AIDS research and human retroviruses最新文献

Accurate estimation of the sizes of most-at-risk populations (MARPs) for HIV infection is critical for effective intervention planning, resource allocation, and service coverage assessment. This study aimed to estimate the population sizes of female sex workers (FSWs), people who inject drugs (PWIDs), and men who have sex with men (MSM) in the 18-45-year-old population of Shiraz, Iran, using the network scale-up (NSU) method. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 768 purposively selected individuals aged 18-45 years residing in Shiraz for at least 5 years. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire, utilizing 16 reference groups with known frequencies to estimate average social network size. The prevalence of MARPs was then estimated and adjusted using established correction factors. The average active social network size was 203 contacts (103 males and 100 females). Adjusted size estimations indicated the highest prevalence among FSW at 2,181 per 100,000 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1,979-2,375), followed by PWID at 561 per 100,000 (95% CI: 488-633) and MSM at 418 per 100,000 (95% CI: 272-563). Age distribution analyses revealed the greatest PWID prevalence in the 35-39 age group, FSW in 30-34, and MSM in 25-29. The estimated sizes of these populations substantially exceeded current harm-reduction program coverage in the region. Application of the NSU method revealed significant gaps between the actual sizes of high-risk populations and those reached by existing interventions in Shiraz. Targeted expansion of prevention, testing, and treatment programs, alongside initiatives to combat stigma and improve outreach, is urgently needed to control HIV transmission among these hidden and vulnerable groups.

To explore the mechanism of action of San Ren Decoction (SRD) in people living with HIV (PLWH) treatment using network pharmacology, molecular docking technology, and cellular experiments. The active ingredients and potential targets of the Chinese traditional herb in SRD were determined from traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology and Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular Mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine. The therapeutic targets of SRD in AIDS were identified using GeneCards, OMIM, DisGeNET, and DrugBank. The overlap between disease and component targets was determined to identify the potential targets of SRD in AIDS. The network of "Chinese herbs-active ingredients-targets" for SRD was accessed using Cytoscape. A protein-protein interaction network was prepared using STRING. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases were used to perform enrichment analysis of signaling pathways. Molecular docking experiments and visualization of results were performed using Auto Dock Vina and PyMOL. Based on the results of network pharmacology, a drug-containing serum was prepared through cellular experiments. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from blood samples of PLWH and divided into three groups: the PLWH group, the PLWH + PI3K/Akt inhibitor group, and the PLWH + SRD drug-containing serum group (represented by PLWH, ZSTK474, and SRD, respectively). Healthy human PBMCs were used in the control group. After grouped culturing, quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were performed to detect and confirm gene and protein expression in each group. Quercetin, luteolin, myristic acid, honokiol, arachidonic acid, and other core components were the active ingredients in SRD. The core targets of SRD in AIDS included CAV1, SRC, HSP90AA1, AKT1, PI3K, STAT1, and RAF1. Gene ontology functional enrichment analysis revealed the positive regulation of gene expression, the response to foreign stimuli, and other observations. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed the involvement of the PI3K/Akt, TLR, and other pathways. Molecular docking results indicated that the primary active ingredients of SRD exhibited stable binding with the core proteins. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that the mRNA and protein levels of AKT1, Caspase8, mTOR, PI3K, STAT1, and Bcl-2 were higher in PLWH. SRD may help regulate PLWH by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. The results of this study indicated that SRD may play a role in PLWH treatment through multiple components and multiple targets to regulate the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

The acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic data in Qingdao revealed increasing transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through male-male sexual behavior from 2008 to 2021. We aimed to provide a scientific basis for targeted HIV prevention and intervention strategies. The study followed the Chinese HIV sentinel surveillance protocol, and included men who have sex with men (MSM) who participated in the Qingdao AIDS sentinel surveillance from 2019 to 2021 and underwent HIV testing in accordance with the requirements of the program. Information on the participants' demographic characteristics, HIV prevention knowledge, sexual behavior, drug use, and serological examination results were collected. Chi-square tests, multiple logistic regression, and decision tree analysis were employed to assess the factors associated with HIV infection. A total of 1,221 MSM were included, with 39 cases testing positive for HIV antibodies. Multiple logistic regression indicated a positive correlation between HIV infection and factors such as no condom use during the most recent anal intercourse in the past 6 months, use of Rush poppers, and syphilis infection. The decision tree model revealed that MSM with syphilis infection, no condoms use during the most recent anal intercourse in the past 6 months, and used Rush poppers had the highest risk of HIV acquisition (71.4%). Although the overall AIDS epidemic in Qingdao has shown a low prevalence, the infection rate among MSM has been increasing. Targeted measures will help to reduce high-risk behaviors among MSM.

The number and proportion of HIV/AIDS cases among older people in China have increased continuously and rapidly in recent years, with a more pronounced increase in males. In this study, we report a novel HIV-1 second-generation unique recombinant form isolated from a 79-year-old man in Hangzhou, for whom nonmarital commercial heterosexual contact as the potential transmission route. Phylogenetic analysis of the near full-length genome (NFLG) of strain 24HZ0410 reveals that a small genomic segment of CRF01_AE is inserted into the CRF07_BC backbone. Two recombinant breakpoints were observed in the tat and env gene regions, respectively. Our findings provide insight and a scientific basis in the genetic diversity in China. In addition, further molecular epidemiological surveillance of HIV-1 should be emphasized and strengthened among the elderly population in this region.

In China, the HIV-1 epidemic is predominantly dominated by the recombinant strains CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC. The high replication rate, error-prone reverse transcriptase, and frequent recombination events of HIV-1 have facilitated the emergence of circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) between these major lineages. In this study, a novel HIV-1 second-generation circulating recombinant form (CRF193_0107), consisting of CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC, was identified during routine molecular surveillance in Hebei Province, China. We successfully obtained near-full-length genome (NFLG) sequences from three samples with no epidemiological link and performed phylogenetic, recombination, and temporal evolutionary analyses. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these NFLG sequences formed a distinct monophyletic cluster with a high bootstrap value. Recombination analysis showed that all NFLGs shared the same unique mosaic recombination pattern between CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC clades, with one CRF07_BC fragment in the vif-vpr-tat region (HXB2 positions 5,550-5,965) inserted into a CRF01_AE backbone. Further subregion phylogenetic analysis confirmed that segment I+III of CRF193_0107 originated from men who have sex with men (MSM)-associated CRF01_AE cluster 4, and segment Ⅱ from MSM-associated CRF07_BC cluster N. The temporal evolution analysis indicated that CRF193_0107 originated in 2016. The emergence of CRF193_0107 underscores the importance of monitoring HIV-1 second-generation recombinant forms (CRFs_0107), particularly the transmission and evolution among men who have sex with men (MSM).

Analytical treatment interruption (ATI) is a planned and monitored pause of ART used in HIV-related studies that enables measurement of viral rebound kinetics and immune responses, yet it may pose psychological risks to participants. Evidence has largely come from predominantly male cohorts in high-income settings; far less is known about how women living with HIV (WLHIV) in Southern Africa experience ATIs. We conducted a longitudinal sociobehavioral study nested within an ATI-inclusive Phase 2A clinical trial occurring in Durban, South Africa (NCT05281510). Twenty WLHIV who initiated ART during acute HIV and who were enrolled in an ATI clinical trial agreed to participate in this sociobehavioral research study. Participants completed validated psychological assessments at baseline (T1), pre-ATI (T2), post-ATI (T3), and end of clinical trial (T4). Outcomes included decisional certainty, self-esteem, resilience, anxiety, and depression; analyses were descriptive and stratified by time to ART restart: early restart (ER; <16 weeks, n = 6), delayed restart (DR; 16-44 weeks, n = 7), and long-term delayed restart (LTDR; >44 weeks, n = 6). Median decisional certainty increased from T1 4.70 (IQR 0.80) to T4 5.00 (0.00). Self-esteem remained high (T1 24.5; T4 26.0), with the largest gains in the DR group. Resilience was stable (median 4.75-4.50), rising modestly among participants in the LTDR group. Anxiety peaked pre-ATI (T2 33.3 [11.5]) then declined, except in the LTDR group, and anxiety and depression remained high (T4 anxiety 31.0; depression 8.0). ATI was well-tolerated across measures, anxiety spiked only pre-ATI and subsided, except in the LTDR group, where prolonged ATI kept both anxiety and depression elevated. These findings support the inclusion of South African WLHIV in ATI-inclusive clinical trials and highlight the need for psychosocial support for clinical trial participants.

To support the development of the next generation of HIV researchers, the District of Columbia Center for AIDS Research developed the novel seminar series My Path to Independence, launched in 2022. These seminars host 1-h online sessions in which senior and mid-career-level HIV researchers with diverse expertise reflect on the challenges in their professional journeys, experiences in scientific discoveries, and lessons learned throughout their careers. Attended by 30 to >100 researchers per event, these series have become a valuable component of the Developmental Core program, enabling early-career-stage investigators to acquire career flexibility skills, advance their mentorship approach, and grow their collaborative capacity. Most importantly, these series have played a role in preparing the young generation of scientists for the evolving context of HIV research priorities and changes in the funding landscape. In this perspective, we reflect on three recurring lessons of mentorship, collaboration, and resilience that emerged from these conversations and their relevance to the formation of the new generation of HIV researchers.

The epidemiology of human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) among sexual minority cisgender women (SMCW) remains poorly understood globally. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 251 SMCW in Belém, Brazilian Amazon, between March 2023 and April 2025. Participants underwent serological screening (ELISA) with molecular confirmation (qPCR). The prevalence of HTLV infection was 0.4% (1/251), with HTLV-2 identified in a 46-year-old asymptomatic bisexual woman with previous male partners and a current female partner. Serological testing showed strong ELISA reactivity (OD ratio 3.8), and qPCR confirmed HTLV-2 with a Ct value of 28.4 for the pol gene, while HTLV-1 remained negative. This represents the first documented HTLV-2 case in SMCW in the Amazon region, demonstrating viral circulation in an understudied population. Despite the low prevalence, comparable to the general population, these findings highlight the need for inclusive epidemiological surveillance and culturally sensitive prevention strategies for LGBTQIA+ communities in endemic regions.

Yunnan Province has historically been a major gateway for the introduction of HIV-1 into China. The border region with northern Myanmar has become a significant hotspot for HIV-1 recombination. This study identified and characterized a novel circulating recombinant form (CRF) of HIV-1 in the area, designating it as CRF181_BC. This viral strain was detected in three cases of heterosexual transmission in Baoshan City, Yunnan Province, China. Phylogenetic analysis of the near-full-length genome revealed that the three sequences formed a distinct branch, separate from all recognized subtypes and CRFs. The recombinant structure comprises 12 alternately distributed B and C subtype fragments, with subtype B accounting for 55.1% of the genome length. This contrasts with other known CRF_BC strains, which typically have a C-subtype backbone. Bayesian analysis revealed that this recombinant virus emerged between 2005 and 2006, coinciding with Yunnan Province's critical transition from HIV transmission dominated by injection drug use to HIV transmission predominantly occurring through sexual contact. The discovery of CRF181_BC underscores the intricate genetic diversity of HIV-1 and ongoing active recombination events along the China-Myanmar border. This poses new challenges for local viral diagnosis, treatment, and vaccine development.