Monday, August 13, 2007

News - UK HIV drug resistance increasing

A team of UK researchers warn progress in cutting death and disease from HIV could be imperilled.

They studied 2,357 people with HIV, and found 335 (14%) had some level of resistance to at least one drug before they had even begun therapy.

But the latest finding suggested that people were now being infected with forms of HIV that were drug resistant from the outset - in many cases through unsafe sex with somebody who had undergone treatment.

We should pay more attention about HIV,believe science ,believe self,......read more

FDA Approves Maraviroc, First Drug in New Class of Anti-HIV Medications


On August 6, 2007, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved maraviroc (Selzentry), the first drug to be approved in the CCR5 coreceptor antagonist class of anti-HIV medications.

Maraviroc has been approved for use in conjunction with other antiretrovirals in treatment-experienced adults who have exclusively CCR5-tropic HIV virus, evidence of viral replication, and resistance to multiple antiretroviral medications. read more

Uganda: Ugawood Budding, But HIV/Aids is Forgotten

Even with all the accolades the country has won in the past for bringing down the infection rates of HIV/Aids against all odds, Ugandan filmmakers are giving the disease a wide berth. But if the people are increasingly moving away from Nigerian films to indigenous ones, the message on how to avoid catching HIV/Aids has not been top of the agenda

if the people are increasingly moving away from Nigerian films to indigenous ones, the message on how to avoid catching HIV/Aids has not been top of the agenda. The best attempts at preaching the message are not by local directors but by people who have come from abroad. These are also few.

When HIV broke out in Uganda, the people looked to the authorities to provide answers and they adhered to the provided solutions because they did not know how best to react. The government told them to "zero graze," "to stay faithful to one sexual partner," to test for their sero status. Falling short of these guidelines was a matter of death. And Ugandans were running scared.read more

New HIV Drug Curbs Drug-Resistant HIV

July 5, 2007 -- An experimental HIV drug called etravirine may help treat drug-resistant HIV as part of an HIV drug "cocktail" that also includes the HIV medication Prezista.

"This study is one of the most significant worldwide HIV/AIDS clinical trials in recent years," says researcher William Towner, MD, of Kaiser Permanente Southern California, in a Kaiser Permanente news release.

Towner is the medical director of Kaiser Permanente Southern California's HIV/AIDS Research Trials. He is also the Kaiser Permanente Southern California regional HIV/AIDS physician coordinator. read more

AIDS combat

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R) on Wednesday approved a measure that will provide $3 million annually, as well as a one-time grant of $1 million, to provide increased access to HIV/AIDS treatment in the state, the Columbia State reports.

The funds also will be used to reduce the number of people on the waiting list for the state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program. As of June 29, the state’s ADAP waiting list stood at 362 people (Reid, Columbia State, 6/29). ADAPs are federal- and state-funded programs that provide HIV/AIDS-related medications to low-income, uninsured and underinsured HIV-positive individuals. read more

Taking New HIV Meds?

Welcome to the Your Everyday Support (Y.E.S.) Program for TRUVADA® (emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate). You took an important step when you and your healthcare provider decided to make once-daily TRUVADA part of your HIV regimen.

Whether you're just starting treatment for the first time or you have switched to TRUVADA from another med, this program can help you get the most of your treatment.

This program is your chance to say "YES" to sticking with your HIV meds to help make your treatment successful. Making a personal commitment to take 100% of your meds can help you reach your treatment goals. The TRUVADA Y.E.S. Program is there to support you by providing the inspiration, tools and resources you need to help you stay on track.
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NIAID HIV and Emerging Infectious Diseases Program

Goal of Study
The NIH is conducting a research study to evaluate patients who have been able to control the progression of HIV for long periods without the use of antiretroviral therapy. Some immune system-related genes have been identified in people who are often labeled “long-term non-progressors” (LTNP).

These HLA genes include B27, B35, B44, B57, B58 and/or A02. We will conduct genetic testing, blood collection and tissue sampling in the hope of better understanding how some rare individuals can suppress HIV without medications. Volunteers will be compensated.

Study Regimen
We will collect white blood cells by a process called leukapheresis, a standard blood collection procedure, which will remove white cells first, and then replace the red cells, through the same needle. We will accept HIV+ participants who meet the eligibility criteria listed below. Volunteers will be compensated
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