In April of 2011, an AIDS drug- Truvada- was pulled from clinical trials after several African women participants were getting infected with the virus. These participants were in relationships where their male partners were infected with the virus.
This week, however, scientists at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections showed that the results may not have come from a lack of efficacy on the drug's part. Blood samples taken from the participants revealed that only one in four women who had gotten infected during the trials had any trace of Truvada in their blood- suggesting the pills were never taken. This new information leaves researcher and physicians alike with conflicting feelings- on one hand, the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis may decrease one's probability of viral infectivity, on the other, even if the stated case is true, behavioral choices may prevent these forms of preventative care from working. The behavioral choices may be influenced by social norms and stigmas- the presence of AIDS medication in several African regions (as well as regions worldwide) have negative stigma associated with them.
In the United States, incidence rates have plateaued at approximately 50,000 annual cases with a good portion of these cases being identified as black women from lower socio-economic statuses. New efforts have been implemented aimed at proper screening and diagnostics for "at-risk" groups including the Center for Disease Control's new "Take Charge. Take the Test." initiative.
-Angela Ceseña
Source:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/09/health/research/setback-on-aids-pill-is-re-evaluated.html?_r=1&ref=health
Sunday, March 11, 2012
HIV among Black Women
At a recent conference on retroviruses, Dr. Hodder presented a study on the prevalence of HIV among American black women. In "HPTN 064 Women's HIV Seroincidence Study (ISIS)", it was found that among a study of 2,099 adult females (88% of whom were African-American), 0.24% of participants were HIV positive; this rate is 5 times higher than the rate predicted by the CDC for the general population of African-American women.
This study is getting a high amount of press because this infection rate is comparable to developing countries known for their burgeoning HIV rate - for instance, Congo at 0.28% and Kenya at 0.53% HIV-positivity.
Although the study focused on areas known to have high HIV rates and prevalent poverty, this is still a very concerning statistic for even a subpopulation. On the whole, 66% of new HIV infections among women in the US occur among African-American women, while only 14% of US women are actually African-American. This disparity is alarming and begs to be addressed by behavioral interventions. Hopefully the attention of the HIV-aware community can be directed toward black women just as intensely as it has been directed toward homosexual men in the past.
Article: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/242762.php
- Elena Higuchi
This study is getting a high amount of press because this infection rate is comparable to developing countries known for their burgeoning HIV rate - for instance, Congo at 0.28% and Kenya at 0.53% HIV-positivity.
Although the study focused on areas known to have high HIV rates and prevalent poverty, this is still a very concerning statistic for even a subpopulation. On the whole, 66% of new HIV infections among women in the US occur among African-American women, while only 14% of US women are actually African-American. This disparity is alarming and begs to be addressed by behavioral interventions. Hopefully the attention of the HIV-aware community can be directed toward black women just as intensely as it has been directed toward homosexual men in the past.
Article: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/242762.php
- Elena Higuchi
Boceprevir approved for use by Britain's state health service.
Merck’s new hepatitis C drug, Boceprevir (Victrelis) has won recommendation for use in Britain’s state health service. It was widely discussed especially because the drug is especially expensive. This an important drug because unlike previous INV +Ribavirin combination therapy, Boceprevir can be used in the treatment of hepatitis due to HCV genotype 1, the most common form of hepatitis C. It will be used in combination with Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin for genotype 1 hepatitis C.
Boceprevir is an NS3/4A protease inhibitor. This drug stops viral replication by binding to a protease that would work to cleave the polyprotein. Thus this drug prevents the production of functional viral protein. Pegylated interferons are used to moderate the immune system. Ribivirin is a nucleoside analog and when given with IFN, it can reduce viral replication.
Original Article from Reuters: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/09/merck-britain-idUSL5E8E8AH120120309
More info on HCV Medications:
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/177792-medication#2
--Elena Jordan
Boceprevir is an NS3/4A protease inhibitor. This drug stops viral replication by binding to a protease that would work to cleave the polyprotein. Thus this drug prevents the production of functional viral protein. Pegylated interferons are used to moderate the immune system. Ribivirin is a nucleoside analog and when given with IFN, it can reduce viral replication.
Original Article from Reuters: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/09/merck-britain-idUSL5E8E8AH120120309
More info on HCV Medications:
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/177792-medication#2
--Elena Jordan
Monday, March 5, 2012
Potential for Long-Term Flu Vaccination
Princeton University researchers have recently developed what could be a "universal" vaccine protecting against all influenza strains. The vaccine is designed to target the relatively unchanging parts of the virus and hamper its ability to evolve rapidly. Currently, flu vaccines target the virus' most adaptable parts.
So far, the researchers have only been able to demonstrate success on a computational model, given that no humans have received their designed vaccines. James Lloyd Smith from UCLA says, "This is the first study that looks at the population consequences of the next generation of vaccines, both in terms of epidemiological impact and evolutionary impact on the virus."
Current flu vaccine focuses on the hemagglutinin proteins protruding on the cell surface. Small mutations in this area are the cause of the rapidly evolving virus family. The universal vaccine, however, ignores the hemagglutinin area, and target more commonly conserved proteins.
Pooja
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120227111536.htm
So far, the researchers have only been able to demonstrate success on a computational model, given that no humans have received their designed vaccines. James Lloyd Smith from UCLA says, "This is the first study that looks at the population consequences of the next generation of vaccines, both in terms of epidemiological impact and evolutionary impact on the virus."
Current flu vaccine focuses on the hemagglutinin proteins protruding on the cell surface. Small mutations in this area are the cause of the rapidly evolving virus family. The universal vaccine, however, ignores the hemagglutinin area, and target more commonly conserved proteins.
Pooja
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120227111536.htm
Leukemia drugs can treat ebola
Ebola is known for its terrifyingly rapid and unstoppable death. But at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Mayra Garcia's lab has shown that two leukemia drugs, notlitinib and imatinib, can slow the progression of the virus. It does this by stopping the function of the oncogene Abl (a tyrosine kinase), which is necessary for viral budding through the activity of the matrix protein VP40.
This is a really weird overlap of two very different fields! And very cool! The drug can stop rapidly replicating cells and rapidly replicating viruses, though the mechanism is somewhat different. I wonder why viral budding needs Abl? The research hasn't left cell plates yet, but it sounds promising to me. The drugs are kind of toxic, but nothing beats the toxicity of ebola... Anyhow, Its a good reminder to learn everything we can about viral processes, because apparently we can use drugs we've already developed to stop them!
Article.
-Annelise
This is a really weird overlap of two very different fields! And very cool! The drug can stop rapidly replicating cells and rapidly replicating viruses, though the mechanism is somewhat different. I wonder why viral budding needs Abl? The research hasn't left cell plates yet, but it sounds promising to me. The drugs are kind of toxic, but nothing beats the toxicity of ebola... Anyhow, Its a good reminder to learn everything we can about viral processes, because apparently we can use drugs we've already developed to stop them!
Article.
-Annelise
Sunday, March 4, 2012
HIV Infection Rate Down Amongst IV Drug Users In United States
Felt this was relevant considering we've talked a lot about HIV testing and infection rates during class and in the pset.
The CDC announced the results of a survey conducted in 2009 among 10,000 individuals from major urban areas that concluded that the rate of HIV infection among intravenous drug users (IDUs) fell from 18 to 9 percent as compared to 1990s. While this appears to be solid progress in the fight against HIV, the CDC cautions that the report also indicates several negative signs as well. The study shows a significant decline in testing rates(to 49%) and knowledge of one's seropositive status( half of those infected didn't know they were infected) and a large rate of high-risk behaviors such as needle-sharing(1/3 participated), unprotected sex(the majority), and multiple sex partners.
This study comes at an interesting time in our class since it's implications forces us to think about the complexities of epidemiology, especially with such a life-long infection and in these high-risk populations. Does this report mark a step forward due to the fall in prevalence, or a lack of gain/step back due to the decrease in testing and the perpetuation of high-risk behaviors that guarantee high incidence?
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/02/usa-hiv-drugs-idUSL2E8E205R20120302
-Zachary Herrera
The CDC announced the results of a survey conducted in 2009 among 10,000 individuals from major urban areas that concluded that the rate of HIV infection among intravenous drug users (IDUs) fell from 18 to 9 percent as compared to 1990s. While this appears to be solid progress in the fight against HIV, the CDC cautions that the report also indicates several negative signs as well. The study shows a significant decline in testing rates(to 49%) and knowledge of one's seropositive status( half of those infected didn't know they were infected) and a large rate of high-risk behaviors such as needle-sharing(1/3 participated), unprotected sex(the majority), and multiple sex partners.
This study comes at an interesting time in our class since it's implications forces us to think about the complexities of epidemiology, especially with such a life-long infection and in these high-risk populations. Does this report mark a step forward due to the fall in prevalence, or a lack of gain/step back due to the decrease in testing and the perpetuation of high-risk behaviors that guarantee high incidence?
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/02/usa-hiv-drugs-idUSL2E8E205R20120302
-Zachary Herrera
New influenza in bats
A new strain of influenza A virus was identified in 316 yellow-shouldered bats. It's the first time that an influenza virus was found in bats. Given the history of bat-origin emerging infectious diseases, the possibilities of this virus crossing over to humans is frightening. However, authorities believe that it's not transmissible to humans. The yellow-shouldered bats in which the virus is identified in do not bite humans, feed on fruits, and is native to Central and South America.
Reading this article reminded me of the beginning of a new "Contagiou-like" movie. Because the short time since the identification of this virus hasn't permitted a comprehensive study to be done on the transmissbility potential of the virus, I am skeptical in the authorities' claim that the virus would not transmit to humans. Only time will tell!
Michelle Jin
Source: http://www.brecorder.com/general-news/172/1161773/
Reading this article reminded me of the beginning of a new "Contagiou-like" movie. Because the short time since the identification of this virus hasn't permitted a comprehensive study to be done on the transmissbility potential of the virus, I am skeptical in the authorities' claim that the virus would not transmit to humans. Only time will tell!
Michelle Jin
Source: http://www.brecorder.com/general-news/172/1161773/
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