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
Monday, September 17, 2007
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.
read more
"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.
read more
'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.
read more
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.
read more
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."
read more
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.
read more
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.
read more
'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.
read more
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
read more
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
read more
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.
read more
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.
read more
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
read more
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
read more
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.
read more
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
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