via aidsmap, by Gus Cairns How do we stop the hyperepidemic in gay men? A number of presentations at the 19th International AIDS Conference explored the ‘hyperepidemic’ of HIV amongst men who have sex with men, and especially black MSM. A paper presented by Gregorio Millet (pictured above at a White House reception honoring people working in AIDS) showed that, at Read More >>

via Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report In the United States, an estimated 48,100 new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections occurred in 2009 (1). Of these, 27% were in heterosexual men and women who did not inject drugs, and 64% were in men who have sex with men (MSM), including 3% in MSM who inject drugs. In January Read More >>

via aidsmap.com, by Gus Cairns Within the next three years, up to 33,000 people may take part in 22 different studies worldwide to demonstrate the feasibility, or otherwise, of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV, the IAPAC evidence summit, Controlling the HIV epidemic with antiretrovirals, was told on 12 June.Some of these studies are underway but others Read More >>

via Lancet.com, by Salim S Abdool Karim  and Quarraisha Abdool Karim On May 10, 2012, a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee voted in support of the use of tenofovir-emtricitabine for HIV prevention.1 If the FDA, which is scheduled to make its decision by June 15, adopts the committee’s recommendations, tenofovir-emtricitabine will become the first Read More >>

via MedPage Today, by Michael Smith Giving anti-retroviral drugs to HIV-negative people can reduce their risk of acquiring the virus from an HIV-positive partner, a researcher said here. In a large randomized controlled trial in Africa, this type of pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, cut the risk of infection by up to 75% compared with placebo, according to Read More >>

via MedPage Today, by Ed Susman Pre-exposure prophylaxis with antiretroviral drugs failed to prevent women in Africa from becoming infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) – apparently because more than half the women failed to take their medication. The incidence of HIV infection among previously uninfected women treated with a co-formulation of emtricitabine and tenofovir (Truvada) was Read More >>

via a&u, by Jeannie Gibbs Post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is the provision of antiretrovirals (ARVs) to HIV-negative people in order to prevent HIV infection. In light of recently released data, a heated debate is raging in the HIV community on how and if PrEP should be implemented. A vast array of ethical, financial, and medical concerns have been Read More >>

via EurekAlert In the first clinical trial of a vaginal ring combining two antiretroviral (ARV) drugs, researchers from the Microbicide Trials Network (MTN) are collaborating with the International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM) to evaluate whether the ring is safe for use in women. If the ring does prove to be safe, it could be considered for further Read More >>

via The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, by Melanie Newman “India is literally the lifeline of patients in the developing world, especially in the poorest parts of Africa…If Sec. 3(d) is overturned, it means any meaningful effort to make these vital medicines available will be put in jeopardy.” A technical case going through the Supreme Court in India Read More >>

Via All Africa. Government’s decision to offer free ARV treatment to people with CD4 counts of 350 or less has been welcomed as a life-saver. The South African government’s announcement that it will give antiretroviral medication to people with HIV who have CD4 counts of below 350 will save lives and prevent infection. This is according to Read More >>