Two separate studies published this month show strong evidence that Kaletra-based antiretroviral therapy is more effective than Viramune-based therapy in HIV-positive women and children with previous exposure to single-dose Viramune. Both studies were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Based on the studies, the World Health Organization (WHO) has revised its recommendations on how to prevent mother-to-child transmission. The WHO now recommends that Kaletra (ritonavir/lopinavir)-based treatment be used for women and children with previous exposure to single-dose Viramune (nevirapine).

The results are geared primarily toward women in developing…

International aid organization UNITAID has expressed “deep concern” with the closure this month of a manufacturing plant in France that produces small-dosage didanosine (Videx) tablets for infants.

The closure of the Bristol-Myers Squibb facility is currently expected to halt production of the tablets until a new manufacturing site opens in April of 2011.

In an open letter to Bristol-Myers Squibb, UNITAID, an international organization that helps developing countries purchase treatments for HIV/AIDS, requested the company respond with an appropriate solution.

“Closing this factory means that 4,000 to 7,000 babies currently…

On January 15, The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) announced a new clinical trial that examines additional regimens to reduce the risk of mother-to-child HIV transmission during breastfeeding.

This could potentially make breastfeeding safer for HIV-positive mothers and their children.

Science, as well as conventional wisdom, continues to affirm that mother’s milk is nature’s miracle food for infants, and researchers are looking for ways to make sure that breastfeeding is a viable option for every mother, even those with HIV.

Complex antiretroviral (ART) strategies are available in…

On November 30, 2009, the eve of World AIDS Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) released new recommendations on treatment, prevention, and infant feeding with respect to HIV. It is hoped that implementation of these new guidelines will improve the health of HIV-positive individuals, decrease the number of new HIV infections each year, and ultimately, save lives around the world.

“These new recommendations are based on the most up to date, available data,” said Dr. Hiroki Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director General for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases,…

On Monday, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a report presenting statistics on women’s health worldwide. The report, entitled “Women and Health: Today’s Evidence Tomorrow’s Agenda”, was launched from WHO’s headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

Included below are data on the 15.5 million women living with HIV/AIDS.

HIV is the leading cause of death and disease in women during their reproductive years, from 15 to 44 years of age. Incidence rates have increased since the 1990s, especially in countries of sub-Saharan Africa.

Female sex workers, injecting drug users, and partners of…