeff Bedard, a Salt Lake City police spokesman, said the alleged victim is the daughter of a woman with whom Ortiz is acquainted. read more
Christians Michell Ortiz, 22, is charged with rape and two counts of forcible sodomy, all first-degree felonies, as well as second-degree felony forcible sexual abuse.
Jeff Bedard, a Salt Lake City police spokesman, said the alleged victim is the daughter of a woman with whom Ortiz is acquainted. read more
Star's HIV fear out of documentary
Pop star George Michael has asked the BBC not to broadcast an interview in which he discusses his HIV fears.
The singer spoke openly with Stephen Fry for a forthcoming documentary. He is said to have admitted that he has not taken a test for at least three years because he fears it might be positive.
His former partner, Anselmo Feleppa, died of an Aids-related illness in 1995.
But the interview has now been removed from the programme at Michael's request.
read more
The singer spoke openly with Stephen Fry for a forthcoming documentary. He is said to have admitted that he has not taken a test for at least three years because he fears it might be positive.
His former partner, Anselmo Feleppa, died of an Aids-related illness in 1995.
But the interview has now been removed from the programme at Michael's request.
read more
South Africa 'devastated' by halt of HIV vaccine trials
The supervisor of a major HIV vaccine trial in South Africa voiced "huge disappointment" Saturday after testing was halted in the wake of poor results from sister trials in Australia and the United States.
US pharmaceutical giant Merck announced on Friday that it had halted the trials of its V520 vaccine after a study found it to be ineffective.
"It is a huge disappointment because this vaccine has shown promise all the way through, but it's only when you get in on these big trials that you start to see how the vaccine behaves," South Africa trials supervisor Glenda Gray told AFP
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US pharmaceutical giant Merck announced on Friday that it had halted the trials of its V520 vaccine after a study found it to be ineffective.
"It is a huge disappointment because this vaccine has shown promise all the way through, but it's only when you get in on these big trials that you start to see how the vaccine behaves," South Africa trials supervisor Glenda Gray told AFP
read more
Young think HIV is curable - expert
A belief among some young HIV patients that the virus can be cured is leading to a rise in infection levels, a specialist has warned.
Dr Veerakathy Harindra, an HIV specialist in Portsmouth, told the BBC up to a quarter of the young people he sees believe their condition can be treated successfully.
He said the number of people diagnosed with the virus at his clinic has more than doubled since 2001.
And he warns better drug treatments which help manage HIV have led some people to wrongly believe it can actually be completely cured.
read more
Dr Veerakathy Harindra, an HIV specialist in Portsmouth, told the BBC up to a quarter of the young people he sees believe their condition can be treated successfully.
He said the number of people diagnosed with the virus at his clinic has more than doubled since 2001.
And he warns better drug treatments which help manage HIV have led some people to wrongly believe it can actually be completely cured.
read more
Friday, September 21, 2007
ICAAC: Incidence of non-AIDS-defining cancers remains higher for HIV-positive individuals despite HAART
The risk of Hodgkin's lymphoma and anal, liver and lung cancers all remain higher for HIV-positive than HIV-negative individuals in the post-HAART era, according to an analysis of US veterans. Results were presented as a poster at the 47th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy in Chicago this week.
These non-AIDS-defining cancers were commonly occurring at CD4 cell counts that would not automatically lead a doctor to recommend treatment based on current guidelines, and in the case of prostate cancer, half of diagnoses occured in people with CD4 cell counts above 350 cells/mm3, the upper threshold of immune damage at which many people might be offered HIV treatment.
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These non-AIDS-defining cancers were commonly occurring at CD4 cell counts that would not automatically lead a doctor to recommend treatment based on current guidelines, and in the case of prostate cancer, half of diagnoses occured in people with CD4 cell counts above 350 cells/mm3, the upper threshold of immune damage at which many people might be offered HIV treatment.
read more
Uganda: Alienating Gays, Lesbians Will Spark Backfire
Ugandan moralist and pastor, Martin Ssempa, argued while being hosted on KFM's Hard Talk that it is untrue that gays and lesbians face discrimination when seeking HIV/Aids treatment, care and counselling at public and private health clinics.
While I found this argument absolutely under-researched, it proved to me just how much our local HIV/Aids care organisations and leaders are failing to understand the links between hetero and homosexual HIV transmission
read more
While I found this argument absolutely under-researched, it proved to me just how much our local HIV/Aids care organisations and leaders are failing to understand the links between hetero and homosexual HIV transmission
read more
International Lutherans Counsel ELCA In Developing HIV And AIDS Strategy
Discrimination and stigma, poverty and hunger, distribution of medicine and access to health care are critical issues to consider in addressing the HIV and AIDS pandemic, according to Lutherans from Africa, Asia, Europe, South America and the United States.
In an effort to inform and advise members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) as the church develops an HIV and AIDS strategy, some Lutherans from around the world were invited here Sept. 10 to share with ELCA churchwide staff their experiences in HIV and AIDS work.
The center of the church's action is not on the virus but on the person, not on the disease but in the discrimination, said the Rev. Lisandro Orlov, a pastor of the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Argentina (Iglesia Evangelica Luterana Unida), Buenos Aires. read more
In an effort to inform and advise members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) as the church develops an HIV and AIDS strategy, some Lutherans from around the world were invited here Sept. 10 to share with ELCA churchwide staff their experiences in HIV and AIDS work.
The center of the church's action is not on the virus but on the person, not on the disease but in the discrimination, said the Rev. Lisandro Orlov, a pastor of the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Argentina (Iglesia Evangelica Luterana Unida), Buenos Aires. read more
Partnership The Key To Tackling HIV, STDs in PNG
This week in Port Moresby, a landmark partnership, the PNG-Australia Sexual Health Improvement Program (PASHIP), has been formalised to tackle the spread and treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections, particularly HIV.
The PNG Government, the Australian Government and local and Australian NGOs have joined together in a 50 million Kina ($20 million AUD) program to take a proactive approach in tackling the scourge of HIV that is estimated to affect up to 2.5% - or 150,000 people in Papua New Guinea.
Caritas Australia, is in charge of rolling out the new partnership in the Southern Highlands, Simbu and the National Capital District of PNG, whilst four other NGOs and health providers will be involved in a total of eight provinces. read more
The PNG Government, the Australian Government and local and Australian NGOs have joined together in a 50 million Kina ($20 million AUD) program to take a proactive approach in tackling the scourge of HIV that is estimated to affect up to 2.5% - or 150,000 people in Papua New Guinea.
Caritas Australia, is in charge of rolling out the new partnership in the Southern Highlands, Simbu and the National Capital District of PNG, whilst four other NGOs and health providers will be involved in a total of eight provinces. read more
New standard emerges for HIV and Aids management in the workplace
A new South African National Standards (Sans) system, which will improve HIV and Aids management in the workplace, was launched by the South African Bearau of Standards (SABS). Education, Training and Counselling (ETC) MD Linzi Smith says that Sans 16001:2007 can be successfully implemented in all workplace environments including the public sector, the private sector, and the nongovernmental sector.
Smith states that many organisations have been implementing HIV and Aids workplace programmes on a trial-and-error basis, identifying what works, and what does not, through a process of elimination. However, she adds that there is still a lack of support from senior and middle management in implementing such programmes. read more
Smith states that many organisations have been implementing HIV and Aids workplace programmes on a trial-and-error basis, identifying what works, and what does not, through a process of elimination. However, she adds that there is still a lack of support from senior and middle management in implementing such programmes. read more
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Pregnancy May Slow -- Not Accelerate -- Progression To AIDS
A new study may help put to rest fears that pregnancy accelerates progression to full-blown AIDS in women with HIV receiving antiretroviral therapy. The study, published in the October 1st issue of the Journal of Infectious Diseases and now available online, revealed that pregnancy may, in fact, slow disease progression in these women.
Before the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), many women with HIV infection or AIDS were told that becoming pregnant would be unwise because there was thought to be a 25 percent risk of transmitting the virus to the child and that the effects of pregnancy on disease progression were unclear. It is now clear that the use of HAART in pregnancy can reduce the HIV transmission to the newborn to approximately 1 percent, but the effects of pregnancy on the HIV-infected woman remain unknown. read more
Before the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), many women with HIV infection or AIDS were told that becoming pregnant would be unwise because there was thought to be a 25 percent risk of transmitting the virus to the child and that the effects of pregnancy on disease progression were unclear. It is now clear that the use of HAART in pregnancy can reduce the HIV transmission to the newborn to approximately 1 percent, but the effects of pregnancy on the HIV-infected woman remain unknown. read more
HIV/AIDS Program May Be Named for Former First Lady
To ensure that one of the issues Effi Barry championed will not be forgotten, D.C. Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray (D) introduced legislation this week to name the city's east-of-the-river HIV/AIDS initiative after the District's beloved former first lady.
"She is the only coordinator we ever had for that program, and it is fitting that we name this program in her memory and in her honor to make sure that it continues," Gray said after Barry's funeral service Friday. "We will be asking for more money in the FY '09 budget, and we are going to make sure that they are investing in Effi's legacy." read more
"She is the only coordinator we ever had for that program, and it is fitting that we name this program in her memory and in her honor to make sure that it continues," Gray said after Barry's funeral service Friday. "We will be asking for more money in the FY '09 budget, and we are going to make sure that they are investing in Effi's legacy." read more
South Florida bills billions for HIV
Doctors and clinics in three Southern Florida counties account for most of the billions of dollars charged to Medicare nationwide for HIV and AIDS drugs and services, billing records show.
Federal health care regulators call the lopsided billing patterns "egregious" and warn that South Florida — particularly Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties — is a potential hotbed for health care fraud, waste and abuse.
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Federal health care regulators call the lopsided billing patterns "egregious" and warn that South Florida — particularly Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties — is a potential hotbed for health care fraud, waste and abuse.
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Nigeria: Country Ranks Third in HIV Infection - NACA
Nigeria ranks third among most infected countries with the Human Immuno deficiency Virus (HIV), coming after South Africa and India in that order.
This was disclosed yesterday in Abuja, by Ekeoma Uwaoma, Relationship Manager, National Agency for the Control of Aids (NACA), at a one-day capacity workshop organised by the Federal Ministry of Energy in collaboration with NACA.
Uwaoma, in a paper titled, Basic Facts on HIV/Aids, alerted the nation that there were increasing cases of Nigerian ladies who, in their desperate desire to get back at the society, especially because of the stigmatisation which is still very prevalent, dress up provocatively and seek for lift from men, only to end up raping them and gleefully taunt their victims: "Welcome to the club, you are now HIV-positive." read more
This was disclosed yesterday in Abuja, by Ekeoma Uwaoma, Relationship Manager, National Agency for the Control of Aids (NACA), at a one-day capacity workshop organised by the Federal Ministry of Energy in collaboration with NACA.
Uwaoma, in a paper titled, Basic Facts on HIV/Aids, alerted the nation that there were increasing cases of Nigerian ladies who, in their desperate desire to get back at the society, especially because of the stigmatisation which is still very prevalent, dress up provocatively and seek for lift from men, only to end up raping them and gleefully taunt their victims: "Welcome to the club, you are now HIV-positive." read more
Phase III Study In Treatment-naive Adults With HIV Evaluates Efficacy And Safety Of Once Daily PREZISTA/RITONOVIR Vs. KALETRA
Results from an ongoing Phase III ARTEMIS study that examines an investigational 800mg* once daily dose of PREZISTA® (darunavir/ritonavir) versus KALETRA®1 (lopinavir/ritonavir) 400 mg/100 mg twice daily (or 800 mg/200 mg once daily depending on the local licence) in treatment-naïve adults** with HIV-1, successfully met the primary end point of non-inferiority (95% confidence internal with the lower limit for the difference in treatment response -12% or greater for HIV RNA of less than 50 copies per mL in plasma at week 48). Of the patients taking darunavir/r, 84% reached an undetectable viral load (<50 copies/mL) at week 48, compared with 78% taking lopinavir/r. read more
Statistics vital for crusade against HIV’
Health Minister S. Chandrasekhar on Thursday said Government was doing everything it could to motivate people to come forward and get themselves tested. Only when clear statistics were available could the crusade against the dreaded virus be more focussed, he said.
He was addressing a gathering of voluntary action representatives at a workshop ‘Reducing HIV stigma & Gender-based Violence”, organised by International Centre for Research on Women (ICRW) and Bhoruka Foundation. Releasing a toolkit for healthcare providers, he symbolically handed over the first one to Achampet MLA Vamsee Krishna. He said Government’s efforts were aimed at improving awareness among people on prevention and management with anti-retroviral therapy (ART) to improve quality of everyday life. Government was going forward with concerted plans that involved the coordinated effort of every department down to the mandal-level and not just the Department of Health and Andhra Pradesh State Aids Control Society (APSACS), he said. Nata Duvvury from ICRW, Washington narrated how the toolkits were finalised after field testing by frontline healthcare providers, including traditional birth attendants and registered medical practitioners in Ichapuram of Srikakulam district. read more
He was addressing a gathering of voluntary action representatives at a workshop ‘Reducing HIV stigma & Gender-based Violence”, organised by International Centre for Research on Women (ICRW) and Bhoruka Foundation. Releasing a toolkit for healthcare providers, he symbolically handed over the first one to Achampet MLA Vamsee Krishna. He said Government’s efforts were aimed at improving awareness among people on prevention and management with anti-retroviral therapy (ART) to improve quality of everyday life. Government was going forward with concerted plans that involved the coordinated effort of every department down to the mandal-level and not just the Department of Health and Andhra Pradesh State Aids Control Society (APSACS), he said. Nata Duvvury from ICRW, Washington narrated how the toolkits were finalised after field testing by frontline healthcare providers, including traditional birth attendants and registered medical practitioners in Ichapuram of Srikakulam district. read more
EU Experts: Lift Ban on Roche HIV Drug
European Union medicine experts on Thursday recommended lifting a temporary EU-wide ban on the sale of a Roche Holding AG anti-HIV drug that had been contaminated with a substance that can be harmful to health.
The European Medicines Agency, or EMEA, said it backed allowing Roche to sell Viracept again because the company had fixed manufacturing problems that saw some batches contaminated with too much ethyl mesilate. The substance can damage DNA and may trigger cancer. read more
The European Medicines Agency, or EMEA, said it backed allowing Roche to sell Viracept again because the company had fixed manufacturing problems that saw some batches contaminated with too much ethyl mesilate. The substance can damage DNA and may trigger cancer. read more
HIV/AIDS cases soar in Beijing in first half year
The number of new HIV/AIDS cases reported in Beijing in the first half of the year was almost as high as the total for 2006, a spokesman for the Beijing Association of STD and AIDS Prevention and Control said Thursday.
Guan Baoying, deputy director of the association, said 563 new cases had been reported in the first six months, taking the total in the capital to more than 4,200.
The number of new HIV/Aids cases being reported in Beijing has been growing by an average of 50 percent a year, he said. read more
Guan Baoying, deputy director of the association, said 563 new cases had been reported in the first six months, taking the total in the capital to more than 4,200.
The number of new HIV/Aids cases being reported in Beijing has been growing by an average of 50 percent a year, he said. read more
George Michael HIV interview is cut for being ‘too personal’
The BBC has agreed not to screen an interview with George Michael after the pop star complained that an admission that he refuses to take an HIV test was “too personal”.
BBC bosses bowed to pressure from the gay singer to pull the interview, given to Stephen Fry for a BBC Two documentary about HIV in Britain.
The capitulation raised new concerns about the influence of celebrities over BBC editorial decisions. A recent report criticised the BBC for pandering to celebrities in its coverage of public policy issues.
Programme-makers had leaked details of the revealing interview Michael gave for the two-part programme, Stephen Fry: HIV And Me. Fry asks why HIV has “fallen off the radar” even though 70,000 people live with the virus in Britain today.
read more
BBC bosses bowed to pressure from the gay singer to pull the interview, given to Stephen Fry for a BBC Two documentary about HIV in Britain.
The capitulation raised new concerns about the influence of celebrities over BBC editorial decisions. A recent report criticised the BBC for pandering to celebrities in its coverage of public policy issues.
Programme-makers had leaked details of the revealing interview Michael gave for the two-part programme, Stephen Fry: HIV And Me. Fry asks why HIV has “fallen off the radar” even though 70,000 people live with the virus in Britain today.
read more
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Candles from HIV AIDS victim
What I started thinking at that moment is the Love for children, Love from parent’s heart. Even dad loves and cares their children. I have seen mothers loving their children but was rare that I saw a Live love to son from dad, father.
Yes, may be that dad was hiding the truth or just pretending to sale his products but still do believe that there was a love in his words. Because may be love cannot be explained and has no meaning but love can be felt and understood.
His hands were swelling very badly too and his words were not that clear. May be that was the problem because of HIV AIDS. He even explained that AIDS is a bad disease in society but still he is fighting to secure and make safe to his son’s future. Until he lives he wants to do much for his son.
read more
Yes, may be that dad was hiding the truth or just pretending to sale his products but still do believe that there was a love in his words. Because may be love cannot be explained and has no meaning but love can be felt and understood.
His hands were swelling very badly too and his words were not that clear. May be that was the problem because of HIV AIDS. He even explained that AIDS is a bad disease in society but still he is fighting to secure and make safe to his son’s future. Until he lives he wants to do much for his son.
read more
U.S. Doctors for Africa treating HIV/AIDS & infectious diseases
U.S. Doctors for Africa, with head office in California, is an American charity that focuses on HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases affecting Africa.
Some of their projects include:
Ethiopia- Supporting the Zewditu Memorial Hospital in Addis Ababa City providing technical services, medical training, supplies and equipment.
Tanzania - working with Tanzania’s National Care and Treatment Plano to provide HIV-positive residents with with medical care, building the health care infrastructure of Tanzania (training, facilities, equipment) and to increase education and communication efforts related to public understanding of HIV/AIDS and other diseases.
Africa USA Sister Hospitals Partnership Project - Medical manpower and resources will be shared between United States hospitals and African medical facilities to treat HIV/AIDS and other diseases.
read more
Some of their projects include:
Ethiopia- Supporting the Zewditu Memorial Hospital in Addis Ababa City providing technical services, medical training, supplies and equipment.
Tanzania - working with Tanzania’s National Care and Treatment Plano to provide HIV-positive residents with with medical care, building the health care infrastructure of Tanzania (training, facilities, equipment) and to increase education and communication efforts related to public understanding of HIV/AIDS and other diseases.
Africa USA Sister Hospitals Partnership Project - Medical manpower and resources will be shared between United States hospitals and African medical facilities to treat HIV/AIDS and other diseases.
read more
New Phase 3 Study In Treatment-Naive Adults With HIV Evaluates Efficacy And Safety Of Once-Daily PREZISTA(TM)/ritonavir Vs. KALETRA(R)
Results from a new ongoing, randomized, controlled, open-label Phase 3 study showed that 84 percent of treatment-naive HIV-1 infected adults taking an investigational dose of PREZISTA(TM) (darunavir) 800 mg (two 400 mg tablets) with 100 mg ritonavir once daily with TRUVADA(R)(1) (emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) reached an undetectable viral load (<50 copies/mL) at week 48, compared with 78 percent of patients taking KALETRA(R)(2) (lopinavir/ritonavir) 800 mg/200 mg once daily (or 400 mg/100 mg twice daily) with TRUVADA. The mean difference in response between the treatment groups was 5.3 percent (95 percent confidence interval -0.5; 11.2). read more
Helen completes her last HIV Educators’ Seminar
Helen Savage conducted her last HIV Educators Seminar this week. She is due to return to England this Friday after volunteering with HINT for over 3 months.While here Helen donated so much of her business and medical skills to HINT and the Buea community as a whole.She spent time researching strengths and weaknesses of micro finance Institutions in Buea. Her research has been very useful in further developing HINT’s micro finance project. Her achievements are many among which are:
Improvements to Heather’s HIV Training of Trainers’ PowerPoint presentation.
She conducted a number of HIV HIV Educators seminars.
She wrote a complete business proposal for our micro finance project based on her research in Buea. read more
Improvements to Heather’s HIV Training of Trainers’ PowerPoint presentation.
She conducted a number of HIV HIV Educators seminars.
She wrote a complete business proposal for our micro finance project based on her research in Buea. read more
Raltegravir Reduces HIV Virus to Undetectable Levels in Triple-Class Resistant Virus Cases: Presented at ICAAC
The investigative HIV integrase inhibitor raltegravir effectively reduces virus to undetectable levels even when the virus is resistant to three classes of antiretrovirals.
In the 48-week analysis, doctors said that more than half of all patients on one of three different dosages of raltegravir achieved an undetectable viral load.
In a report to the 47th Annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC), researchers said that all doses of raltegravir were superior to an optimized background of available antiretrovirals.
read more
In the 48-week analysis, doctors said that more than half of all patients on one of three different dosages of raltegravir achieved an undetectable viral load.
In a report to the 47th Annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC), researchers said that all doses of raltegravir were superior to an optimized background of available antiretrovirals.
read more
Anonymous HIV tests overdue
TWENTY years after Quebec began offering anonymous HIV/AIDS testing, Manitoba is preparing to offer the service to people in Winnipeg and Brandon.
The provincial government is expected to announce a $2-million program of testing, treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections. A government spokeswoman said details of the program will be released this afternoon at a news conference at Nine Circles Community Health Centre.
"They're doing the right thing but they're about 20 years behind," said Leon Mar with the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network.
Quebec, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Alberta and Saskatchewan already offer anonymous HIV testing, said the spokesman for the Toronto-based non-profit group that represents 200 organizations in promoting the human rights of people living with or vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, in Canada and internationally. read more
The provincial government is expected to announce a $2-million program of testing, treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections. A government spokeswoman said details of the program will be released this afternoon at a news conference at Nine Circles Community Health Centre.
"They're doing the right thing but they're about 20 years behind," said Leon Mar with the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network.
Quebec, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Alberta and Saskatchewan already offer anonymous HIV testing, said the spokesman for the Toronto-based non-profit group that represents 200 organizations in promoting the human rights of people living with or vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, in Canada and internationally. read more
HIV patient faces time for unprotected sex
An Illinois woman faces 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges she had unprotected sex with her boyfriend despite having the AIDS virus.
Angela Harris, 27, St. Charles, Ill., is to be sentenced next month on two counts of knowingly and recklessly risking infection of another person with the HIV virus.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch said Harris had been infected with HIV since she was 14.
Harris was arrested last year after her mother tipped off the boyfriend to her condition. The newspaper said the boyfriend tested negative for the virus.
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Angela Harris, 27, St. Charles, Ill., is to be sentenced next month on two counts of knowingly and recklessly risking infection of another person with the HIV virus.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch said Harris had been infected with HIV since she was 14.
Harris was arrested last year after her mother tipped off the boyfriend to her condition. The newspaper said the boyfriend tested negative for the virus.
read more
Voluntary HIV-screening for all adult male inpatients at hospitals
SINGAPORE: By year's end, all adult male patients admitted to hospitals will be asked if they would like to take a HIV-screening test.
Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan told Parliament on Tuesday he is also changing the Infectious Diseases Act soon so that no one will be able to claim ignorance of one's HIV-positive status as defence against charges of high-risk behaviour.
He said: "All individuals who engage in high-risk sexual behaviour must go for regular HIV-testing. The Infectious Diseases Act makes it an offence for someone who is HIV-positive to have sex without informing his sexual partner of his HIV status. I will soon come to this House to amend the Act to clarify that ignorance of one's HIV status will not be a defence for those who engage in high-risk sexual behaviour."read more
Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan told Parliament on Tuesday he is also changing the Infectious Diseases Act soon so that no one will be able to claim ignorance of one's HIV-positive status as defence against charges of high-risk behaviour.
He said: "All individuals who engage in high-risk sexual behaviour must go for regular HIV-testing. The Infectious Diseases Act makes it an offence for someone who is HIV-positive to have sex without informing his sexual partner of his HIV status. I will soon come to this House to amend the Act to clarify that ignorance of one's HIV status will not be a defence for those who engage in high-risk sexual behaviour."read more
Helping Those Living With HIV/AIDS
In an effort to continue the support they provide to those living with human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome, Thursday's Child, a non-profit organization based in Patchogue, is holding a private luncheon benefit on October 7, from noon to 4 p.m., at Atlantis Marine World in Riverhead.
The organization also is asking all residents to participate in Macy's "Shop For A Cause" on October 13. This event, which costs $5 per person, raises funds and awareness for many charities throughout the country. According to Gregory Noone, program manager for Thursday's Child, the organization is in need of support more than ever, as recent changes made by Congress in 2006 resulted in a loss of more than $1 million in funding this year for charitable organizations in the Nassau/Suffolk region. read more
The organization also is asking all residents to participate in Macy's "Shop For A Cause" on October 13. This event, which costs $5 per person, raises funds and awareness for many charities throughout the country. According to Gregory Noone, program manager for Thursday's Child, the organization is in need of support more than ever, as recent changes made by Congress in 2006 resulted in a loss of more than $1 million in funding this year for charitable organizations in the Nassau/Suffolk region. read more
Global Challenges | Chinese Provincial Governments Hampering National Policies on HIV/AIDS,
Provincial and local governments in China are failing to implement national policies on HIV/AIDS, including the provision of no-cost HIV testing, counseling and antiretroviral drugs to low-income populations, the Washington Post reports.
According to the Post, some provincial and local government officials are reluctant to compensate HIV-positive people who contracted the virus through tainted blood transfusions. In addition, some officials are concerned that media reports surrounding HIV/AIDS could hinder investment in local economies. Experts have said the gap between national policies and local practices is the result of a system that makes community-based reform difficult. The central government has the ability to reduce the spread of HIV, but "control and corruption inherent in a one-party system preven. read more
According to the Post, some provincial and local government officials are reluctant to compensate HIV-positive people who contracted the virus through tainted blood transfusions. In addition, some officials are concerned that media reports surrounding HIV/AIDS could hinder investment in local economies. Experts have said the gap between national policies and local practices is the result of a system that makes community-based reform difficult. The central government has the ability to reduce the spread of HIV, but "control and corruption inherent in a one-party system preven. read more
Studies Highlight Superior Performance of Trofile(TM) Assay
Monogram Biosciences, Inc. today announced multiple presentations demonstrating the strength of its Trofile(TM) Assay at the 47th Annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC). Among the presentations is one that details the superior ability of Monogram's Trofile assay to identify HIV patients that are most likely to respond to co- receptor inhibitors, a new class of drugs, compared to less sophisticated genotypic approaches. Another presentation reports on technical advances will allow improvements to be made to the assay resulting in a tenfold increase in Trofile's ability to identify patients with virus populations that harbor rare variants that are unlikely to be inhibited by specific drugs in this new class, and consequently are prone to treatment failure.
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HIV-positive rates must drop: Health minister
The high rate of infant and mother mortality is a shame for the state, Dr Surya Kanta Mishra, the state health minister in Siliguri, said today. Dr Mishra was addressing a gathering at the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital this afternoon, after inaugurating a refurbished Anti Retroviral Therapy Centre towards the treatment of Aids patients in north Bengal.
Calling upon the medical fraternity to put forward a dedicated service to lower the exorbitant rate of infant and mother mortality, the health minister said the state government is equipping all hospitals up to the level of public health centres with the related infrastructure facilities.
“We are not only focusing on the medical colleges, but at the same time try to facilitate necessary services and facilities up to the lower level health establishments. This is a must to ensure health services to the common people,” Dr Mishra said.
Referring to the general apathy shown towards HIV-infected persons, both by medical professionals and society at large, the minister cautioned that such attitude would only help the deadly disease to spread. He added that no amount of government decree would change the situation, unless the society changed its mind set towards HIV-infected persons. read more
Calling upon the medical fraternity to put forward a dedicated service to lower the exorbitant rate of infant and mother mortality, the health minister said the state government is equipping all hospitals up to the level of public health centres with the related infrastructure facilities.
“We are not only focusing on the medical colleges, but at the same time try to facilitate necessary services and facilities up to the lower level health establishments. This is a must to ensure health services to the common people,” Dr Mishra said.
Referring to the general apathy shown towards HIV-infected persons, both by medical professionals and society at large, the minister cautioned that such attitude would only help the deadly disease to spread. He added that no amount of government decree would change the situation, unless the society changed its mind set towards HIV-infected persons. read more
Sangamo BioSciences Presents Data Demonstrating 'In Vivo' Protection Against HIV Infection by CCR5-ZFN Therapeutic
Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. announced today the presentation of data demonstrating that human CD4 T-cells can be made permanently resistant to HIV infection by treatment with zinc finger DNA-binding protein nucleases (ZFN(TM)) and preferentially survive and expand in an animal after HIV infection. The presentation, entitled, "Establishment of HIV Resistant CD4 T-Cells by Engineered Zinc Finger Protein Nucleases" is taking place today at the 47th Annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) in Chicago.
"The positive results being presented at ICAAC continue to strengthen our belief that CCR5-ZFNs are an important and promising class of anti-HIV compounds and may represent a "next generation" of HIV-entry blocking agents," said Carl June, M.D., Director of Translational Research at the Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and a co-author of the study. "I look forward to working with Sangamo to bring this program into the clinic as quickly as possible."
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"The positive results being presented at ICAAC continue to strengthen our belief that CCR5-ZFNs are an important and promising class of anti-HIV compounds and may represent a "next generation" of HIV-entry blocking agents," said Carl June, M.D., Director of Translational Research at the Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and a co-author of the study. "I look forward to working with Sangamo to bring this program into the clinic as quickly as possible."
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HIV/AIDS vaccination 'within a decade'
Sir Gustav, Australian of the Year in 2000, said scientists were making real progress on the creation of the potentially life-saving vaccines.
"I have no doubt that vaccinations for the big three will be found in the next decade,'' Sir Gustav said.
The Florey Medical Research Foundation is a fundraising arm of the university's medical division.
The Austrian-born scientist is well known for his humanitarian work, promoting Aboriginal reconciliation and projects for the World Health Organisation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
He holds an array of international scientific awards and doctorates, including a breakthrough in modern immunology for which he was knighted in 1977. read more
"I have no doubt that vaccinations for the big three will be found in the next decade,'' Sir Gustav said.
The Florey Medical Research Foundation is a fundraising arm of the university's medical division.
The Austrian-born scientist is well known for his humanitarian work, promoting Aboriginal reconciliation and projects for the World Health Organisation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
He holds an array of international scientific awards and doctorates, including a breakthrough in modern immunology for which he was knighted in 1977. read more
HIV prevention could save millions in Africa - study
Using drugs to prevent HIV infection could prevent as many as 3 million new cases in Africa if it was done right, researchers predicted on Tuesday.
A daily pill would not even have to prevent infection all the time to have this effect, if it was given to the right people with the proper counseling, the team at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and at Imperial College London said.
"If you do it right, you can prevent lots of infections," Pittsburgh's Dr. John Mellors, who helped direct the study, said in a telephone interview.
The researchers wanted to know if a potential new approach called pre-exposure chemoprophylaxis, or PrEP, would work in a real-world setting.
read more
A daily pill would not even have to prevent infection all the time to have this effect, if it was given to the right people with the proper counseling, the team at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and at Imperial College London said.
"If you do it right, you can prevent lots of infections," Pittsburgh's Dr. John Mellors, who helped direct the study, said in a telephone interview.
The researchers wanted to know if a potential new approach called pre-exposure chemoprophylaxis, or PrEP, would work in a real-world setting.
read more
J&J says Prezista matches Kaletra in HIV trial
Johnson & Johnson said on Tuesday its drug Prezista was as effective in a late-stage trial as Abbott Laboratories Inc's Kaletra in cutting HIV to undetectable levels among patients not previously treated with HIV drugs.
Prezista, a once-daily protease inhibitor recently introduced by J&J, was given to patients along with Abbott's older protease inhibitor Norvir (ritonavir) and Gilead Science Inc's widely used Truvada. Truvada itself contains two drugs belonging to a separate class of HIV treatments called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.
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Prezista, a once-daily protease inhibitor recently introduced by J&J, was given to patients along with Abbott's older protease inhibitor Norvir (ritonavir) and Gilead Science Inc's widely used Truvada. Truvada itself contains two drugs belonging to a separate class of HIV treatments called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.
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Pfizer says long-term data shows safety and efficacy of HIV drug Selzentry
Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) Inc said that nearly three times as many patients receiving Selzentry, in addition to an optimised background regimen, achieved undetectable levels of HIV virus compared with those receiving an optimised regimen alone.
'These data continue to demonstrate that Selzentry provides significant benefit to certain treatment-experienced patients,' said Dr Jacob Lalezari, director, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco.
'The safety and durability of response seen with Selzentry out to one year in our study is reassuring. This drug is an important new weapon for clinicians who treat HIV,' he added.
Results from the planned 48-week analysis also demonstrated that Selzentry, along with an optimised background regimen, significantly increased CD4 cells, as compared to patients receiving an optimised regimen alone read more
'These data continue to demonstrate that Selzentry provides significant benefit to certain treatment-experienced patients,' said Dr Jacob Lalezari, director, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco.
'The safety and durability of response seen with Selzentry out to one year in our study is reassuring. This drug is an important new weapon for clinicians who treat HIV,' he added.
Results from the planned 48-week analysis also demonstrated that Selzentry, along with an optimised background regimen, significantly increased CD4 cells, as compared to patients receiving an optimised regimen alone read more
Daily anti-HIV pill could save millions from infection: study
Providing healthy people with an antiretroviral drug to protect them against HIV infection could drastically slow the spread of the virus in sub-Saharan Africa, US researchers said Tuesday.
In a best-case scenario, the drug could prevent three million new HIV cases in this part of Africa over a 10-year span, even if it was only made available to the most sexually active individuals, the investigators said.
"This could represent another tool in our arsenal against HIV infection," said Ume Abbas, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and lead author of the paper
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In a best-case scenario, the drug could prevent three million new HIV cases in this part of Africa over a 10-year span, even if it was only made available to the most sexually active individuals, the investigators said.
"This could represent another tool in our arsenal against HIV infection," said Ume Abbas, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and lead author of the paper
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Accidental HIV victim ponders legal steps
The oldest of 42 HIV-positive South African babies and children with HIV-negative parents, the 16-year-old now wants her mother to take Western Cape health authorities to court over her suspected accidental infection "so that this can't happen to anyone else".
Sarah's family have no idea how she was infected but believe she may have been treated with unsterilised medical equipment while in hospital for TB treatment. Other cases of suspected accidental HIV-infection have been linked to expressed breast milk being given to HIV-negative babies, and dirty syringes in state hospitals.
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Sarah's family have no idea how she was infected but believe she may have been treated with unsterilised medical equipment while in hospital for TB treatment. Other cases of suspected accidental HIV-infection have been linked to expressed breast milk being given to HIV-negative babies, and dirty syringes in state hospitals.
read more
Monday, September 17, 2007
HIV/AIDS infected children can now benefit from a European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership funded trial
In August, the United States (US) Federal Drug Administration (FDA) gave a tentative approval to a fixed-dose anti-HIV drug specifically formulated for paediatric use. The fixed-dose combination scored tablet of lamivudine 30mg, stavudine 6mg and nevirapine 50mg (Triomune Baby) and double this strength (Triomune Junior) is manufactured by CIPLA pharmaceuticals.
EDCTP, the funder of the pharmacokinetic study leading to this tentative approval, congratulates Professor Chifumbe Chintu from the School of Medicine and Department of Paediatrics, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka and his Zambian team, along with research collaborators from the Netherlands and the Medical Research Council (MRC) Clinical Trials Unit, United Kingdom on their work. Triomune Baby and Junior have already been approved in Zambia and are currently being used to treat children there.
Treatment of HIV/AIDS in children is a great challenge in resource-constrained settings. One of the reasons for this is the difficulty and cost of giving paediatric formulations, particularly syrups, of anti-HIV drugs to children. The absence of appropriate paediatric formulations often necessitates administering divided adult tablets to HIV-infected children. This can lead to incorrect dosing, especially under dosing, and increases the risk of the rapid development of resistance to the drugs. The problem is compounded by underlying malnutrition in these children, and the lack of knowledge about how malnutrition affects drug levels in the body. read more
EDCTP, the funder of the pharmacokinetic study leading to this tentative approval, congratulates Professor Chifumbe Chintu from the School of Medicine and Department of Paediatrics, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka and his Zambian team, along with research collaborators from the Netherlands and the Medical Research Council (MRC) Clinical Trials Unit, United Kingdom on their work. Triomune Baby and Junior have already been approved in Zambia and are currently being used to treat children there.
Treatment of HIV/AIDS in children is a great challenge in resource-constrained settings. One of the reasons for this is the difficulty and cost of giving paediatric formulations, particularly syrups, of anti-HIV drugs to children. The absence of appropriate paediatric formulations often necessitates administering divided adult tablets to HIV-infected children. This can lead to incorrect dosing, especially under dosing, and increases the risk of the rapid development of resistance to the drugs. The problem is compounded by underlying malnutrition in these children, and the lack of knowledge about how malnutrition affects drug levels in the body. read more
Decline In Blood Platelet Count Associated With Increased Risk Of HIV-related Dementia
HIV patients with declining platelet counts appear to be at increased risk for HIV--associated dementia, according to a report in the September issue of Archives of Neurology.
"Human immunodeficiency virus--associated dementia (HIV-D) is a syndrome encompassing a spectrum of cognitive, behavioral and motor deficits that usually has an insidious onset and a chronic progressive course," the authors write as background information in the article. Therapies leading to longer life for HIV patients have paradoxically increased the prevalence of this condition. Identifying biological markers for the development of HIV--associated dementia is critical both for diagnosing the disorder and for understanding its underlying mechanisms.
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"Human immunodeficiency virus--associated dementia (HIV-D) is a syndrome encompassing a spectrum of cognitive, behavioral and motor deficits that usually has an insidious onset and a chronic progressive course," the authors write as background information in the article. Therapies leading to longer life for HIV patients have paradoxically increased the prevalence of this condition. Identifying biological markers for the development of HIV--associated dementia is critical both for diagnosing the disorder and for understanding its underlying mechanisms.
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'HIV attack' to go to court
KLAIPEDA - Police and prosecutors in the Lithuanian port city of Klaipeda have announced that they are ready to launch a prosecution in a case with no precedent in Lithuania – an attempt by a man to infect his former partner with HIV.
The man, 36, is suspected of convincing an associate to inject HIV-infected blood into his former common-law wife as a revenge for seeing another man.
The accused reportedly obtained from a man with HIV and gave a syringe to his accomplice, who waited for the woman near her home and tried to inject her with it when she came outside. The woman managed to avoid the attack by hiding in a car. The incident is alleged to have taken place in May. read more
The man, 36, is suspected of convincing an associate to inject HIV-infected blood into his former common-law wife as a revenge for seeing another man.
The accused reportedly obtained from a man with HIV and gave a syringe to his accomplice, who waited for the woman near her home and tried to inject her with it when she came outside. The woman managed to avoid the attack by hiding in a car. The incident is alleged to have taken place in May. read more
New Enzyme Therapy Destroys HIV?
I write this post knowing full well that this may not pan out. Still, I like to highlight those things that at least hold a hint of a promise for eradicating this awful disease.
From IBNlive:
Bangalore: Dr Indrani Sarkar has has every reason to be excited. Her PhD thesis, which started in 2002 at the Max Planck Institute in Dresden, Germany, has thrown open the doors for developing enzymes that can destroy the dreaded Human Immuno-deficiency Virus or HIV within infected cells permanently.
Indrani and a team of scientists have developed an enzyme called Tre. Tre is a custom enzyme capable of detecting, recognising and destroying HIV, much like a pair of molecular scissors.
“In laymans terms, it’s an engineered enzyme which recognises sequences in the HIV genome that is duplicated, integrated virus and by the process of recombination, it cuts out the virus from the genome,” says she.
Trials are starting immediately, but this won’t hit the market for a while.
read more
From IBNlive:
Bangalore: Dr Indrani Sarkar has has every reason to be excited. Her PhD thesis, which started in 2002 at the Max Planck Institute in Dresden, Germany, has thrown open the doors for developing enzymes that can destroy the dreaded Human Immuno-deficiency Virus or HIV within infected cells permanently.
Indrani and a team of scientists have developed an enzyme called Tre. Tre is a custom enzyme capable of detecting, recognising and destroying HIV, much like a pair of molecular scissors.
“In laymans terms, it’s an engineered enzyme which recognises sequences in the HIV genome that is duplicated, integrated virus and by the process of recombination, it cuts out the virus from the genome,” says she.
Trials are starting immediately, but this won’t hit the market for a while.
read more
New drug will give hope to HIV positive children
HIV positive children can now benefit from an anti-retroviral drug designed specially for them. Triomune Baby and Junior were developed with funding from the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP).
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently gave its tentative approval for the drug, paving the way for it to receive prequalification status from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and making it available for distribution under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and Clinton Foundation programmes. read more
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently gave its tentative approval for the drug, paving the way for it to receive prequalification status from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and making it available for distribution under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and Clinton Foundation programmes. read more
PAKISTAN: Roadside dentists pose HIV, hepatitis threat
The problem has gone now. I will be able to sleep properly and eat again in a few hours," Jawad told IRIN.
But while the roadside tooth removal - carried out without anesthetic and with only the most primitive, unsterilised tools - was obviously painful, there could be dire consequences for those who use the services of roadside dentists.
Recent studies in Pakistan have shown that roadside barbers, dentists and doctors are responsible for the rapid spread of diseases such as hepatitis, as well as HIV/AIDS. read more
Peru: 7 Children Infected with HIV - Mother Demands Indemnification
Peru's La Republica newspaper reported this morning that out of the seven children that were infected with HIV in 2004 at a public hospital in Lima (Maternidad de Lima), 4 have already died due to the illness.
In addition, La Republica reported that the children's deaths had been in vain because Peru's government has not done anything to change or improve the situation since then.
It was also reported that the victims' families have not received any type of indemnification. read more
In addition, La Republica reported that the children's deaths had been in vain because Peru's government has not done anything to change or improve the situation since then.
It was also reported that the victims' families have not received any type of indemnification. read more
PHARMA MARKET: Gilead's Atripla Seeks To Maintain Early Surge
Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD) launched its combination HIV treatment Atripla in July 2006 to bolster the company's already strong presence in treating the virus - 84% of Gilead's second-quarter product sales of $905 million came from HIV treatments.
The drug consists of Gilead's Truvada - in turn made with its Viread and Emtriva drugs - and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.'s (BMY) Sustiva. It is the first once-daily single tablet regimen for HIV that can be used as stand-alone therapy or in combination with other antiretrovirals. Approval in the European Union and Canada is pending.
THE DRUG: Atripla is approved in the United Stated to treat adults with HIV-1 infection, the virus that causes AIDS. The drug can be combined with other HIV/ AIDS therapies and was approved in less than three months as part of an agency program to more quickly bring life-saving medicines to the market. The most common adverse events include headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and rash.
read more
The drug consists of Gilead's Truvada - in turn made with its Viread and Emtriva drugs - and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.'s (BMY) Sustiva. It is the first once-daily single tablet regimen for HIV that can be used as stand-alone therapy or in combination with other antiretrovirals. Approval in the European Union and Canada is pending.
THE DRUG: Atripla is approved in the United Stated to treat adults with HIV-1 infection, the virus that causes AIDS. The drug can be combined with other HIV/ AIDS therapies and was approved in less than three months as part of an agency program to more quickly bring life-saving medicines to the market. The most common adverse events include headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and rash.
read more
Spanish Health Ministry Announces Plan To Determine Number Of HIV Cases By 2015
The Spanish Ministry of Health recently announced a new plan to determine the number of people living with HIV in the country and reduce the spread of the virus by 2015, El Pais reports. The plan replaces an earlier one that expired in 2005 and was not renewed, reflecting what some nongovernmental organizations say is the government's lack of dedication to addressing HIV/AIDS.
Some HIV/AIDS advocacy groups say the new plan does little to address the disease in the country. Cesida, the largest confederation of NGOs involved in fighting HIV/AIDS in Spain, said the new plan "cannot be considered a plan of action." Some NGOs are complaining that the plan's goals are vaguely worded and that the time frame is too long. NGOs also have said that the plan places too much emphasis on those who are already HIV-positive, rather than on the general public, to combat the spread of the virus. In addition, some NGOs have said that the plan singles out high-risk groups, such as injection drug users and commercial sex workers, and does not mention specifically heterosexual men, who are the primary transmitters of the virus in the country, El Pais reports. read more
Some HIV/AIDS advocacy groups say the new plan does little to address the disease in the country. Cesida, the largest confederation of NGOs involved in fighting HIV/AIDS in Spain, said the new plan "cannot be considered a plan of action." Some NGOs are complaining that the plan's goals are vaguely worded and that the time frame is too long. NGOs also have said that the plan places too much emphasis on those who are already HIV-positive, rather than on the general public, to combat the spread of the virus. In addition, some NGOs have said that the plan singles out high-risk groups, such as injection drug users and commercial sex workers, and does not mention specifically heterosexual men, who are the primary transmitters of the virus in the country, El Pais reports. read more
Pathway Diagnostics Announces Commercial Availability of SensiTrop(TM) HIV Co-receptor Tropism Assay
Pathway Diagnostics announces nationwide availability of SensiTrop(TM), its proprietary molecular heteroduplex tracking assay (HTA) for determining the co-receptor tropism status of HIV infected patients. Pathway performs the SensiTrop(TM) assay in its CLIA approved laboratory on samples received from Mayo Medical Laboratories and other soon-to-be named national laboratories.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070917/LAM073LOGO)
Recently Pfizer Inc. and the FDA announced the approval of Selzentry(TM)
(Maraviroc), the first in a novel class of anti-retroviral drugs based on blocking the CCR5 co-receptor of HIV. Selzentry, in combination with other antiretroviral agents, is indicated for treatment-experienced adult HIV patients with only CCR5-tropic HIV-1 detectable who have evidence of viral replication, and HIV-1 strains resistant to multiple anti-retroviral agents. The FDA label states that when initiating therapy, tropism testing and treatment history should guide the use of Selzentry. read more
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070917/LAM073LOGO)
Recently Pfizer Inc. and the FDA announced the approval of Selzentry(TM)
(Maraviroc), the first in a novel class of anti-retroviral drugs based on blocking the CCR5 co-receptor of HIV. Selzentry, in combination with other antiretroviral agents, is indicated for treatment-experienced adult HIV patients with only CCR5-tropic HIV-1 detectable who have evidence of viral replication, and HIV-1 strains resistant to multiple anti-retroviral agents. The FDA label states that when initiating therapy, tropism testing and treatment history should guide the use of Selzentry. read more
Belleville's Bethany Place receives grant for HIV/AIDS services
Community based organizations in Illinois have received a total of $2.55 million in grants from the state to provide housing services for individuals living with HIV/AIDS.
Bethany Place in Belleville was one of 17 organizations to receive $150,000 in grant money. Last year the service organizations each received $125,000.
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Bethany Place in Belleville was one of 17 organizations to receive $150,000 in grant money. Last year the service organizations each received $125,000.
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HIV/AIDS patients appeal for more drugs
PEOPLE living with HIV/AIDS have appealed to the Government to increase the accessibility of Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs in order to live more positive, productive and prolonged lives.
In a report read out at the 11th annual general meeting of The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO) Jinja on Saturday, the clients thanked the Government for the support it was rendering the organisation. The day's theme was scaling up the HIV/AIDS prevention.
Clients are being treated with ARVs, Septrine prophylaxis and there is improvement in their health. But we appeal for more of those drugs because there are many people living with HIV/AIDS,?Sarah Kyesimira, a clients?representative said. read more
In a report read out at the 11th annual general meeting of The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO) Jinja on Saturday, the clients thanked the Government for the support it was rendering the organisation. The day's theme was scaling up the HIV/AIDS prevention.
Clients are being treated with ARVs, Septrine prophylaxis and there is improvement in their health. But we appeal for more of those drugs because there are many people living with HIV/AIDS,?Sarah Kyesimira, a clients?representative said. read more
HIV Testing Remains High Under Name-Based Reporting
New York's law requiring HIV name-based reporting and partner notification has not dampened individuals' willingness to be tested for the disease, according to a study by the State Health Department's AIDS Institute.
The study allays fears that name-based HIV reporting would deter HIV testing behavior.
"The state's name-based reporting law is a valuable tool in tracking HIV infections in a timely manner," said State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D. "The study provides solid evidence that the law does not deter testing."
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The study allays fears that name-based HIV reporting would deter HIV testing behavior.
"The state's name-based reporting law is a valuable tool in tracking HIV infections in a timely manner," said State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D. "The study provides solid evidence that the law does not deter testing."
read more
HIV/AIDS frightening figures in PNG
Papua New Guinea now faces a devastating HIV/AIDS epidemic and it is estimated that by the year 2010, 70% of all hospital beds nationwide will be occupied by HIV/AIDS patients.
That was revealed by the deputy director of the National Aids Council Secretariat (NACS) Dr Joachim Pantumari at the start of the 9th annual nurses research symposium in Wewak, East Sepik province, last week.
Dr Pantumari warned that HIV/AIDS would soon take a terrible toll on the people and the economy if effective action was not taken to prevent the virus from spreading.
read more
That was revealed by the deputy director of the National Aids Council Secretariat (NACS) Dr Joachim Pantumari at the start of the 9th annual nurses research symposium in Wewak, East Sepik province, last week.
Dr Pantumari warned that HIV/AIDS would soon take a terrible toll on the people and the economy if effective action was not taken to prevent the virus from spreading.
read more
HIV drugs can tackle cancer
Drugs developed to fight HIV can be effectively used to slow the growth of cancer cells, researchers in the US have found.
A group of researchers in the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, noticed that the toxic effects the HIV virus has on cells was similar to that seen in cancerous cells.
Nelfinavir -- a drug used against HIV -- is being tested on patients with a range of cancers in light of new evidence found by Phillip Dennis and his co-workers, according to a report in the journal Clinical Cancer Research.
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A group of researchers in the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, noticed that the toxic effects the HIV virus has on cells was similar to that seen in cancerous cells.
Nelfinavir -- a drug used against HIV -- is being tested on patients with a range of cancers in light of new evidence found by Phillip Dennis and his co-workers, according to a report in the journal Clinical Cancer Research.
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'Why me?' wonders teenage girl
When Sarah's mother told her that she had been accidentally infected with HIV while she was a young TB patient, all the teenager kept asking was "Why me?"
Now, as the oldest of 42 HIV-positive South African babies and children whose parents are HIV-negative, the 16-year-old wants her mother to take Western Cape health authorities to court over her infection believed to be accidental "so that this can't happen to anyone else".
Sarah and the vast majority of the babies and children believed to have been accidentally infected with HIV in South African hospitals cannot even access a disability grant from the government. read more
Now, as the oldest of 42 HIV-positive South African babies and children whose parents are HIV-negative, the 16-year-old wants her mother to take Western Cape health authorities to court over her infection believed to be accidental "so that this can't happen to anyone else".
Sarah and the vast majority of the babies and children believed to have been accidentally infected with HIV in South African hospitals cannot even access a disability grant from the government. read more
Woman Infected with HIV Begins Help Foundation in Peru
Judith Rivera Díaz, the woman that was infected with HIV in a public hospital in Peru, has decided to establish a foundation to help all those that are affected because of medical negligence or for anyone that is mistreated at a state institution.
The 46-year-old mother that was infected after a blood transfusion, has stated that her foundation will momentarily be established in Ventanilla becaue the mayor's wife has offered to help and support her on her project. read more
The 46-year-old mother that was infected after a blood transfusion, has stated that her foundation will momentarily be established in Ventanilla becaue the mayor's wife has offered to help and support her on her project. read more
Peruvian president apologizes to patient infected with HIV at state hospital
Judith Rivera, a 44-year-old mother of four, was infected with the virus after receiving blood transfusions during an operation in April at a state-run hospital in Callao, Lima's port city.
Poor people go to state hospitals to get well but end up being infected with even more severe diseases, which is an extremely grave mistake, Garcia said Saturday when he met with Rivera in the presidential palace.
Rivera will obtain around 96,000 U.S. dollars in compensation from the health ministry and eligible for free life-long medical care.
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Poor people go to state hospitals to get well but end up being infected with even more severe diseases, which is an extremely grave mistake, Garcia said Saturday when he met with Rivera in the presidential palace.
Rivera will obtain around 96,000 U.S. dollars in compensation from the health ministry and eligible for free life-long medical care.
read more
Nigeria: Ogun Considered for HIV Drug Manufacturing Firm
Ogun State is being considered for the establishment of a rubber based (LATEX) firm which is capable for producing drugs for the treatment of HIV patients.
This was contained in a release signed by the Press Officer to the Governor, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya made available to Leadership in Abeokuta, quoting Professor Oshotimeyin as saying that "There was a proposal for Nigeria to manufacture latex products which is rubber based"
The statement added "we have done an extensive investigation and we had a trip to China and we were told to look for a location with heavy rubber plantation where the factory could be sited and we found out that it would be appropriate to site the factory in Ogun State". read more
This was contained in a release signed by the Press Officer to the Governor, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya made available to Leadership in Abeokuta, quoting Professor Oshotimeyin as saying that "There was a proposal for Nigeria to manufacture latex products which is rubber based"
The statement added "we have done an extensive investigation and we had a trip to China and we were told to look for a location with heavy rubber plantation where the factory could be sited and we found out that it would be appropriate to site the factory in Ogun State". read more
Uganda: 4,800 HIV Patients in Gulu Receive Food Supplements
AT least 4,800 people living with HIV/Aids in Gulu district have received food supplements from the World Food Programme (WFP) and the World Vision.
Kimera Mutebi, The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO) district manager, recently said 7,920 people had registered for the programme.
He added that 2,500 people will receive nutritional supplements supplied by ACDI/VOCA, a USAID-funded organisation
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Kimera Mutebi, The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO) district manager, recently said 7,920 people had registered for the programme.
He added that 2,500 people will receive nutritional supplements supplied by ACDI/VOCA, a USAID-funded organisation
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Nigeria: NGO Declares Nov 29 N-Delta Aids/HIV Day
IN the fight to eradicate the pandemic HIV/AIDS scourge and educate/enlighten the suffering masses in the Niger Delta region, a non-governmental organization, Niger-Delta HIV/AIDS Prevention Initiative has declared the 29th of November, 2007 as Niger-Delta HIV/AIDS Day just as the region is alleged to harbour more than 60% of HIV/AIDS patients in the country.
He stated that a year long research by the organization reveals a gory picture of the spread and prevalence of the aids scourge against the claims of the National Agency for Control of HIV/AIDS that 90% of Nigerians are now aware of the deadly disease. read more
He stated that a year long research by the organization reveals a gory picture of the spread and prevalence of the aids scourge against the claims of the National Agency for Control of HIV/AIDS that 90% of Nigerians are now aware of the deadly disease. read more
New study on HIV/AIDS
Researchers, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, reported that HIV infected women, who become pregnant have a lower risk of progression to AIDS and death. Their findings suggested that “the complex set of immunologic changes” that occur during pregnancy may be interacting as a benefactor with the combination drug therapy.
“After using statistical modelling methods to adjust for differences between women, including their age, health and response to therapy, the researchers found that ‘pregnant women did better’ read more
“After using statistical modelling methods to adjust for differences between women, including their age, health and response to therapy, the researchers found that ‘pregnant women did better’ read more
UPDATE 1-Schering-Plough HIV drug begins late-stage trials
Schering-Plough Corp. (SGP.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Monday that it had begun late-stage trials of an experimental HIV drug that showed promising effectiveness in earlier studies but aroused safety concerns because of cancers seen in some patients taking it.
The U.S. drugmaker said it had begun two Phase III trials of vicriviroc, a once-daily tablet that works through the same mechanism as Pfizer Inc's (PFE.N: Quote, Profile, Research) recently approved Selzentry, or maraviroc. Both potentially can help patients whose virus has become resistant to earlier HIV treatments.
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The U.S. drugmaker said it had begun two Phase III trials of vicriviroc, a once-daily tablet that works through the same mechanism as Pfizer Inc's (PFE.N: Quote, Profile, Research) recently approved Selzentry, or maraviroc. Both potentially can help patients whose virus has become resistant to earlier HIV treatments.
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Botswana: HIV Threatens Child Survival
Paediatric HIV care is still a major challenge in southern Africa and only a small number of affected children have access to treatment, a senior health official says.
Officially closing the first regional training workshop on paediatric HIV care at Baylor's Children's Clinical Centre of Excellence in Gaborone, Barbara Mudanga, chief health officer at the Ministry of Health, department of HIV/AIDS prevention and care, said that child survival in the region has been seriously affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
She noted that in Botswana, 10 percent of the people on treatment are children under the age of 15. read more
Officially closing the first regional training workshop on paediatric HIV care at Baylor's Children's Clinical Centre of Excellence in Gaborone, Barbara Mudanga, chief health officer at the Ministry of Health, department of HIV/AIDS prevention and care, said that child survival in the region has been seriously affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
She noted that in Botswana, 10 percent of the people on treatment are children under the age of 15. read more
East Africa: Mainstream HIV/Aids Into Regional Agenda
The East African Community (EAC) leaders should include checking the spread and devastating effects of HIV/AIDS in the community's agenda.
If this is not done, says Dr Calleb Weggoro, the EAC director for the productive and social sector, business in the East African region could be in jeopardy.
Speaking at a workshop of medical and gender practitioners from EAC member states last week, Weggoro said that despite the fact that individual countries allocate funds for AIDS activities in their national budgets, an EAC arrangement should be put in place to accelerate efforts against the spread of the disease
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If this is not done, says Dr Calleb Weggoro, the EAC director for the productive and social sector, business in the East African region could be in jeopardy.
Speaking at a workshop of medical and gender practitioners from EAC member states last week, Weggoro said that despite the fact that individual countries allocate funds for AIDS activities in their national budgets, an EAC arrangement should be put in place to accelerate efforts against the spread of the disease
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SRI helps develop high-speed screening process
A North Carolina company, in collaboration with Birmingham's Southern Research Institute, has developed a high-speed screening process to identify new compounds for treating the virus that causes AIDS.
Trana Discovery, based in Cary, N.C., said its new process will allow pharmaceutical companies to screen "vast libraries of compounds" to identify those that interrupt the lifecycle of HIV. Trana said the technology has the potential to discover new classes of medicines for the treatment of HIV that may overcome resistance mechanisms associated with current therapies.
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Trana Discovery, based in Cary, N.C., said its new process will allow pharmaceutical companies to screen "vast libraries of compounds" to identify those that interrupt the lifecycle of HIV. Trana said the technology has the potential to discover new classes of medicines for the treatment of HIV that may overcome resistance mechanisms associated with current therapies.
read more
Friday, September 14, 2007
Pregnant women with HIV have lower risk of progressing towards AIDS
Their findings suggested that "the complex set of immunologic changes" that occur during pregnancy may be interacting as a benefactor with the combination drug therapy.
"After using statistical modelling methods to adjust for differences between women, including their age, health and response to therapy, the researchers found that 'pregnant women did better,'" said Timothy Sterling, M.D., the study's senior author and associate professor of Medicine.
In the developing world, previous studies, had reported higher levels of complications and deaths among pregnant women who suffered AIDS.
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"After using statistical modelling methods to adjust for differences between women, including their age, health and response to therapy, the researchers found that 'pregnant women did better,'" said Timothy Sterling, M.D., the study's senior author and associate professor of Medicine.
In the developing world, previous studies, had reported higher levels of complications and deaths among pregnant women who suffered AIDS.
read more
Councillors Warned On HIV/Aids
The councillor for Pece division, Charles Okwakalwak, sounded the warning during a one-day workshop on HIV/AIDS at the workplace. The workshop, which took place at Gulu Sunset Hotel, was organised by the Alliance of Mayors Initiative for Community Action on AIDS.
Okwakalwak said although it was the council's obligation to meet such burial expenses, it would better to save the money for more developmental projects.
He said HIV/AIDS had adversely affected the economy, with large sums of money going into paying gratuity of civil and public servants who die of AIDS.
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Okwakalwak said although it was the council's obligation to meet such burial expenses, it would better to save the money for more developmental projects.
He said HIV/AIDS had adversely affected the economy, with large sums of money going into paying gratuity of civil and public servants who die of AIDS.
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HIV-positive youth educate peers in Delray Beach
It was the first time 11-year-old Avencia Pierre met someone infected with HIV. She knows it won't be the last.
"In life there will be people you meet who have HIV," the Delray Beach resident said Thursday. "It's not anything to be afraid of."
Pierre, along with about 50 other youths at the Naoma Donnelley Haggin Boys & Girls Club in Delray Beach, spent their day off for Rosh Hashana listening to speakers from Treasure the Children Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to HIV education. read more
"In life there will be people you meet who have HIV," the Delray Beach resident said Thursday. "It's not anything to be afraid of."
Pierre, along with about 50 other youths at the Naoma Donnelley Haggin Boys & Girls Club in Delray Beach, spent their day off for Rosh Hashana listening to speakers from Treasure the Children Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to HIV education. read more
Indian doc develops enzyme that can destroy HIV
Dr Indrani Sarkar has has every reason to be excited. Her PhD thesis, which started in 2002 at the Max Planck Institute in Dresden, Germany, has thrown open the doors for developing enzymes that can destroy the dreaded Human Immuno-deficiency Virus or HIV within infected cells permanently.
Indrani and a team of scientists have developed an enzyme called Tre. Tre is a custom enzyme capable of detecting, recognising and destroying HIV, much like a pair of molecular scissors.
"In laymans terms, it's an engineered enzyme which recognises sequences in the HIV genome that is duplicated, integrated virus and by the process of recombination, it cuts out the virus from the genome," says she.
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Indrani and a team of scientists have developed an enzyme called Tre. Tre is a custom enzyme capable of detecting, recognising and destroying HIV, much like a pair of molecular scissors.
"In laymans terms, it's an engineered enzyme which recognises sequences in the HIV genome that is duplicated, integrated virus and by the process of recombination, it cuts out the virus from the genome," says she.
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Jury Finds Accused Child Rapist Guilty In HIV Case
A man accused of raping a 15-year-old boy and exposing him to HIV was found guilty on two of the three charges he faced.
Michael McElderry took the stand in his own defense in a Rutherford County courtroom Wednesday.
The jury found him guilty of criminal exposure to HIV and guilty of aggravated statutory rape. However, it was a hung jury on the charge of rape.
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Michael McElderry took the stand in his own defense in a Rutherford County courtroom Wednesday.
The jury found him guilty of criminal exposure to HIV and guilty of aggravated statutory rape. However, it was a hung jury on the charge of rape.
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South Africa: Ruben Sher, Pioneer of Aids Treatment in Country, Dies At 78
Prof Ruben Sher, one of the first South African doctors to identify the threat of HIV/AIDS, died earlier this week of complications following surgery for a faulty pacemaker. He was 78.
Sher, an immunologist , first found out about HIV during a visit to the US in 1982, when the disease was cutting a swathe through the gay community. At the time HIV was largely unknown in SA , but Sher believed it was already present.
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Sher, an immunologist , first found out about HIV during a visit to the US in 1982, when the disease was cutting a swathe through the gay community. At the time HIV was largely unknown in SA , but Sher believed it was already present.
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Africa: NACA Tasks African Countries On HIV/Aids
The Director General, National Actionon Control of Aids (NACA), Prof Babatunde Osotimehin, has called on African countries to share information on HIV and Aids.
He made the call yesterday in Abuja at the on-going Havard PEPFARTri-country conference on HIV and Aids. He said that sharing knowledge and research materials on HIV and Aids would enable Africans combat the disease.
The PEPFAR initiative is the brainchild of United States President George Bush and it is geared towards the treatment of HIV and Aids.Osotimehin said that the PEPFARinitiative had assisted Nigeria in its efforts at combating the virus.
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He made the call yesterday in Abuja at the on-going Havard PEPFARTri-country conference on HIV and Aids. He said that sharing knowledge and research materials on HIV and Aids would enable Africans combat the disease.
The PEPFAR initiative is the brainchild of United States President George Bush and it is geared towards the treatment of HIV and Aids.Osotimehin said that the PEPFARinitiative had assisted Nigeria in its efforts at combating the virus.
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South Africa: Plea for Work Security for HIV-Positive
The Aids Law Project has proposed an amendment to the Employment Equity Act that would make the adoption of HIV workplace policies legally compulsory.
It has also argued strongly against any relaxation of labour laws to make it easier for employers to take disciplinary action and dismiss employees, saying HIV-positive workers would suffer most harshly from this.
The proposals were made in a submission to Parliament's labour portfolio committee yesterday during a public hearing on workplace discrimination.
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It has also argued strongly against any relaxation of labour laws to make it easier for employers to take disciplinary action and dismiss employees, saying HIV-positive workers would suffer most harshly from this.
The proposals were made in a submission to Parliament's labour portfolio committee yesterday during a public hearing on workplace discrimination.
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HIV rates jump for NYC young men of color
New HIV diagnoses for gay and bisexual men under the age of 30 have increased by one third over the past six years in New York City, according to the city's health department. Furthermore, new diagnoses have doubled among gay and bisexual men between the ages of 13 and 19, while the rate has declined by 22% for men over 30.
The health department reports that black and Hispanic men are most at risk to contract the virus—among the entire group, black men were diagnosed at twice the rate of whites in 2006, and Hispanics received 55% more diagnoses. For teens, the rate is more staggering. Ninety percent of teens with HIV in the study were black or Hispanic.
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The health department reports that black and Hispanic men are most at risk to contract the virus—among the entire group, black men were diagnosed at twice the rate of whites in 2006, and Hispanics received 55% more diagnoses. For teens, the rate is more staggering. Ninety percent of teens with HIV in the study were black or Hispanic.
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Africa: The Effect of Migration on HIV Rates
Trying to measure the impact of the Zimbabwean exodus on HIV/AIDS rates in the region is so fraught with ifs, buts and maybes that the only reasonable assumption is that, like other migrants, economic migrants may run a higher risk of infection than they would have if they had not left their homes.
The scale of Zimbabwean migration to neighbouring states is disputed, with estimates ranging from more than three million people to a few hundred thousand, making an overall assessment of the actual spike in transference of the disease, if any, in the region difficult to assess, but it is accepted that the act of migration tends to increase HIV/AIDS infections.
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The scale of Zimbabwean migration to neighbouring states is disputed, with estimates ranging from more than three million people to a few hundred thousand, making an overall assessment of the actual spike in transference of the disease, if any, in the region difficult to assess, but it is accepted that the act of migration tends to increase HIV/AIDS infections.
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HIV-positive man accused of raping sleeping patient
An HIV-positive Lawrenceville man is being held without bond at the Gwinnett County Jail after he was accused of raping a sleeping female patient at a psychiatric hospital, police said Wednesday.
Wesley Randall Hatfield, 28, has been charged with rape and reckless conduct.
A nurse who walked into a patient's room at SummitRidge Center for Psychiatry & Addiction in Lawrenceville on Sept. 2 found Hatfield in bed with a female patient who appeared to be sleeping, according to a Lawrenceville police report. Hatfield also was a patient at the hospital, police said. read more
Wesley Randall Hatfield, 28, has been charged with rape and reckless conduct.
A nurse who walked into a patient's room at SummitRidge Center for Psychiatry & Addiction in Lawrenceville on Sept. 2 found Hatfield in bed with a female patient who appeared to be sleeping, according to a Lawrenceville police report. Hatfield also was a patient at the hospital, police said. read more
Falling Platelet Counts May Signal HIV-Linked Dementia
HIV-infected patients with declining blood platelet counts may be at increased risk for HIV-associated dementia, which causes a number of cognitive, behavioral and motor skill problems, researchers report.
Researchers at the Bloomberg School of Public Health at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore studied 396 patients with advanced HIV disease. Between 1998 and 2003, the patients were examined every six months, including mental and physical evaluations.
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Researchers at the Bloomberg School of Public Health at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore studied 396 patients with advanced HIV disease. Between 1998 and 2003, the patients were examined every six months, including mental and physical evaluations.
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Number of Partners Doesn't Explain Gay HIV Rate
The HIV epidemic among gay men can't be explained by their number of sexual partners, U.S. researchers report.
More than half the new HIV infections diagnosed in the United States in 2005 were among gay men, a team at the University of Washington, Seattle, noted. In addition, as many as one in five gay men living in cities may be HIV-positive.
In fact, two surveys found that most gay men have a similar rate of sex with unprotected partners compared to straight men or women. read more
More than half the new HIV infections diagnosed in the United States in 2005 were among gay men, a team at the University of Washington, Seattle, noted. In addition, as many as one in five gay men living in cities may be HIV-positive.
In fact, two surveys found that most gay men have a similar rate of sex with unprotected partners compared to straight men or women. read more
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Punjab ropes in HIV positive people, NGOs to counter AIDS
Chandigarh, Sept. 5: Punjab is gearing up to counter the AIDS threat with the help of HIV positive people and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
Pooja Thakur, herself an HIV positive person and an activist, is determined to educate people in the high risk areas like slums about the HIV/AIDS.
She runs an NGO "Chandigarh Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS" with a mission to give support to HIV infected women and children, who suffer from stigma, isolation and diseases. read more
Pooja Thakur, herself an HIV positive person and an activist, is determined to educate people in the high risk areas like slums about the HIV/AIDS.
She runs an NGO "Chandigarh Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS" with a mission to give support to HIV infected women and children, who suffer from stigma, isolation and diseases. read more
Malawi: Window of Hope Opens for People Living With HIV/Aids
Encouragingly, there are a number of initiatives employed by government and its numerous stakeholders to address this. It is therefore not surprising, that these efforts are bearing positive results and there are signs that things are beginning to change for the better.
Through these untiring efforts, more people are now aware of the disease and new evidence shows a declining trend in national adult HIV prevalence rate in the country. Malawi has a current official rate of 14% prevalence that indicates a decline of new HIV infections.
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Through these untiring efforts, more people are now aware of the disease and new evidence shows a declining trend in national adult HIV prevalence rate in the country. Malawi has a current official rate of 14% prevalence that indicates a decline of new HIV infections.
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Malawi: Mainstreaming HIV and Aids
Besides, over 20 years down the road since the disease was discovered, many people in this country are still not accustomed to talking openly about sex, the use of the condom as part of safer sex is low and polygamy or multiple sexual partners are common.
High unemployment, poverty, alcohol misuse and gender imbalance put an economic and social strain on vulnerable groups such as women and young people exposing them to risks of contacting the disease as they search for means of survival .
Furthermore, adequate medical care is not available and as such, the presence of HIV often goes undetected until Aids related symptoms are severe.
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High unemployment, poverty, alcohol misuse and gender imbalance put an economic and social strain on vulnerable groups such as women and young people exposing them to risks of contacting the disease as they search for means of survival .
Furthermore, adequate medical care is not available and as such, the presence of HIV often goes undetected until Aids related symptoms are severe.
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HIV blood couple win right to fight case in UK
A WELSH couple infected with HIV through contaminated blood products have won the right to fight their case in the UK courts.
Haemophiliac Haydn Lewis and his wife Gaynor became infected with HIV after Mr Lewis was given contaminated blood products to improve his blood’s ability to clot, made by an American pharmaceutical company.
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Haemophiliac Haydn Lewis and his wife Gaynor became infected with HIV after Mr Lewis was given contaminated blood products to improve his blood’s ability to clot, made by an American pharmaceutical company.
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Botswana: Rocking Against HIV/Aids
Roger Madison, who is one of the show's organizers, "For a hundred million reasons - We are happy with the Sound of Hope Music Festival to raise awareness on HIV/AIDS, in hope that the generation of today can have a better understanding of this wide spread disease. Music being a global language helps us to target different cultures and mindsets for a better tomorrow."
Ivo S'brana of Nosey Road Band further commented, "This Festival has fully embraced the HIV/AIDS awareness campaign for all that it stands for. Educating the masses and growing together needs to be addressed not only in our region but through out the world through consistent innovative ways and we are confident that this festival will be a great success in creating that awareness." read more
Ivo S'brana of Nosey Road Band further commented, "This Festival has fully embraced the HIV/AIDS awareness campaign for all that it stands for. Educating the masses and growing together needs to be addressed not only in our region but through out the world through consistent innovative ways and we are confident that this festival will be a great success in creating that awareness." read more
Malawi: Maximising HIV Test Counselling in STI Services
Integrating HIV Testing Counselling (HTC) into Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) service delivery has not been successful thereby calling for the intervention of non-medical HIV Testing Counsellors and the Opt-Out Strategy in the country's STI Clinics.
STI patients are at high risk of HIV transmission therefore HIV counselling and testing should be the standard of care for all STI patients; this, according to the National HIV and AIDS policy.
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STI patients are at high risk of HIV transmission therefore HIV counselling and testing should be the standard of care for all STI patients; this, according to the National HIV and AIDS policy.
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Nigeria: Only Two Percent of HIV/Aids Patients in Niger On Treatment
About 190,000 persons in Niger state are infected with the HIV/AIDS disease, the Director General, Agency for HIV/AIDS and other Communicable Diseases in the state, Alhaji Adamu Umaru, has disclosed. He expressed concern that only 2,000 out of this number were on anti-retroviral drugs.
The director general told our correspondent in Minna, on Monday, that the state had about 5.4 percent prevalence of HIV/AIDS cases.
He lamented the ranking of the state as the 11th highest in HIV/AIDS prevalence in the country, and stated the resolve of the government to create the desired awareness in combating the scourge.
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The director general told our correspondent in Minna, on Monday, that the state had about 5.4 percent prevalence of HIV/AIDS cases.
He lamented the ranking of the state as the 11th highest in HIV/AIDS prevalence in the country, and stated the resolve of the government to create the desired awareness in combating the scourge.
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HIV/AIDS in Papua New Guinea Could Mirror African Epidemic, U.N. Says
HIV/AIDS in Papua New Guinea could reflect the situation in Africa because new cases are increasing and more than 75% of people living with the virus are unable to access antiretroviral drugs, the United Nations said recently, Bloomberg reports. "It could very much become an Africa-type situation if the required services are not in place," Tim Rwabuhemba, UNAIDS Papua New Guinea coordinator, said, adding, "There is an urgent need for more HIV services across the board here." read more
FDA: Benefits of Merck HIV drug Isentress outweigh risks
The FDA released its review of Isentress ahead of a panel meeting next Wednesday that is being called to make recommendations to the agency about whether the drug should be approved.
The agency said the potential risks of Isentress include rash, liver injuries, muscle problems and cancer. The FDA said there was a higher number of cancers seen among patients in clinical studies receiving Isentress but said the "imbalance" appeared to reflect the low rate of cancers seen in the placebo group. read more
The agency said the potential risks of Isentress include rash, liver injuries, muscle problems and cancer. The FDA said there was a higher number of cancers seen among patients in clinical studies receiving Isentress but said the "imbalance" appeared to reflect the low rate of cancers seen in the placebo group. read more
HIV testing at BPOs may be illegal
June 2007 opened a can of worms in what is fast becoming one of India’s most controversial and sensitive labour law issues. Media reports recently said a few BPOs were examining the possibility of introducing HIV testing at their call centres.
Among the various concerns raised on the proposition were whether such testing would be discriminatory to employees and unconstitutional. As per the National Aids Control Organisation’s (NACO) 2006 estimate, adult HIV prevalence in India is about 0.36%, with 2-3 million living with HIV.
Undoubtedly, AIDS is one of the most serious issues faced by India. It is now a workplace issue because it affects labour and productivity, and also workplace has a vital role to play in the struggles to limit the spread and effects of the epidemic. read more
Among the various concerns raised on the proposition were whether such testing would be discriminatory to employees and unconstitutional. As per the National Aids Control Organisation’s (NACO) 2006 estimate, adult HIV prevalence in India is about 0.36%, with 2-3 million living with HIV.
Undoubtedly, AIDS is one of the most serious issues faced by India. It is now a workplace issue because it affects labour and productivity, and also workplace has a vital role to play in the struggles to limit the spread and effects of the epidemic. read more
One-fourth Of HIV Patients Believe Their Doctors Stigmatize Them
Even the perception that physicians are stigmatizing patients for carrying the virus that causes AIDS can discourage these individuals from seeking proper medical care, according to a new UCLA study.
The study, published in the August issue of the peer-reviewed journal AIDS Patient Care and STDs, found that up to one-fourth of patients surveyed in the Los Angeles area reported feeling stigmatized by their health care providers. This perception was also linked to low access to care among these patients, a large proportion of whom are low-income and minorities
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The study, published in the August issue of the peer-reviewed journal AIDS Patient Care and STDs, found that up to one-fourth of patients surveyed in the Los Angeles area reported feeling stigmatized by their health care providers. This perception was also linked to low access to care among these patients, a large proportion of whom are low-income and minorities
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Nigeria: No! HIV/Aids is Not Punishment From God
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr. John Onaiyekan, Catholic Archbishop of Abuja and President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), declared that if stigmatization and discrimination drive infected people underground and thus increase the danger of infections, religious messages could do a lot to eliminate such attitudes.
"We should all preach it loud and clear that HIV and AIDS are not punishment from God on sinners, and that care for the infected is a holy act pleasing to God. Such sermons should be seen in practice within our own systems. We should in no way be seen to be practicing the stigmatization and discrimination, which we condemn on our pulpits. The religious communities have tremendous possibilities to be educated and informed in their many weekly and daily religious gatherings", Onaiyekan, co-chair of the Interfaith Forum, stated.
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"We should all preach it loud and clear that HIV and AIDS are not punishment from God on sinners, and that care for the infected is a holy act pleasing to God. Such sermons should be seen in practice within our own systems. We should in no way be seen to be practicing the stigmatization and discrimination, which we condemn on our pulpits. The religious communities have tremendous possibilities to be educated and informed in their many weekly and daily religious gatherings", Onaiyekan, co-chair of the Interfaith Forum, stated.
read more
Monday, September 3, 2007
UN upset at HIV/AIDS victims buried alive
PORT MORESBY, PNG ---- Two United Nations agencies have expressed concern over the recent reports that people living with HIV/AIDS have been buried alive in the Southern Highlands Province in Papua New Guinea ( PNG), reports Post Courier
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) have sent a joint statement expressing their concerns that gross violations of human rights may have been committed against HIV positive people.
They were responding to the Post-Courier report two weeks ago, quoting Margaret Marabe, a person living with HIV/AIDS and active HIV advocate who said she had seen three HIV people buried alive.read more
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) have sent a joint statement expressing their concerns that gross violations of human rights may have been committed against HIV positive people.
They were responding to the Post-Courier report two weeks ago, quoting Margaret Marabe, a person living with HIV/AIDS and active HIV advocate who said she had seen three HIV people buried alive.read more
HIV drug shows cancer promise
BETHESDA, Md. (UPI) -- U.S. researchers said a drug used to treat HIV can slow the growth of cancer cells.
Researcher Phillip Dennis and colleagues at the National Cancer Institute began testing HIV drugs on cancer cells after noticing that the toxic effects the virus has on cells are similar to the changes seen in cancerous cells, Nature said Friday in a release.
Cancer scientists said repositioning drugs approved as HIV therapies could help to save lives by reducing the wait and cost of getting a cancer drug from the laboratory to the patient.
read more
Researcher Phillip Dennis and colleagues at the National Cancer Institute began testing HIV drugs on cancer cells after noticing that the toxic effects the virus has on cells are similar to the changes seen in cancerous cells, Nature said Friday in a release.
Cancer scientists said repositioning drugs approved as HIV therapies could help to save lives by reducing the wait and cost of getting a cancer drug from the laboratory to the patient.
read more
Government in dock as HIV couple sue US drug firms in blood scandal
Lawyers for a couple infected with HIV through contaminated blood products are hoping to reopen the issue of government responsibility for the scandal in the British courts.
Writs against the American pharmaceutical companies that supplied the blood products have been issued in the names of Haydn Lewis from Cardiff, a haemophiliac given contaminated blood who was diagnosed with HIV in 1985 and with hepatitis C in the early 1990s, and his wife Gaynor Lewis, whom he unwittingly infected with HIV.
The couple, with six other claimants, have been trying to pursue their case against the American companies for five years in the US courts. Recently, however, a US judge ruled that the cases should be heard in Britain. One of the reasons cited was that it would be easier for bodies such as the Department of Health to be joined in the action as defendants along with the drug companies.read more
Writs against the American pharmaceutical companies that supplied the blood products have been issued in the names of Haydn Lewis from Cardiff, a haemophiliac given contaminated blood who was diagnosed with HIV in 1985 and with hepatitis C in the early 1990s, and his wife Gaynor Lewis, whom he unwittingly infected with HIV.
The couple, with six other claimants, have been trying to pursue their case against the American companies for five years in the US courts. Recently, however, a US judge ruled that the cases should be heard in Britain. One of the reasons cited was that it would be easier for bodies such as the Department of Health to be joined in the action as defendants along with the drug companies.read more
Pill box organizers increase HIV patients' adherence and improve viral suppression
Incomplete adherence to HIV therapy is the most common cause of incomplete viral suppression, drug resistance, disease progression, and death among people living with HIV/AIDS. The subjects of this study, who were recruited from homeless shelters, free food programs, and single-room occupancy hotels, are thought to be at elevated risk for poor adherence partly because of the high rates of substance abuse, untreated mental illness, and unstable housing.
Patients in this difficult-to-treat population were given inexpensive pill box organizers to use with their antiretroviral medications. Study organizers made a total of 3,170 unannounced visits every three to six weeks to the subjects' places of residence and compared the number of pills remaining in the patients' possession with the number that would be expected to remain if the patients were perfectly compliant with the treatment regimen.
Pill box organizers were associated with a 4 percent improvement in adherence, 0.12 log reduction in HIV viral load, and an estimated 11 percent reduction in the risk of progression to clinical AIDS. At only $5 per pill box, this intervention was highly cost-effective.read more
Patients in this difficult-to-treat population were given inexpensive pill box organizers to use with their antiretroviral medications. Study organizers made a total of 3,170 unannounced visits every three to six weeks to the subjects' places of residence and compared the number of pills remaining in the patients' possession with the number that would be expected to remain if the patients were perfectly compliant with the treatment regimen.
Pill box organizers were associated with a 4 percent improvement in adherence, 0.12 log reduction in HIV viral load, and an estimated 11 percent reduction in the risk of progression to clinical AIDS. At only $5 per pill box, this intervention was highly cost-effective.read more
Council to view HIV contract, landmark
LONG BEACH - The City Council's mixed bag of issues Tuesday includes authorizing a hefty contract for HIV/AIDS health services, designating a home as a historic landmark and approving funding for a bluff-erosion problem.
At the regular 5 p.m. meeting, the council will be asked to authorize the city manager to enter into contracts with the state Department of Health Services for nearly $5.6 million in funding for clinical preventive HIV/AIDS health services.
The contracted health services - for a period of three years - will include HIV counseling and testing, education and outreach.
The HIV education and prevention program aims to reduce transmission of the disease, to change attitudes about risk behaviors, to promote risk-reduction skills, and to change people's sanctioning of unsafe sexual and drug-abuse behaviors, according to the staff report.
read more
At the regular 5 p.m. meeting, the council will be asked to authorize the city manager to enter into contracts with the state Department of Health Services for nearly $5.6 million in funding for clinical preventive HIV/AIDS health services.
The contracted health services - for a period of three years - will include HIV counseling and testing, education and outreach.
The HIV education and prevention program aims to reduce transmission of the disease, to change attitudes about risk behaviors, to promote risk-reduction skills, and to change people's sanctioning of unsafe sexual and drug-abuse behaviors, according to the staff report.
read more
Hong Kong sees rise in HIV infections
HIV infections soared to a record high in Hong Kong in the second quarter of 2007 and government doctors said they found a worrying cluster of new infections among homosexual men.
The government reported 111 new HIV infections between April and June this year, up from 91 in the first quarter.
Of the new infections uncovered from April to June, 35 were homosexual men, underlining the vulnerability of the group which has seen a steady rise in new infections since 2004.read more
Help bike race against AIDS in Madagascar
Madagascar could win the race against AIDS. With a seropositivity rate of under 3 percent, people still have the opportunity to protect themselves and their families from HIV/AIDS. How can we make this happen? Well, first people need to believe that AIDS exists and is a serious illness, then people need to believe it exists in their country, then their region and, eventually, that it may well exist in their community. Once people know it exists, they need to know how to protect themselves and how and where to get tested. Then they need to have available testing. Education, education, education -- it may well be the most vital component in the race against AIDS.
To that end, we're organizing the Hazakazaka Bisikileta sy Posi-Posy Ady Amin'ny SIDA; for those who don't speak Malagasy, that's the Bike and Rickshaw Race Against AIDS.read more
To that end, we're organizing the Hazakazaka Bisikileta sy Posi-Posy Ady Amin'ny SIDA; for those who don't speak Malagasy, that's the Bike and Rickshaw Race Against AIDS.read more
Vietnam to produce cheaper HIV/AIDS medicine
A Vietnamese-German joint venture has been licensed to supply locally-produced HIV/AIDS medicines in Vietnam at a fraction of imported drug costs.
Stada Vietnam will produce three types of new economical AIDS medicines - Stavudine Stada, Lamzidivir Stada and Nevirapine Stada - which could reduce the average annual cost of AIDS treatment in Vietnam from $3,000-4,000 to just $180.
HIV/AIDS treatment has been steadily improving in Vietnam recently, said an official from Ministry of Health, but he added that the number of infections has also been rising.
read more
Bulgaria To Sign Over Libyan Debt
Bulgaria will officially sign over the debt it is owed by Libya, a total USD 56,6 M, to a fund that will treat Libya's HIV-infected children, the Bulgarian foreign ministry said on Monday.
The agreement will be signed on Monday by Bulgaria's deputy foreign minister Feim Chaushev and the chairman of the Benghazi International Fund, Mark Pierini.
Bulgaria's cabinet agreed to write off the debt owed by Libya after six Bulgarian medics were returned to home soil from the North African country.
The medics have spent more than eight years in jail on charges of deliberately infecting more than 400 Libyan children with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.read more
The agreement will be signed on Monday by Bulgaria's deputy foreign minister Feim Chaushev and the chairman of the Benghazi International Fund, Mark Pierini.
Bulgaria's cabinet agreed to write off the debt owed by Libya after six Bulgarian medics were returned to home soil from the North African country.
The medics have spent more than eight years in jail on charges of deliberately infecting more than 400 Libyan children with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.read more
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Chandigarh shows the way in HIV care
Chandigarh, Sep 1: A person wanting to know about his or her HIV status, can simply walk into anyone of Chandigarh's four Integrated Control and Testing Centres (ICTC) and gather information, or to remove misconceptions about the disease.
A mobile testing centre, also run by the SACS, visits to places to spread awareness about ways to combat the disease.
Puja's support group also conducts novel awareness drives in high-risk areas.
The Central Government is finalising a legislation to protect HIV/AIDS victims against discrimination in schools, offices and hospitals.read more
A mobile testing centre, also run by the SACS, visits to places to spread awareness about ways to combat the disease.
Puja's support group also conducts novel awareness drives in high-risk areas.
The Central Government is finalising a legislation to protect HIV/AIDS victims against discrimination in schools, offices and hospitals.read more
HIV drug may harbour cancer cure
London, Sept. 1: An antiretroviral drug used in the treatment of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is also capable of slowing down the growth of cancer cells, say scientists.
The researchers used six approved HIV drugs in their experiments. They found that three of the drugs significantly slowed the growth of the tumour cells, and increased cell death.
Nelfinavir was found to be the most effective of the three drugs.read more
The researchers used six approved HIV drugs in their experiments. They found that three of the drugs significantly slowed the growth of the tumour cells, and increased cell death.
Nelfinavir was found to be the most effective of the three drugs.read more
AIDS needs more attention in Yemen
Dr. Jamil al-Mughales works in Saudi Arabia, but he still tries to help his home country, Yemen.
Yemen is still greatly lacking in AIDS education, and the facilities needed to treat patients, said Dr. Jamil Abdul-Wali Raweh al-Mughales, the Head of Clinical Immunology Services in the Immunology Department of the medical center at the King Abdulaziz University hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. While the disease has not reached epidemic proportions in this country, care must be taken now to prevent the spread of the disease.
Unfortunately, the problem of AIDS does not receive enough support in Yemen, though it has become a very important issue in this country. There are more than 300,000 immigrants from Africa, adding a dangerous burden to the main problem of AIDS in Yemen. Moreover, as you know, the health system in Yemen is not really strong enough to support the AIDS strategies in such a country.read more
Network of HIV affected and NGOs
MADURAI: With a view to get the exact figures of HIV infected people, Madurai District Administration would soon form a network of the affected persons and the organisations working for them.
District Collector S S Jawahar said that such a network would also help the administration to extend all the help needed to the affected people.
It was also necessary to provide sex-education to adolescent students, he saidread more
District Collector S S Jawahar said that such a network would also help the administration to extend all the help needed to the affected people.
It was also necessary to provide sex-education to adolescent students, he saidread more
Friday, August 31, 2007
Anti-AIDS blitz sees pharma firms locked in ugly battle
NEW DELHI: It’s a potent cocktail of rivalries involving pharma companies and NGOs. It has now emerged that Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the US-based NGO that accused Cipla of over pricing anti-AIDS drug, Viraday, in India is part funded by American anti-AIDS drug maker Gilead and the NGO’s treasurer is a senior Gilead executive.
This is largely the reason why foreign and Indian NGOs such as Medicine Sans Frontier (MSF), Delhi Network of Positive People (DNP+), Indian Network of Positive People (INP+), Sahara and others refused to be part of AHF’s anti-Cipla campaign.
Cipla had refused Gilead’s offer to sell the latter’s anti-AIDS drug Viread under a licensing agreement. Cipla is also the only Indian company opposing Gilead’s patent application for its blockbuster anti-HIV drug Viread in India. The hearing for the patent case of Viread is due in October.
read more
This is largely the reason why foreign and Indian NGOs such as Medicine Sans Frontier (MSF), Delhi Network of Positive People (DNP+), Indian Network of Positive People (INP+), Sahara and others refused to be part of AHF’s anti-Cipla campaign.
Cipla had refused Gilead’s offer to sell the latter’s anti-AIDS drug Viread under a licensing agreement. Cipla is also the only Indian company opposing Gilead’s patent application for its blockbuster anti-HIV drug Viread in India. The hearing for the patent case of Viread is due in October.
read more
NEWS WATCH: Prince Calls UK's Diana Worlds' "Best Mother" On 10th Anniversary Of Her Death
LONDON, UK (BosNewsLife)-- Britain's Prince Harry described princess Diana as "the best mother in the world" Friday, August 31, during an emotionally charged memorial service address marking the 10th anniversary of her death.
In April 1987, Diana was one of the first high-profile celebrities to be photographed touching a person infected with the AIDS virus, HIV, a move seen as helping to change perceptions about the disease.
“In 1987, when so many still believed that AIDS could be contracted through casual contact, Princess Diana sat on the sickbed of a man with AIDS and held his hand," said former US President Bill Clinton in 2001 at the 'Diana, Princess of Wales Lecture on AIDS.' "She showed the world that people with AIDS deserve no isolation, but compassion and kindness. It helped change world's opinion, and gave hope to people with AIDS," Clinton said at the time.
Prince Harry said that, "behind the media glare, to us - just two loving children - she was quite simply the best mother in the world."
read more
Nagaland plans all-faith talks
Kohima, Aug. 31: Determined to eradicate AIDS from Nagaland, Naga Church leaders and NGOs are holding talks on a roadmap for an integrated approach to proper care of HIV/AIDS-affected people.
Churches will also hold inter-faith dialogue to carry out a follow-up programme. The prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in Nagaland is 1.63 per cent.
The Development Association of Nagaland of the Catholic Church and the Nagaland Development Organisation of the Baptist Church have decided to initiate dialogue with members of other faiths. According to them, AIDS claims more lives than any other disease in the world and a concerted effort is needed to save the people of Nagaland from the incurable disease. read more
Churches will also hold inter-faith dialogue to carry out a follow-up programme. The prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in Nagaland is 1.63 per cent.
The Development Association of Nagaland of the Catholic Church and the Nagaland Development Organisation of the Baptist Church have decided to initiate dialogue with members of other faiths. According to them, AIDS claims more lives than any other disease in the world and a concerted effort is needed to save the people of Nagaland from the incurable disease. read more
GLOBAL: Encouraging news in vaccine development
OHANNESBURG, 31 August 2007 (PlusNews) - The long road to developing an effective HIV vaccine has been fraught with false leads and disappointing outcomes, but promising preliminary results from a vaccine study conducted in South Africa and the United States suggest scientists may finally be on the right path.
The phase II study was designed to test for evidence that the vaccine could trigger an immune response - the body's natural defence against infection - and also that it would be safe.
The results are sufficiently positive to support future trials investigating whether the vaccine can actually lower the likelihood of contracting HIV or, at the very least, slow the progression of HIV infection to AIDS. read more
FDA Cites Benefits of Merck HIV Drug
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A new HIV-fighting drug from Merck & Co. appears superior to options for patients who have stopped responding to available drugs, federal regulators said Friday.
The Food and Drug Administration said Merck's studies of Isentress show the drug is safe and effective to treat HIV patients who have developed a resistance to other medica .
The agency posted its review of the drug to the FDA Web site ahead of a Wednesday meeting, where outside experts are scheduled to vote on the drug's safety and effectiveness. FDA is not required to follow the experts' recommendations, though it usually does.
The agency granted the drug priority review status earlier this year, meaning staffers would finish the review in six months, four months earlier than usual. A decision is expected mid-October.
If approved, Isentress would be the first in a new class of HIV treatments called integrase inhibitors that block the virus from infecting cells and reproducing.
Government scientists said Isentress has a favorable safety profile, with rash and elevated levels of creatine in the blood reported as the most common side effects.
read more
The Food and Drug Administration said Merck's studies of Isentress show the drug is safe and effective to treat HIV patients who have developed a resistance to other medica .
The agency posted its review of the drug to the FDA Web site ahead of a Wednesday meeting, where outside experts are scheduled to vote on the drug's safety and effectiveness. FDA is not required to follow the experts' recommendations, though it usually does.
The agency granted the drug priority review status earlier this year, meaning staffers would finish the review in six months, four months earlier than usual. A decision is expected mid-October.
If approved, Isentress would be the first in a new class of HIV treatments called integrase inhibitors that block the virus from infecting cells and reproducing.
Government scientists said Isentress has a favorable safety profile, with rash and elevated levels of creatine in the blood reported as the most common side effects.
read more
Harborview to Offer HIV Clinic in Bremerton
Haborview Medical Center, the Kitsap County Health District and the state Department of Health have announced the opening of a satellite HIV clinic in Bremerton, effective Friday, Sept. 7.
The clinic, a partnership between the three entities, will address the health care needs of HIV infected persons who reside in Kitsap and neighboring counties where access to HIV providers is limited. Currently, almost 300 persons and reported diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in Kitsap County, according to the Kitsap County Health District, with close to 1,500 more in neighboring Pierce County. read more
The clinic, a partnership between the three entities, will address the health care needs of HIV infected persons who reside in Kitsap and neighboring counties where access to HIV providers is limited. Currently, almost 300 persons and reported diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in Kitsap County, according to the Kitsap County Health District, with close to 1,500 more in neighboring Pierce County. read more
Medical body probes initiates’ views on HIV
A NEWLY released pilot study looking at initiates and initiation ceremonies in the Eastern Cape has probed young Xhosa men’s attitudes towards sex and HIV/Aids.
The report, released this week by the Medical Research Council, was carried out last December in an
effort to understand the initiation and circumcision rite and to find ways to develop a tool to introduce HIV education.
Professor Priscilla Reddy, head of the MRC’s HIV lead programmes, said 114 initiates were included in this pilot study which covered the rural areas of Butterworth, Mount Ayliff and Ntabankulu. She said the pilot study had paved the way for a bigger study to cover most of the Eastern Cape later this year.read more
The report, released this week by the Medical Research Council, was carried out last December in an
effort to understand the initiation and circumcision rite and to find ways to develop a tool to introduce HIV education.
Professor Priscilla Reddy, head of the MRC’s HIV lead programmes, said 114 initiates were included in this pilot study which covered the rural areas of Butterworth, Mount Ayliff and Ntabankulu. She said the pilot study had paved the way for a bigger study to cover most of the Eastern Cape later this year.read more
Gay sex leading contributor to AIDS in Hong Kong
Experts claim that male to male sexual encounters are a leading contributor to the number of people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS,by Chris Pycroft - Associate Producer AU on 2007-08-31.
Homosexuals are again being warned about their sexual habits, after Hong Kong has reported its highest number of people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in a quarter on record.
111 people were diagnosed with the disease in the April – June quarter, with another cluster of eight Chinese men being diagnosed with HIV-1 Subtype B, and existing groups of people with HIV expanding.
Currently, close to 60 percent of people diagnosed with HIV in Hong Kong contract the disease from male to male sexual encounters. read more
Xi'an appoints three hospitals to provide delivery services for pregnant HIV-positive women
Shanghai. August 31. INTERFAX-CHINA - The government of Xi'an, the capital of northwestern China's Shaanxi Province, has designated three medical institutions to offer birth delivery services to HIV-positive women, the Xi'an Municipal Department of Heath announced today. read more
Director of Waverley Care, which runs Milestone House, says Diana helped take away the stigma of HIV.
Diana visited Milestone House, Britain's first purpose-built hospice for people suffering from Aids and HIV, in October 1991. The Princess laughed and joked as she drank tea with three Aids patients in the hospice conservatory.
She later visited family groups in their private rooms and emerged holding the hand of one woman resident.
"Diana formally opened Milestone House and more than anyone else helped break down the stigma surrounding HIV. She was prepared to be seen hugging and shaking hands with people with HIV in the early 1990s when there was still a lot of hysteria around the topic.
"It made a lot of impact on how people saw HIV. People thought that if it was OK for a princess to do that, then it must be OK.
"People in our HIV sector would want to remember her because she made an important contribution to the field of Aids awareness." read more
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