Risk of TB doubles in first year of HIV infection

http://www.aidsmap.com/en/news/95D84EF4-94DE-41FD-B20C-3247321E70DA.asp?hp=1

The risk of developing tuberculosis doubles within the first year of testing HIV positive, according to a large retrospective study published in the January 15th issue of The Journal of Infectious Diseases. This risk further increased in subsequent years.

Herpes zoster remains common in HIV-positive women in HAART era

http://www.aidsmap.com/en/news/CDC55C96-93EA-4068-9BDA-C73E3D7520F4.asp?hp=1

Herpes zoster (the virus which causes shingles), occurs with greater frequency in HIV-positive women than HIV-negative women, even in the HAART era, according to a US study published in the December 15th 2004 edition of the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. The American investigators also established that, although herpes zoster was most common amongst women with low CD4 cell counts, it still occurred with increased frequency in HIV-positive women, even when they had a high CD4 cell count.

TB diagnosis in children can be improved with new test

http://www.aidsmap.com/en/news/87D3294C-85F8-48A9-8461-F65ABA4555C6.asp?hp=1

A new blood test called the T SPOT-TB is a more trustworthy measure of tuberculosis (TB) infection in children than the standard TB test according to the results of a prospective clinical study published recently in The Lancet (Liebeschuetz). The study, conducted at a district hospital in Kwa-Zulu Natal South Africa, also demonstrated that the test can be performed in settings without highly trained lab personnel and with only limited laboratory facilities.

CD4 counts, not viral load, associated with changes in weight on HAART

http://www.aidsmap.com/en/news/63973B8F-5C4F-4861-99C4-5C493CC9FCE4.asp?hp=1

Changes in weight are associated with different factors depending on whether a person is taking HAART or not, according to the latest findings of the US Nutrition for Healthy Living Study. For patients not on HAART, fluctuations in viral load are associated with weight changes; but for those on successful and stable HAART, it is changes in CD4 cell counts and not viral load that are associated with changes in weight. The study is reported in the January 1st issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases.

NNRTIs more forgiving for occasionally forgetful patients; but are they the best option for patients with major adherence issues?

http://www.aidsmap.com/en/news/12AF6178-3441-42EC-961A-0F5CAFD03C4D.asp?hp=1

Individuals who first obtain an undetectable viral load on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and then adhere to the regimen between 76% and 99% of the time have less risk of 'failing' on a non-nucleoside (NNRTI)-based HAART combination, compared with a PI-based regime. These findings are the conclusion of a prospective Italian study and are published in the January 1st online issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases.