Estimated worldwide HIV infections: 56 172 549 at noon on Thursday February 26
Miracle molecule? Scientists have discovered a protein in monkeys that can block infection by the virus that causes Aids.
The team, from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in the United States, hope their work could lead to new ways to prevent humans being infected with HIV.
They believe a similar molecule, known to exist in humans, might have the potential to stop HIV in its tracks. The molecule, named TRIM5-alpha, appears to patrol the body for viruses, and, if they enter a cell, prevents them from causing harm.
Dr Anthony Fauci, of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which funded the study, said: ‘Identification of this HIV-blocking factor opens new avenues for intervening in the early stage of HIV infection, before the virus can gain a toehold.”
Professor Frances Gotch, an expert in HIV at Imperial College London, said: ‘This is not a cure for Aids, but I could imagine it leading to a prophylactic treatment.”
Source: BBC News Online
Estimated worldwide HIV infections: 56 071 935 at 12.25pm on Thursday February 19 2004
Testing the limits: The government of Botswana is offering voluntary HIV tests for anyone who goes to a medical clinic with a health problem, a plan that some worry could lead to mandatory testing.
It is estimated that more than 35% of the adult population of Botswana is HIV-positive, but less than 8% of its population of 1,6-million knows their HIV status.
Critics say mandatory testing could be the next step if voluntary testing does not bring down HIV prevalence. ‘Even in democratic societies, there have always been situations that call for draconian measures,” said Ndwapi Ndwapi, co-director of the HIV/Aids clinic at the country’s largest hospital.
Cuba is the only country that has instituted mandatory testing. The country’s HIV prevalence is one of the lowest in the world.
The World Health Organisation discourages mandatory testing, saying the HIV/Aids stigma would ‘drive underground” people who are afraid to test positive.
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Estimated worldwide HIV infections: 55 971 297 at 12.25pm on Thursday February 12 2004
Screening breakthrough: New HIV tests for pregnant women may prove crucial to the lives of five unborn babies whose mothers where unaware that they had the virus. Since the British government decision in July last year to routinely offer HIV-screening during antenatal visits, five women in Greater Glasgow have tested positive. It meant the women and health workers were able to take precautions to reduce risks to the foetuses. Without treatment one in six babies of HIV-positive women would be affected. British National Health Service consultant Dr Syed Ahmed said: ‘Although it’s 18 months before it can be confirmed that a baby doesn’t have HIV, diagnosis of the mother and appropriate delivery measures reduce the likelihood to one in 100.” Ahmed added: ‘HIV-positive mums-to-be are also being given the option of a caesarean delivery and are encouraged to bottle-feed rather than breastfeed — again cutting down the risk of infecting the baby.
Source: bbc.co.uk
Estimated worldwide HIV infections: 55 869 996 at 11.43am on Thursday February 5
Doing it for themselves: British actress Emma Thompson, former Irish president Mary Robinson and UNAids executive director Peter Piot on Monday launched the Global Coalition on Women and Aids to raise awareness and increase HIV/Aids education among women in developing countries.
The coalition will bring together advocates, government representatives, celebrities and community workers to eradicate violence against women, expand their access to education, strengthen their inheritance and property rights and ensure fair access to HIV prevention and care services.
‘We have to put this power into the hands of women. It is not that I want to exclude men in tackling this, but we do have to place emphasis on women having jurisdiction over their own bodies,” Thompson said.
The coalition will be operated by a steering committee of 28 people from different countries who are involved with Aids initiatives. They include South African Judge Edwin Cameron.
Source: kaisernetwork.org