HIV/AIDS eradication

Antiretroviral therapy can inhibit HIV replication in patients and prevent progression to AIDS. However, it is not curative. Here we provide an overview of what antiretroviral drugs do and how the virus persists during therapy in rare reservoirs, such as latently infected CD4+ T cells. We also outline several innovative methods that are currently under development to eradicate HIV from infected individuals. These strategies include gene therapy approaches intended to create an HIV-resistant immune system, and activation/elimination approaches directed towards flushing out latent virus. This latter approach could involve the use of novel chemically synthesized analogs of natural activating agents.     

MSM and HIV/AIDS in China

This article profiles current status of spread and control of HIV/AIDS in China. China has a significant population of MSM (men who have sex with men) and they have been becoming very much alive in many ways since 1990s due to recent social changes. Some surveys indicate that great many of MSM are engaged in high-risk behaviors. In addition,majority of MSM have also experienced sexual encounters with women sometimes in their lives, which possibly contribute to spread of HIV to women. Some reports documented that HIV is becoming rampant among MSM since more than 1% of them are now infected. Political, cultural and custom elements could hinder intervention activities against HIV spread among MSM. Fortunately, many cities in China have seen that MSM were in cooperation with responsible institutions carrying out certain intervention measures. The general situation is promising. The authors forecast that the fast HIV spread among MSM of China could possibly be halted within several years when the authorities become more sensible to this issue, health service institutions offer unswerving efforts toward the MSM community and those who involve in MSM undertakes necessary responsibilities.     

MSM and HIV/AIDS in China

This article profiles current status of spread and control of HIV/AIDS in China. China has a significant population of MSM (men who have sex with men) and they have been becoming very much alive in many ways since 1990s due to recent social changes. Some surveys indicate that great many of MSM are engaged in high-risk behaviors. In addition, majority of MSM have also experienced sexual encounters with women sometimes in their lives, which possibly contribute to spread of HIV to women. Some reports documented that HIV is becoming rampant among MSM since more than 1% of them are now infected. Political, cultural and custom elements could hinder intervention activities against HIV spread among MSM. Fortunately, many cities in China have seen that MSM were in cooperation with responsible institutions carrying out certain intervention measures. The general situation is promising. The authors forecast that the fast HIV spread among MSM of China could possibly be halted within several years when the authorities become more sensible to this issue, health service institutions offer unswerving efforts toward the MSM community and those who involve in MSM undertakes necessary responsibilities.     

MSM and HIV/AIDS in China

INTRODUCTION The term MSM (men who have sex with men) was introduced into mainland China in 2000. Homosexuals, without identifying gender, were used previously to de- scribe MSM by authorities, the public and even professionals. The first confirmed MSM ca…     

Cost effectiveness of a pharmacy-only refill program in a large urban HIV/AIDS clinic in Uganda

Background

HIV/AIDS clinics in Uganda and other low-income countries face increasing numbers of patients and workforce shortages. We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis comparing a Pharmacy-only Refill Program (PRP), a form of task-shifting, to the Standard of Care (SOC) at a large HIV/AIDS clinic in Uganda, the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI). The PRP was started to reduce workforce shortages and optimize patient care by substituting pharmacy visits for SOC involving monthly physician visits for accessing antiretroviral medicines.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We used a retrospective cohort analysis to compare the effectiveness of the PRP compared to SOC. Effectiveness was defined as Favorable Immune Response (FIR), measured as having a CD4 lymphocyte count of over 500 cells/µl at follow-up. We used multivariate logistic regression to assess the difference in FIR between patients in the PRP and SOC. We incorporated estimates of effectiveness into an incremental cost-effectiveness analysis performed from a limited societal perspective. We estimated costs from previous studies at IDI and conducted univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. We identified 829 patients, 578 in the PRP and 251 in SOC. After 12.8 months (PRP) and 15.1 months (SOC) of follow-up, 18.9% of patients had a FIR, 18.6% in the PRP and 19.6% in SOC. There was a non-significant 9% decrease in the odds of having a FIR for PRP compared to SOC after adjusting for other variables (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.55–1.58). The PRP was less costly than the SOC (US$ 520 vs. 655 annually, respectively). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio comparing PRP to SOC was US$ 13,500 per FIR. PRP remained cost-effective at univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analysis.

Conclusion/Significance

The PRP is more cost-effective than the standard of care. Similar task-shifting programs might help large HIV/AIDS clinics in Uganda and other low-income countries to cope with increasing numbers of patients seeking care.     

MSM and HIV/AIDS in China

This article profiles current status of spread and control of HIV/AIDS in China. China has a significant population of MSM （men who have sex with men） and they have been becoming very much alive in many ways since 1990s due to recent social changes. Some surveys indicate that great many of MSM are engaged in high-risk behaviors. In addition, majority of MSM have also experienced sexual encounters with women sometimes in their lives, which possibly contribute to spread of HIV to women. Some reports documented that HIV is becoming rampant among MSM since more than 1% of them are now infected. Political, cultural and custom elements could hinder intervention activities against HIV spread among MSM. Fortunately, many cities in China have seen that MSM were in cooperation with responsible institutions carrying out certain intervention measures. The general situation is promising. The authors forecast that the fast HIV spread among MSM of China could possibly be halted within several years when the authorities become more sensible to this issue, health service institutions offer unswerving efforts toward the MSM community and those who involve in MSM undertakes necessary responsibilities.     

HIV/AIDS的细胞治疗

获得性免疫缺陷综合征（AIDS）是由人类免疫缺陷病毒（HIV）感染引起的危险性极高的慢性传染病。高效抗逆转录病毒疗法（HAART）能够阻断正在进行的病毒复制而不能清除潜伏的病毒,目前尚无有效根治AIDS方法。免疫细胞在HIV/AIDS发展过程的不同阶段发挥着十分复杂的作用。细胞治疗是通过筛选表达抗HIV基因型的细胞或转染抗HIV基因、受体基因等方法获得抗HIV免疫细胞,并在体外进行扩增,将其转输给HIV/AIDS患者。细胞疗法与HAART等疗法有协同作用,促进HIV/AIDS的治疗。本文综述抗HIV-CAR T细胞、aTCR T细胞、负载HIV抗原的树突状细胞等在HIV/AIDS治疗中的应用及其疗效。     

Chinese NGOs in action against HIV/AIDS

Chinese nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have played a significant role in the battle against AIDS in the People‘s Republic of China. This article provides a brief overview of the structure of these organizations, as well as an analysis of their principle accomplishments. Of great significance in this analysis is the fact that Chinese NGOs have effectively dealt with many sensitive health education areas that government authorities have felt reluctant to handle directly. As such, they have provided an indispensable component in the HIV/AIDS prevention and control calculus on the mainland.     

The HIV/AIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa

Knowledge useful to the fight against HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa cannot be extrapolated to those coming from industrialized countries. The aim of this article is to review specificities of the African epidemy, in terms of epidiomolgy, natural history, validated therapeutic interventions, and unexplored questions. Far from being without effective tools and research tracks to fight against this plague which decimates a continent, one is above all confronted with a deficit of both mobilization and means.     

Chinese NGOs in action against HIV/AIDS

Chinese non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have played a significant role in the battle against AIDS in the People's Republic of China. This article provides a brief overview of the structure of these organizations, as well as an analysis of their principle accomplishments. Of great significance in this analysis is the fact that Chinese NGOs have effectively dealt with many sensitive health education areas that government authorities have felt reluctant to handle directly. As such, they have provided an indispensable component in the HIV/AIDS prevention and control calculus on the mainland.     

Structured treatment interruptions in HIV/AIDS therapy

Structured treatment interruption (STI) has been investigated for three distinct clinical scenarios: during acute infection with the goal of immune reconstitution and auto immunization; during chronic infection, to decrease the amount and toxicity of antiretroviral drugs; and during virologic failure to restore response to subsequent antiretroviral therapy. The potential costs and benefits of STI should be determined.     

Chinese NGOs in action against HIV/AIDS

INTRODUCTION The AIDS epidemic continues its seemingly inexorable spread throughout the world. It is now very clear that the virus represents not only a medical problem, but also a challenging and multifaceted social problem. Because of this fact, it is imperative that nongovernmental organiza- tions outside of, or tangential to, the medical arena be- come involved in prevention and control efforts. The Chinese government is supportive of the development of such organizations on the mai…     

Chinese NGOs in action against HIV/AIDS

Chinese nongovernmental organizations （NGOs） have played a significant role in the battle against AIDS in the People＇s Republic of China. This article provides a brief overview of the structure of these organizations, as well as an analysis of their principle accomplishments. Of great significance in this analysis is the fact that Chinese NGOs have effectively dealt with many sensitive health education areas that government authorities have felt reluctant to handle directly. As such, they have provided an indispensable component in the HIV/AIDS prevention and control calculus on the mainland.