Results from a recent study in San Francisco suggest that the rates of new HIV diagnoses and transmitted drug resistance have remained stable from 2004 to 2006. The results also show that nearly 60 percent of drug-resistant HIV variants seen in newly diagnosed individuals are resistant to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.

“The study findings highlight the importance of conducting drug resistance testing at the time of HIV diagnosis in order to guide treatment decisions,” said Dr. Hong-Ha Truong, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco and…

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 injectable methods, and about the importance of dual protection with…

Results from a recent study indicate that HIV-positive men who have depression and anxiety or who are less knowledgeable about HIV or have negative beliefs about safe sex practices are at increased risk for transmitting HIV via unprotected sex.

The authors of the study recommended that further studies be conducted to assess the influence of socioeconomic and other factors on HIV transmission. They also suggested that more effort is put into the development of more effective HIV prevention and intervention strategies.

According to the study authors, previous studies have suggested…

Starting antiretroviral therapy earlier leads to better health outcomes and a lower risk of transmitting HIV, according to new results from an ongoing international study. However, the researchers also found more antiretroviral-related side effects in the early treatment group.

“Based on the results, we are now offering [antiretroviral therapy to] all HIV-infected participants in the delayed arm, regardless of CD4 count,” said Dr. Myron Cohen, who presented the results today at the 6th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment, and Prevention (IAS 2011). The results were also released…

Results released today from two new African clinical trials show that the anti-HIV drugs Viread and Truvada are effective at preventing transmission of HIV in heterosexual couples when combined with regular condom use and other traditional prevention measures.

When taken daily, the antiretrovirals reduced transmission risk by 60 percent to 70 percent. Due to the strength of the results one of the two trials was modified to discontinue the placebo group early, with all participants being placed on the drugs for prevention purposes.

“These are exciting results for global HIV…