NIH statement on National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day Sept. 18, 2010

from Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Richard J. Hodes, M.D., Director, National Institute on Aging Jack Whitescarver, Ph.D., Director, NIH Office of AIDS Research
Older HIV-infected adults face unique health challenges stemming from age-related changes to the body accelerated by HIV infection, the side effects of long-term treatment for HIV, the infection itself and often, treatments for age-associated illnesses. Sept. 18 marks the third annual National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day, an opportunity to highlight these challenges and the research under way to improve the health and quality of life of older people infected with HIV.
Many HIV-infected individuals are living into their 50s and well beyond as a result of the powerful combinations of antiretroviral drugs that suppress the replication of the virus. In 2006, an estimated 25 percent of people living with HIV in the United States were age 50 years and older.[1] In those with long-term HIV infection, the persistent activation of immune cells by the virus likely increases the susceptibility of these individuals to inflammation-induced diseases and diminishes their capacity to fight certain diseases. Coupled with the aging process, the extended exposure of these adults to both HIV and antiretroviral drugs appears to increase their risk of illness and death from cardiovascular, bone, kidney, liver and lung disease, as well as many cancers not associated directly with HIV infection.........

Gilead's HIV 'quad' drug fares well in study

Welsh scientists 'clone' human virus

A team of Welsh scientists have successfully cloned a human virus offering new hope for the treatment of potentially life-threatening diseases.
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a major infectious cause of congenital malformations worldwide. The virus is also known to cause life-threatening disease in transplant patients and people with HIV/AIDS...

Is vitamin D deficiency involved in the immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome? http://www.aidsrestherapy.com/content/6/1/4

"About 20–30% of persons with HIV infection, especially those living in countries with limited resources, experience an immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) after starting antiretroviral treatment. The active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, is a key player in the clearance of pathogens and influences the level of inflammation and macrophage activation...."

Quite old news Michael --

Kaposi's sarcoma occurring at higher CD4 counts

16 September 2010
Over a third of cases of Kaposi’s sarcoma now occur in patients with a CD4 cell count above 350 cells/mm3, investigators from the US military report in the online edition of AIDS.
The study found that although rates of the AIDS-defining cancer have fallen since effective antiretroviral therapy became available, the proportion of cases that occur at higher CD4 cell counts has increased.
“Clinicians should be aware of these trends and watchful for the occurrence of Kaposi’s sarcoma despite robust CD4 cell counts”, comment the investigators.
Most cases of HIV-related Kaposi’s sarcoma occur when patients have a CD4 cell count below 200 cells/mm3. Although there is a large amount of evidence showing that rates of the cancer have decreased since effective antiretroviral therapy was introduced in the mid-1990s, it is not known whether Kaposi’s sarcoma will be seen at higher CD4 cell counts.