Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV, is the virus that causes AIDS, and is at the forefront of research in many fields.  One of the most interesting topics of research is anti-retroviral therapy (ART) implemented in HIV positive patients in order to reduce the effect of the virus.

The newest breakthrough entails using snake and insect venom as a form of ART. A major component in bee venom inhibits replication of both CXCR4 and CCR5 HIV-1 in human CD4 cells. Phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂), which is found in the venom of many snakes, has been shown to block viral entry into cells.

The exact mechanism, whether enzymatic or simply competing for a binding site, is still in the process of being worked out.  Aside from this, the most important details have shown promising signs for the field of research dedicated to HIV treatment.

This discussion further reiterates the needs and necessity for regular, comprehensive STD testing.  If everybody got tested for STDs on a regular basis, the incidence of HIV (among other STDs) would be considerably lower.  Testing is simple, and should be done (as according to the CDC) every six months to one year, or in between sexual partners.

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Healthcare workers are often exposed to the virus at work; however, it is unlikely that they will contract the virus from a patient. Since December 2001, there have been only 57 documented reports of patient-to-worker HIV transmission, mainly due to precautionary guidelines that healthcare workers follow. The main risk of transmission for healthcare workers  is through accidental needle sticks or other injury with a contaminated instrument. However, even here the risk is small. “Researchers estimate that only about 0.0-1% or healthcare workers” contract HIV from an accidental needle stick.

This low statistic can be attributed to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), which can be taken immediately after exposure to reduce the risk of transmission. PEP uses antiretroviral therapy (ART) to prevent transmission, but often comes with serious side effects including dizziness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and more. Current antiretroviral drugs cannot cure HIV infection, nor reduce the risk of transmitting it to someone else, but they can suppress the virus to undetectable levels in some cases. It has been estimated that PEP reduces the infection rate among healthcare workers by 79%.

Post-exposure Prophylaxis should begin immediately after the exposure, seeing as how PEP is most effective when it is initiated within two t0 four hours of exposure. The specific dosage of medication depends on a couple factors including the patient’s overall health, the severity of exposure, the availability of antiretrovirals, and if the patient has any known or possible cross-resistance to any drugs. Treatment normally lasts no less than two weeks and no longer than four. Studies show that almost a quarter of those receiving PEP stop taking the medications early because of side effects. As with all forms of treatment, it is less effective if it ends early.

HIV tests should be performed after any risky sexual behavior, even if PEP was used. Immediately after HIV enters the body antibodies are produced to fight off the infection. While these antibodies cannot completely eliminate the virus, we can use their presence to see if HIV is in the blood. Most people develop detectable antibodies within two to eight weeks; however, it may take longer in some people. Most often, the enzyme immunoassay (EIA) test is used to detect HIV antibodies. If a positive result is returned it is confirmed with a follow-up test before making a diagnosis. Typically the Western blot test is used to confirm a positive HIV result. Other testing options include DNA or RNA tests, which instead of looking for antibodies actually look for genetic material of HIV. These tests can be used for early detection of HIV.

With the combination of healthcare precautions and treatment options such as PEP, we have the ability to decrease the number of patient to worker HIV transmissions drastically.

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The report involved a 38-year old gay man who reported having unprotected anal sex with multiple partners in the previous 48 hours. The patient was treated with Truvada as post-exposure prophylaxis. During his treatment the patient reported more episodes of risky sex, causing his treatment to be extended. During his treatment the patient was repeatedly tested for HIV. He received a couple negative HIV results, but after repeated exposures the patient tested HIV-positive.

The patient received three viral load tests shortly after his positive HIV test result. The viral load turned out to be extremely low, and his CD4 count was high. These results were out of the ordinary for someone with an acute HIV infection, and the patient had no HIV seroconversion symptoms. Several more tests were performed on the patient and all of them returned similar findings.

The authors of the article report that the patient’s HIV infection was weaker than usual, and that this result was most likely due to the antiretroviral therapy he was receiving.

*For the complete article please refer to http://hivtestingblog.com/original-articles/

Similar to the guidelines following occupational exposures, the CDC recommends prophylaxis beginning within 72 hours after the initial exposure with any body fluids from an HIV infected person. If 72 hours has passed after the exposure, the CDC recommends not starting prophylaxis. If the HIV status of the contact person is unknown, but the exposure has an elevated risk the CDC suggests the decision of whether to begin prophylaxis be made on a patient-to-patient basis.

Unfortunately many people are unaware that they are infected with HIV, and because of the 72 hour window period for prophylaxis these people are out of luck when they discover they were exposed. People who benefit the most from prophylaxis are those who know they have been exposed, including sexual assault victims and intravenous drug users.

Some clinicians have fears that people will use post exposure prophylaxis as a “safety net” for unprotected sex, but that is not at all it’s intended purpose.

*For the complete article please refer to http://hivtestingblog.com/original-articles/

According to Kevin Weeks, the professor who led the study, the HIV genome is loaded with RNA structures that control the virus’ behavior. The genomes for hepatitis C, polio, and influenza are also RNA programmed, so by using the same technology we may gain a better insight into these diseases and also vice-versa.

New anti-viral drugs that result from this discovery most likely won’t be available for another couple years; however, this new insight may lead HIV/AIDS researchers to explore possibilities that weren’t considered before.

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For the complete article, please refer http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE56F6ZA20090716.

For the full article, please refer to http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/157219.php