More news from CROI 2024
Why is the roll-out of injectable PrEP taking so long?
At a symposium at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI 2024) in Denver, US, last month, Dr Rupa Patel questioned why the roll-out of long-acting cabotegravir for injectable PrEP has been so slow. There has been limited progress, not only in the lower-income world, where programmes are only just starting, but in the US, where multiple cost and bureaucratic issues are still only allowing a few of those who might want it to have it.
Weight gain on HIV treatment: more than a 'return to health' phenomenon?
Weight gain on antiretroviral treatment is not solely a ‘return to health’ phenomenon that occurs when antiretroviral drugs suppress HIV and the weight-sapping effect of fighting a chronic viral infection is ended, research presented at CROI 2024 suggests.
The US opioid crisis has reached older people with HIV
People with HIV aged 65 and older were more likely to be prescribed opioids and be diagnosed with opioid use disorder than HIV-negative older adults in the US, according to data presented at the conference.
Adolescents prefer long-acting injectables to daily oral HIV treatment, study finds
How young people feel about long-acting injectable treatment remains largely unexplored. The More Options for Children and Adolescents (MOCHA) study provides some insight into the experiences of young people aged 12-18 who have switched to long-acting cabotegravir / rilpivirine based treatment.
Almost two-thirds of new HIV cases occur outside southern and eastern Africa
Almost two-thirds of new cases of HIV now occur outside countries with high HIV prevalence in southern and eastern Africa, according to an analysis of UNAIDS country-level data presented at CROI 2024.
People who inject drugs in the US are more aware of PrEP, but aren’t taking it
While 1 in 3 people who inject drugs were aware of PrEP in 2022, only 1 in 100 actually took it. Despite changes in PrEP awareness between 2018 and 2022, increases in uptake for this vulnerable group were small, according to data presented at CROI 2024.
Over 30 years, big fall in HIV among people who inject drugs in Baltimore, but hepatitis C remains high
Despite less injecting drug use, increased use of harm reduction services, and significant progress in reducing HIV infections, there has been a resurgence of hepatitis C among people who inject drugs in recent years in Baltimore, especially among people under the age of 40.
Long-acting injectables can be a good option for people with adherence challenges
Antiretroviral therapy using cabotegravir and rilpivirine injections monthly or every other month can be an effective HIV treatment option for people who have difficulty maintaining viral suppression on daily pills due to suboptimal adherence, according to studies presented at CROI 2024. Watch our video interview with lead researcher Dr Aadia Rana on aidsmap.com.
Nearly two million people in sub-Saharan Africa may have advanced HIV disease
Men in sub-Saharan Africa are much more likely to have advanced HIV disease –including large numbers who have a low CD4 count despite taking treatment and being virally suppressed. It remains crucial to monitor CD4 count, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) study of 12 countries presented to the conference.
Should event-driven PrEP be an option for women?
At CROI 2024, Dr Jenell Stewart argued that event-driven PrEP is demonstrably as effective as daily PrEP for gay men and trans women, and that there’s accumulating evidence that it could also work just as well for women and others who have vaginal sex. Event-driven PrEP should be included in guidelines as an option for everyone, she said. Watch our video interview with Dr Stewart on aidsmap.com.
Top stories from CROI 2024
Here are some of the highlights of research presented at the conference on HIV treatment and PrEP, including long-acting injectable formulations; HIV and women; co-morbidities; and HIV in the US.
Top 5 stories on injectable HIV treatment and PrEP
Top 5 stories on HIV and women
Top 5 stories on co-morbidities affecting people with HIV
Top 5 stories on HIV in the US
Ten safer-breastfeeding rules
In the UK, the British HIV Association (BHIVA) recommends that you feed your infant with formula if you’re living with HIV. However, some people do decide to breastfeed, for a variety of reasons.
Read our ten rules for safer breastfeeding for people living with HIV on aidsmap.com.
Other aidsmap news
Big falls in HIV deaths in high-income countries – except for injecting drug users
While there have been reductions in the rates of most major causes of death among people with HIV in North America and Europe since 1996, people who inject drugs – particularly women – remain vulnerable to early death.
Nigerian analysis defines what makes a youth-friendly HIV service work
A recent study identifies the factors which contribute to the effective delivery of youth-friendly services, so as to achieve better outcomes for adolescents.
Young people want research to focus on a cure for HIV, sharing their status and U=U
Young people living with HIV in South Africa recently identified their priority research questions as part of an approach which moves away from biomedical research being led by researchers to communities taking the lead.
Statin reduces fat deposits in arteries in people with HIV
As well as lowering levels of harmful cholesterol, statin treatment in people with HIV may cut the risk of heart disease by reducing the size and instability of fat deposits in arteries, according to a sub-study of the REPRIEVE trial.
Young people living with HIV prefer to learn their status before 12 and from their caregivers
A recent study explored the preferences of adolescent and young adults in Kenya regarding when and how disclosure should happen, along with their satisfaction with the process.
Greater weight gain in pregnancy reduces the risk of adverse outcomes for women with HIV
Women with HIV who gained weight during pregnancy after starting dolutegravir-based treatment were less likely to experience birth outcomes such as premature birth, stillbirth or an infant that was small for gestational age, analysis of a large clinical trial has shown.
Long-acting injectables may be better than daily pills for people with adherence challenges
Antiretroviral treatment using monthly cabotegravir and rilpivirine injections is more effective than daily pills for people who have had difficulty achieving good adherence and maintaining viral suppression.
aidsmap news & opinion: Prioritising my health
Matthew Hodson: In April, almost two years ago, I started experiencing stabbing pains. They were intense but intermittent and I was very busy at the time so I tried to ignore them. Just before Christmas last year, after 20 months of pushing myself for ‘just another couple of months’, I came to terms with the fact that I was not likely to get better unless I prioritised getting better.
Is the CD4/CD8 ratio a useful test for people with HIV?
Monitoring of CD4/CD8 ratios should not be abandoned as HIV treatment programmes switch to streamlined monitoring, researchers from the University of Wisconsin argue in the journal AIDS.
Some blood pressure drugs reduce the risk of dementia in people with HIV
Taking an ACE inhibitor that crosses the blood-brain barrier reduced the risk of being diagnosed with dementia and delayed the time to a diagnosis of dementia in people with HIV receiving care in Veterans Affairs clinics in the United States.
Poor design makes it a battle to get young children with HIV to take their medicine
Approximately half of all children receiving HIV care in Kenya have interruptions in their treatment lasting longer than 48 hours, and almost half are lost to follow-up care within five years. A study recently published in PLOS ONE linked these interruptions to the practical challenges of distributing paediatric medicines to small children.
Viral load logs
A viral load result is usually described in terms of the number of HIV RNA copies per millilitre of blood (copies/ml). Because the actual copy numbers can span up to the hundreds of thousands and millions before treatment, a 'logarithmic scale' (logs of 10) can be used as a measurement.
Editors' picks from other sources
Dramatic decline in condom distribution in South Africa, new figures show | Spotlight
Condom distribution in South Africa has dropped dramatically over the last five years, finds a Spotlight analysis of data recently published in the Health System Trust’s District Health Barometer.
Scientists say they can cut HIV out of cells | BBC News
Scientists say they have successfully eliminated HIV from infected cells, using Nobel Prize-winning Crispr gene-editing technology.
Kenyan job hunters rejected after pregnancy, HIV tests | BBC News
Kenyan MPs are investigating the recent recruitment of tax revenue workers after it emerged that some applicants were rejected after doing HIV and pregnancy tests.
People living with and at risk of acquiring HIV in Northern Ireland deserve equal protection from discrimination | National AIDS Trust
The UK should be proud of much of our equality legislation, which is designed to protect individuals from discrimination. However, these laws do not apply equally throughout the whole of the UK.
CytoDyn finally clears FDA hold on HIV programme after 2 years | FierceBiotech
In a short update in February, CEO Dr Jacob Lalezari heralded the lifting of the hold as a “new chapter” for lead asset leronlimab, which has been tested in multiple indications without success so far. The company is now cleared to advance a trial in HIV.
Singapore: HIV disclosure law to be amended to exempt those with undetectable viral load if conditions are met | The Straits Times
People with HIV will no longer be legally required to disclose the risk of contracting the virus to their sexual partners as long as they have maintained undetectable viral loads for at least six months, under a Bill passed in Parliament on 7 March.
New resources for young people
Last month, alongside Chiva, we were delighted to launch a new set of resources – a booklet, factsheets, and animated videos – about HIV medication for children and young people living with HIV.
People who live with HIV usually take medication every day. However, taking daily medication can be difficult and young people often need support. That's why we worked with Chiva, as well as a group of young people living with HIV and health experts, to produce these new resources.
You can find them all on the Chiva website and on aidsmap.com.
HIVR4P 2024
The 5th HIV Research for Prevention Conference (HIVR4P) is taking place in Lima, Peru, and virtually from 6 to 10 October. HIVR4P is the only global scientific conference focused exclusively on HIV prevention research.
Registration for the conference is now open, as are abstract submissions and scholarship applications.