Interim results from an ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial indicate that the hepatitis C drug Victrelis, in combination with peginterferon and ribavirin, resulted in twice as many HIV-positive patients achieving undetectable hepatitis C virus levels than peginterferon and ribavirin alone.

“We are encouraged by these interim results with Victrelis in combination therapy in this difficult-to-treat patient population,” said Dr. Roger Pomerantz, senior vice president of Infectious Diseases at U.S. pharmaceutical company Merck, in a press release.

Based on the results,…

Results from a recent small study suggest that a variant of HIV that infects a slow-growing type of cell, called a macrophage, in the fluid surrounding the spine and brain of some people with HIV may be linked to HIV-associated dementia.

The results might help explain why highly active antiretroviral therapy is not always effective in treating some HIV-associated neurological problems, since these cells live longer than the more typical immune cells infected by HIV. The results also might allow…

The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released an updated version of its “Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in HIV Infected Adults and Adolescents.”

The guidelines include updated information on initial combination regimens for previously untreated (treatment-naïve) people with HIV.

According to the guidelines, antiretroviral regimens may be classified as preferred regimens, alternative regimens, or acceptable regimens. Preferred regimens are recommended as the best treatment regimens for most people starting antiretroviral therapy.

Alternative regimens,…

Results from a recent study indicate that brain disorders, particularly epilepsy and seizures, are more common in HIV-positive patients with hepatitis C virus than in patients with HIV alone.  The risk of death was also higher for these individuals.

However, the researchers noted that the use of illegal drugs, which was more common in participants with hepatitis C and is linked to increased seizure risk, could have affected the study results. They suggested that studies of patients with hepatitis C…

Results from a recent study indicate that hormonal contraceptives double women’s risk of HIV acquisition and the risk of HIV transmission from women to men.

Based on their results, the authors emphasized the need to counsel women about the possible increase in HIV risk with hormonal contraceptive use, especially the shot Depo-Provera, and the importance of condom use to decrease risk of HIV.

“Women should be counseled about potentially increased risk of HIV acquisition and transmission with hormonal contraception, particularly…