Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 1, 2026

An Affordable HIV-1 Drug Resistance Monitoring Method for Resource Limited Settings
19:57

An Affordable HIV-1 Drug Resistance Monitoring Method for Resource Limited Settings

Published on: March 30, 2014

19.2K

HIV epidemiology and breakthroughs in prevention 30 years into the AIDS epidemic

Susan P Buchbinder1

  • 1University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.

Topics in Antiviral Medicine
|August 27, 2011
PubMed

Insights

The HIV epidemic disproportionately affects men who have sex with men (MSM) globally. Advances in antiretroviral therapy and prevention strategies like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) offer hope, alongside managing herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) co-infections.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemic, thirty years post-initial reports, remains concentrated among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States.
  • Global HIV impact varies, with MSM predominant in the Americas/Western Europe, heterosexuals in sub-Saharan Africa, and injection drug users in Eastern Europe/Southeast Asia.
  • Disparities persist in the U.S., with Black and Latino populations disproportionately affected despite improved HIV testing and care.

Framework:

  • The 2011 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections highlighted key populations: adolescents, women, MSM, and serodiscordant couples.
  • A significant focus was the interplay between herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and HIV-1, noting HSV-2's potential to substantially impact HIV rates due to its prevalence and persistence.
  • Advances in antiretroviral drugs for both HIV prevention (oral pre-exposure prophylaxis, topical microbicides) and treatment (antiretroviral therapy) were celebrated.

Implementation:

  • Ongoing evaluation of prevention strategies including male condoms, male circumcision, and HIV testing with linkage to care.
  • Emphasis on comprehensive approaches addressing co-infections like HSV-2 to curb HIV transmission.
  • Leveraging advancements in antiretroviral therapy (ART) for both treatment and prevention (TasP).

Implications:

  • Effective prevention and treatment of HSV-2 could significantly reduce HIV-1 incidence.
  • Continued focus on high-risk populations and tailored interventions is crucial for global HIV control.
  • The integration of biomedical and behavioral prevention strategies is essential for comprehensive HIV/AIDS management.

More Related Videos

Rapid Screening of HIV Reverse Transcriptase and Integrase Inhibitors05:46

Rapid Screening of HIV Reverse Transcriptase and Integrase Inhibitors

Published on: April 10, 2014

20.3K
Oral Combinational Antiretroviral Treatment in HIV-1 Infected Humanized Mice06:07

Oral Combinational Antiretroviral Treatment in HIV-1 Infected Humanized Mice

Published on: October 6, 2022

2.2K

Related Concept Videos

Retrovirus Life Cycles01:10

Retrovirus Life Cycles

Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the...
43.0K
Viral Mutations00:36

Viral Mutations

A mutation is a change in the sequence of bases of DNA or RNA in a genome. Some mutations occur during replication of the genome due to errors made by the polymerase enzymes that replicate DNA or RNA. Unlike DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase is prone to errors because it is not capable of “proofreading” its work. Viruses with RNA-based genomes, like HIV, therefore accrue mutations faster than viruses with DNA-based genomes. Because mutation and recombination provide the raw material...
33.0K
Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers01:51

Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers

Retroviruses are RNA viruses that have been shown to cause cancers in diverse species, including chickens, mice, cats, and monkeys. The RNA genomes of these viruses are first reverse-transcribed into single and then double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) copies. This dsDNA called proviral DNA then integrates into the host genome. Subsequently, the host cell transcribes the proviral DNA in concert with the chromosomal DNA. This leads to the production of viral RNA and proteins that assemble at the host...
5.2K
Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures01:22

Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures

Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use of the best practices in all healthcare settings. Compulsory public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates is needed to allow individuals and the community to make informed choices regarding selecting a healthcare facility.
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
4.7K
Sexually Transmitted Infections01:26

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases transmitted primarily through unsafe sexual interactions. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites cause them and can result in severe health complications if untreated.ChlamydiaThe bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for the disease Chlamydia, the most common STI in the United States. This peculiar pathogen requires human cells to reproduce, residing intracellularly. The initial infection often goes unnoticed because it typically does not...
2.0K
Size and Structure of Viral Genomes01:26

Size and Structure of Viral Genomes

Viral genomes exhibit remarkable diversity in size, structure, and composition, influencing their replication strategies and interactions with host cells. These genomes consist of either DNA or RNA and may be linear or circular. Additionally, they can be single-stranded or double-stranded, with each configuration affecting how the virus propagates within a host. RNA viruses, for instance, generally have smaller genomes than DNA viruses, a factor that contributes to their high mutation rates and...
1.2K