The benevolent powers of the vaginal microbiome are even greater than we thought. In addition to aiding fertilization and protecting fetuses during pregnancy, healthy vaginal mucus that’s full of good bacteria can trap and immobilize HIV particles. The study examined the cervicovaginal mucus, or CVM, of 31 women and tested its ability to immobilize HIV particles. CVM samples that contained higher concentrations of D-lactic acid, which only bacteria can produce, did far better than others. The D-lactic acid wasn’t itself a barrier to HIV, but an indicator of something else going on that made certain types of CVM better at trapping the virus than others.
That something was Lactobacillus crispatus, a species of bacteria that could change the way we think about HIV prevention.
- Published
- 08 October 2015
- From
-
Slate
People who don’t have enough food to eat are less likely to
have an undetectable viral load than other people living with HIV, according to
a longitudinal
- Published
- 23 June 2015
- By
- Roger Pebody
As the developing world becomes more developed, the rise in prosperity in these countries could also result in the rise of a lethal infectious disease -- tuberculosis (TB). It is not widely known that diabetes also triples the risk a person will develop TB.
"Diabetes reduces peoples immunity," says Dr. Anthony Harries, senior adviser to the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases . "The same biology underlies the interaction between TB and HIV, which attacks and destroys your immune system. Globally we have about 2 billion people with latent TB. Put diabetes into that equation and you immediately see there is a problem."
- Published
- 20 November 2014
- From
-
CNN
Low vitamin D
concentrations are associated with an increased risk of HIV disease progression
among people starting antiretroviral therapy, investigators report in the
online edition of The Journal
- Published
- 19 May 2014
- By
- Michael Carter
Researchers have shown that a dietary supplement given during the first months of HIV treatment significantly improves the general condition of patients. Their results are published in the journal BMJ.
- Published
- 15 May 2014
- From
-
University of Copenhagen (press release)
Based on a survey of 287 people diagnosed with HIV across England the report found that two-thirds of were affected by benefit changes, with nine out of ten reporting poorer health and limited access to HIV care as a result. Handling of the reforms is criticised in the report, in particular assessments and their failure in supporting some of the most vulnerable in our community.
- Published
- 03 April 2014
- From
-
Positively UK
High-dose supplementation with selenium and vitamin E can raise the risk of high-grade prostate cancer among certain men.
- Published
- 28 February 2014
- From
-
AIDSMeds
In Uganda the prescription of three antiretroviral drugs, which aim to suppress the virus to prevent disease progression, have resulted in huge reductions in HIV mortality rates. However, disease is not the only scourge in Uganda, and a new study in The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology explores the impact food insecurity may have on treating pregnant women.
- Published
- 19 February 2014
- From
-
Eurekalert Medicine & Health
Long-term micronutrient
supplementation delays HIV disease progression in people with higher CD4 cell
counts, results of a study published in the Journal
of the American Medical Association shows.
- Published
- 28 November 2013
- By
- Michael Carter
Two common fungi found on food in developing countries could be worsening the effects of HIV, say researchers from the University of Alabama, Birmingham.
- Published
- 21 August 2013
- From
-
HIV / AIDS News From Medical News Today
Antiretroviral drug chartA one-page reference guide to the anti-HIV drugs licensed for use in the UK or European Union, with information on formulation, dosing, key side effects and food requirements.
Your next stepsA booklet with information for people who’ve just found
out they have HIV.
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