Research/News - 2010
Risk Factors for Detectable HIV-1 RNA at Delivery
Sep 14, 2010
In the United States, more than 6000 women with HIV become pregnant each year. Numerous interventions have been put into place which can decrease the risk of newborn HIV infection to less than one percent for many patients. The Women and Infants Transmission Study (WITS)... Read More
The Intersection of HIV and Maternal Mortality
Sep 14, 2010
Worldwide, the top two causes of death in women of reproductive age are HIV/AIDS and complications related to pregnancy. Respectively, these account for 19 and 15 percent of all deaths in women aged 15-44 years. Though the majority of women survive for many years after... Read More
Effective Microbicide to Prevent HIV Transmission
Sep 09, 2010
The CAPRISA 004 trial in South Africa found that the use of tenofovir gel, a microbicide, by women prior to and after sex led to a decrease in HIV transmission. Women were followed for 30 months. Those with a high adherence rate to gel usage showed a 54% reduction in HIV... Read More
Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among Serodiscordant Couples
Sep 08, 2010
This commentary proposes the use of periconception pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in preventing HIV transmission between serodiscordant couples interested in conceiving. While methods such as artificial insemination and sperm washing are alternatives, these are not... Read More
Opt-Out HIV Testing in EDs - Effective?
Sep 08, 2010
Diagnostic HIV testing was compared to nontargeted opt-out rapid HIV testing in an emergency department. Approximately 75% of ED patients declined HIV testing when offered. Of those identified to have a new HIV diagnosis, slightly more were identified through opt-out... Read More
Lopinavir/Ritonavir and Dosing During Pregnancy
Aug 23, 2010
Although recommended as the preferred protease inhibitor for antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy, optimal dosing for Lopinavir/Ritonavir has not been provided in the guidelines. This study looked at providing an increased dose (3 tablets daily versus two) during the... Read More
How Often Does HIV Vaccine Trial Participation Produce False-Positive Results?
Aug 18, 2010
The continuation of HIV vaccine trials have raised the question of the frequency of vaccine-induced seropositivity (VISP) as a result of participation in the trials. This study found that 42% of study participants had VISP but were truly HIV-seronegative. The rates of... Read More
Strong Link Between Poverty and HIV Infection in U.S.
Jul 19, 2010
A new CDC study of low-income heterosexuals in America's inner cities shows that poverty is the most important demographic factor associated with HIV infection. The new analysis shows that 2.1 percent of heterosexuals living in high-poverty urban areas in the U.S. are... Read More
New HIV Test Approved
Jun 28, 2010
The FDA approved a new blood test that detects both HIV antigen and HIV antibodies. This allows, for the first time in the U.S., for the diagnosis of acute as well as chronic HIV infection.
For more information, read the FDA press release.
Pregnancy Increases Risk for HIV Infection in Men
Jun 13, 2010
According to a first-ever study presented at the 2010 International Microbicides Conference, a man's risk of becoming infected with HIV doubles when his HIV-infected female partner becomes pregnant. The incidence of transmission from women to men was 1.6 outside of... Read More
