MedWorm: AIDS Vaccine

Also In Global Health News: Profiles Of CDC, USAID Leaders; HIV/AIDS In Kenya; Food Aid In Tanzania; Hunger In North Korea; More

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0100

New York Times Features Profiles Of USAID's Shah, CDC's Frieden The New York Times examines the recent changes at the CDC - "considered one of the world's premier public health agencies, responsible for tracking the spread of infectious disease, distributing vaccines and monitoring the causes of sickness and deaths" - since Director Thomas Frieden took over in June (Harris, 3/15). The New York Times' blog, "The Caucus," also features a video interview with USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah, where he reflects on U.S. government's response to the Jan... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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It's Time To Reassess Where We Stand With An HIV Vaccine As Numbers Infected Rise In UN Study

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +0100

HIV Vaccine Strategy Expands Immune Responses

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Two teams of researchers including Los Alamos National Laboratory theoretical biologists Bette Korber, Will Fischer, Sydeaka Watson, and James Szinger have announced an HIV vaccination strategy that has been shown to expand the breadth and depth of immune responses in rhesus monkeys. Rhesus monkeys provide the best animal model currently available for testing HIV vaccines... (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today)

It's Time To Reassess Where We Stand With An HIV Vaccine As Numbers Infected Rise In UN Study

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +0100

According to a recent United Nations study, HIV infection rates among high-risk groups such as gays, drug users and sex workers are on the rise around the world. U.N. AIDS agency chief Michel Sidibe is saying the increase may be due to worsening discrimination against these groups in certain countries. In the U.S., despite laws that are more tolerant of homosexuality, more than half of all new HIV infections in 2009 occurred among gay men, which Sidibe called "shocking." In the U.S., Sidibe said, "it seems like we have come full circle," and not in a good way... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

HIV Vaccine Strategy Expands Immune Responses

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Two teams of researchers including Los Alamos National Laboratory theoretical biologists Bette Korber, Will Fischer, Sydeaka Watson, and James Szinger have announced an HIV vaccination strategy that has been shown to expand the breadth and depth of immune responses in rhesus monkeys. Rhesus monkeys provide the best animal model currently available for testing HIV vaccines. The research appeared in two back-to-back articles in Nature Medicine this week, and outlines a strategy, called "mosaic vaccines," for reducing the spread of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Finances sank HIV vaccine facility bid

CBC | Health — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:59:09 +0100

The decision not to build a planned multimillion-dollar HIV vaccine manufacturing facility was not a political one, Canada's chief public health officer says. (Source: CBC | Health)

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Bid for HIV vaccine facility failed on finances

CBC | Health — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:43:35 +0100

The decision not to build a planned multimillion-dollar HIV vaccine manufacturing facility was not a political one, Canada's chief public health officer says. (Source: CBC | Health)

Systems Biology-Based Approaches to Understand HIV-Exposed Uninfected Women

Current HIV/AIDS Reports — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:00:06 +0100

Abstract Worldwide HIV infects women more frequently than men, and it is clear that not all exposed to HIV become infected. Several populations of HIV-exposed uninfected (EU) women have been identified, including discordant couples and sex workers. Understanding what provides natural protection in EU women is critical in vaccine or microbicide development. However, correlates of protection in these women are still unclear. Most studies have used classical methods, examining single genes or cellular factors, a mainstay for traditional immunobiology. This reductionist approach may be limited in the information it can provide. Novel technologies are now available that allow us to take a “systems biology” approach, which allows the study of a complex biological system and ...

Also In Global Health News: WFP In Somalia; South Africa's HIV/AIDS Plan; Zimbabwe's Food Needs; Medical Personnel, Vaccines In Bangladesh; More

Public Health News From Medical News Today — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Also In Global Health News: WFP In Somalia; South Africa's HIV/AIDS Plan; Zimbabwe's Food Needs; Medical Personnel, Vaccines In Bangladesh; More

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0100

WFP Agrees To Cooperate With Probe Of Its Operations In Somalia The World Food Program (WFP) "said Thursday it will cooperate with any independent probe into its food operations in Somalia, after a report found that up to half the food aid intended for the nation's hungry people does not reach its destination," the Associated Press reports. The agency has also agreed "not to engage with transport contractors that the report alleges were involved in arms trading," according to the news service. The report is scheduled to be presented to the U.N... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Targeting early infection to prevent HIV-1 mucosal transmission

Nature — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:40:50 +0100

Authors: Ashley T. Haase Measures to prevent sexual mucosal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 are urgently needed to curb the growth of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) pandemic and ultimately bring it to an end. Studies in animal models and acute HIV-1 infection reviewed here reveal potential viral vulnerabilities at the mucosal portal of entry in the earliest stages of infection that might be most effectively targeted by vaccines and microbicides, thereby preventing acquisition and averting systemic infection, CD4 T-cell depletion and pathologies that otherwise rapidly ensue. (Source: Nature)

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Immunology and the elusive AIDS vaccine

Nature — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:40:50 +0100

Authors: Herbert W. Virgin & Bruce D. Walker Developing a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccine is critical to end the global acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic, but many question whether this goal is achievable. Natural immunity is not protective, and despite immunogenicity of HIV vaccine candidates, human trials have exclusively yielded disappointing results. Nevertheless, there is an indication that success may be possible, but this will be dependent on understanding the antiviral immune response in unprecedented depth to identify and engineer the types of immunity required. Here we outline fundamental immunological questions that need to be answered to develop a protective HIV vaccine, and the immediate need to harness a much broader scientific community to ach...

How To Fortify The Immunity Of HIV Patients

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0100

New findings from a UniversitÃ© de MontrÃ©al and the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute of Florida (VGTI) study, in collaboration with scientists from the NIH and the McGill University Hospital Center, may soon lead to an expansion of the drug arsenal used to fight HIV. The Canada-U.S. study published today in the journal Nature Medicine characterizes the pivotal role of two molecules, PD-1 and IL-10, in influencing the function of CD4/T-helper cells and altering their ability to fight HIV... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

How To Fortify The Immunity Of HIV Patients

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0100

Genetic vaccination: engineering antiviral T-cell immunity through stem cells

Future HIV Therapy — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:00:34 +0100

HIV Therapy , March 2010, Vol. 4, No. 2, Pages 123-126. (Source: Future HIV Therapy)

Translational research key to HIV vaccine

SciDev.Net — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:38:39 +0100

New funding mechanisms to support translational research are vital to develop a successful HIV vaccine, says Wayne C. Koff. (Source: SciDev.Net)

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Translational research key to HIV vaccine

SciDev.Net — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:38:39 +0100

New funding mechanisms to support translational research are vital to develop a successful HIV vaccine, says Wayne C. Koff. (Source: SciDev.Net)

CD4 and CD8 T Cell Responses to Mycobacterial Antigens in African Children.

American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Mycobacteria-specific T cell responses could be demonstrated in all groups of children, suggesting that the responses could be boosted by new TB vaccines currently in clinical trials. PMID: 20224065 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine)

Accelerating HIV vaccine development

Nature — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Nature 464, 161 (2010). doi:10.1038/464161a Author: Wayne C. Koff Translational-research programmes supported by flexible, long-term, large-scale grants are needed to turn advances in basic science into successful vaccines to halt the AIDS epidemic, says Wayne C. Koff. (Source: Nature)

A qualitative assessment of perspectives on the inclusion of adolescents in HIV vaccine trials in South Africa

International Journal of STD and AIDS — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:06:05 +0100

Adolescents are at high risk for HIV acquisition, and thus need to be included in HIV vaccine trials. In preparation for inclusion of adolescents in HIV vaccine trials in an urban community in Cape Town with a high antenatal HIV prevalence, the study assessed the attitudes towards the inclusion of adolescents in HIV vaccine trials. A total of 18 focus group discussions were conducted using a semistructured interview guide. The participants (n = 200) were adolescents, young adults, parents and other key informants. Participants from all groups welcomed the inclusion of adolescents in HIV vaccine trials due to their high-risk status. There were, however, concerns about sexual disinhibition, fear of side-effects, fear of HIV testing and disclosure of HIV status, mistrust of nurses and clinics...

Toll-like receptors and genital tract infection

International Journal of STD and AIDS — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:06:04 +0100

Our knowledge of the immune response to genital tract infection has progressed appreciably in recent years. This review focuses on the innate immune system, in particular the role of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), in controlling genital tract infection. Research into the role of TLRs in recognizing ‘pathogen-associated molecular patterns’ (PAMPS) has provided an important insight into the host's early immune response. TLRs are activated following binding of microbial components leading to cytokine production, which, in turn, stimulate phagocytic and natural killer cells and mobilize T and B lymphocytes of the antigen-specific acquired immune system. The therapeutic use of TLR agonists as topical agents or for improving CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses to microbial vaccines is an imp...

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Fortifying The Immunity Of HIV Patients

HIV / AIDS News From Medical News Today — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:00:00 +0100

Fortifying The Immunity Of HIV Patients

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:00:00 +0100

New findings from a Universite de Montreal and the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute of Florida (VGTI) study, in collaboration with scientists from the NIH and the McGill University Health Center, may soon lead to an expansion of the drug arsenal used to fight HIV. The Canada-U.S. study published in the journal Nature Medicine characterizes the pivotal role of two molecules, PD-1 and IL-10, in influencing the function of CD4/T-helper cells and altering their ability to fight HIV... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Convergent ethical issues in HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria vaccine trials in Africa: Report from the WHO/UNAIDS African AIDS Vaccine Programme's Ethics, Law and Human Rights Collaborating Centre consultation, 10-11 February 2009, Durban, South Africa.

BMC Medical Ethics — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: The consultation revealed that while there have been few attempts to find convergence on ethical issues between HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria vaccine trial fields to date, there is much common ground and scope for convergence work between stakeholders in the three fields. (Source: BMC Medical Ethics)

Cellular CD4 T Cell Responses to the Diphtheria‐Derived Carrier Protein of Conjugated Pneumococcal Vaccine and Antibody Response to Pneumococcal Vaccination in HIV‐Infected Adults

Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:02:29 +0100

Conclusions. The PCV prime‐elicited memory T cell responses were associated with better and sustained humoral SPP specific IgG responses. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier. NCT00148824. (Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

Serologic Response to Hepatitis B Vaccination in HIV‐Infected Patients with Isolated Positivity for Antibodies to Hepatitis B Core Antigen

Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:02:11 +0100

Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 000, Latest Articles. We assessed the safety and immunogenicity of hepatitis B vaccination among 40 human immunodeficiency virus–infected patients with isolated positivity for antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen. No baseline factors were found to be predictive of an anamnestic response, which occurred in 32.5% of the patients. The overall response rate among patients without an anamnestic response was 74.0% after 3–6 vaccine doses. (Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

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HIV Hides In Bone Marrow Say Researchers

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:00:00 +0100

Researchers in the US have discovered that a latent form of HIV hides in progenitor cells in bone marrow, avoids detection by the immune system and retains the ability to reproduce and spread when the coast is clear (eg when treated people stop taking anti-HIV drugs)... (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today)

Neglected tropical diseases

British Medical Bulletin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:36:35 +0100

Conclusion Although there are proven strategies to control several NTDs, these diseases continue to cause a massive burden of morbidity. There is urgent need for more basic and operational research, drug and vaccine development, and greater prioritization by governments and international agencies. (Source: British Medical Bulletin)

Biotec Visions 2010, March-April.

Biotechnology Journal — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: News: Attraction of adipose tissue - Swine flu vaccine from insectcells - MicroRNA in multiple sclerosis - Proteomic detection of adenoma - Systematic engineering for arsenic removal - Bacterial cellulose to make blood vessels - The recipe for primordial soup: acid or bitter, hot or warm - Increased O(2) in hollow fiber bioreactors - Eye stem cells to treat immune disease - Super-strong collagen - Designing functional metalloproteins - Higher oil content in tobacco leaves - Alternative metabolic routes - New compass point blot helps find hTERT factors - Extracellular signals - doomed cells in the bacterial communityJournal Highlights: Oils and fats for the chemical industry - Molecular Nutrition ReviewsNew from the Encyclopedia of Life Sciences:EM analysis of protein structur...

How to fortify the immunity of HIV patients

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

(University of Montreal) New findings from a Université de Montréal and the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute of Florida study, in collaboration with scientists from the NIH and the McGill University Health Center, may soon lead to an expansion of the drug arsenal used to fight HIV. The Canada-US study is published today in the journal Nature Medicine. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

HIV vaccines: mosaic approach to virus diversity

Nature Medicine — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 14:31:37 +0100

Authors: Lawrence Corey & M Juliana McElrath The extraordinary diversity of HIV is a major barrier in the path of developing a vaccine. One way forward may be mosaic antigens—biometrically designed genes that maximize overlap between sequences used in the vaccine and circulating HIV-1 strains worldwide (pages 319–323 and 324–328). (Source: Nature Medicine)

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Study Finds Pfizer's Pneumonia, Meningitis Vaccine Protects Against Recurrent Pneumonia In HIV Patients

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:00:00 +0100

Pfizer's Prevnar 7 vaccine, which protects against pneumonia and meningitis, has been shown to reduce the risk of recurrent pneumococcal infection in patients living with HIV in Malawi, according to a study published Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine, Reuters reports. "In HIV-infected patients, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, the risk of developing [invasive pneumococcal disease] IPD ... is between 30 and 100 times higher, the scientists said in their study," Reuters writes... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Study Finds Pfizer's Pneumonia, Meningitis Vaccine Protects Against Recurrent Pneumonia In HIV Patients

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:00:00 +0100

Pneumococcal Vaccine Offers Protection To HIV-infected African Adults In Clinical Trial

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0100

A clinical trial of a vaccine against a major cause of pneumonia and meningitis has shown that it can prevent three out of four cases of re-infection in HIV-infected adults in Africa. The trials, conducted in Malawi and funded by the Wellcome Trust, studied the efficacy of a vaccine against infection with the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. These bacteria are a primary cause of pneumonia and when they invade the blood stream and brain - so called invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) - they cause the serious and often fatal illnesses of septicaemia and meningitis... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Pneumococcal Vaccine Offers Protection To HIV-infected African Adults In Clinical Trial

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0100

Conjugate Vaccine Prevents Recurrent Pneumococcal Disease in HIV

Medscape Medical News Headlines — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:59:30 +0100

The 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine cuts the risk of recurrent invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae infection in HIV patients, according to a study from Malawi. Reuters Health Information (Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines)

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Memories that last forever: strategies for optimizing vaccine T-cell memory

Blood — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:00:45 +0100

The objective of an HIV-1 T-cell vaccine is to generate functional CD8+ effector memory cells at mucosal portals of virus entry to prevent viral transmission. In addition, long-lived CD8+ and CD4+ central memory cells circulating through secondary lymphoid organs and resident in bone marrow, respectively, are needed to provide a concerted second wave of defense that can contain virus at mucosal surfaces and prevent systemic dissemination. Further understanding of factors which can influence long-lived effector and central memory cell differentiation will significantly contribute to development of effective T-cell vaccines. In this review we will focus on discussing mechanisms involved in T-cell memory and provide promising new approaches toward expanding current vaccine strategies to enhan...

Mosaic Vaccines Show Promise In Reducing The Spread Of HIV

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:00:00 +0100

Two teams of researchers - including Los Alamos National Laboratory theoretical biologists Bette Korber, Will Fischer, Sydeaka Watson, and James Szinger - have announced an HIV vaccination strategy that has been shown to expand the breadth and depth of immune responses in rhesus monkeys. Rhesus monkeys provide the best animal model currently available for testing HIV vaccines. The research appeared in two back-to-back articles in Nature Medicine this week, and outlines a strategy, called "mosaic vaccines," for reducing the spread of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Mosaic Vaccines Show Promise In Reducing The Spread Of HIV

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:00:00 +0100

Two teams of researchers - including Los Alamos National Laboratory theoretical biologists Bette Korber, Will Fischer, Sydeaka Watson, and James Szinger - have announced an HIV vaccination strategy that has been shown to expand the breadth and depth of immune responses in rhesus monkeys. Rhesus monkeys provide the best animal model currently available for testing HIV vaccines... (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today)

Pfizer pneumonia shot helps HIV-infected patients

Reuters: Health — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:20:18 +0100

LONDON (Reuters) - Results of a trial of Pfizer's Prevnar 7 vaccine against a major cause of pneumonia and meningitis showed on Wednesday that it can prevent three out of four cases of re-infection in HIV-infected adults in Africa. (Source: Reuters: Health)

Pfizer Pneumonia Shot Helps HIV-Infected Patients

MedlinePlus Health News — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:20:18 +0100

Results of a trial of Pfizer's Prevnar 7 vaccine against a major cause of pneumonia and meningitis showed on Wednesday that it can prevent three out of four cases of re-infection in HIV-infected adults in Africa.Source: Reuters Health Related MedlinePlus Pages: AIDS and Infections, International Health, Pneumonia (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

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HIV Vaccine Strategy Expands Immune Responses

Drugs.com - Clinical Trials — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:10:21 +0100

Mosaic vaccines show promise in reducing the spread of deadly virus LOS ALAMOS, New Mexico, March 3, 2010—Two teams of researchers—including Los Alamos National Laboratory theoretical biologists Bette Korber, Will Fischer, Sydeaka... (Source: Drugs.com - Clinical Trials)

HIV vaccine strategy expands immune responses

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

(DOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory) Two teams of researchers -- including Los Alamos National Laboratory theoretical biologists Bette Korber, Will Fischer, Sydeaka Watson, and James Szinger -- have announced an HIV vaccination strategy that has been shown to expand the breadth and depth of immune responses in rhesus monkeys. Rhesus monkeys provide the best animal model currently available for testing HIV vaccines. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Beneficial in HIV

Modern Medicine — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

A seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine can protect adults with HIV against recurrent pneumococcal infection, according to research published in the March 4 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. (Source: Modern Medicine)

A Trial of a 7-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine in HIV-Infected Adults

New England Journal of Medicine — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Pneumococcal infection is an important cause of death and complications in adults with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, particularly in Africa. In this placebo-controlled, randomized trial involving 496 predominantly HIV-infected Malawian adults who had recently had an invasive pneumococcal infection, the 7-valent conjugated pneumococcal vaccine was found to have 74% efficacy in preventing subsequent invasive pneumococcal infection with a vaccine-associated serotype. (Source: New England Journal of Medicine)

Quality Monitoring of HIV-1 Infected and Uninfected Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Samples in a Resource Limited Setting.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Olemukan RE, Eller LA, Ouma BJ, Etonu B, Erima S, Naluyima P, Kyabaggu D, Cox JH, Sandberg JK, Wabwire-Mangen F, Michael NL, Robb ML, de Souza MS, Eller MA Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 vaccine and natural history studies are critically dependent on the ability to isolate, cryopreserve, and thaw PBMC samples with a high level of quality and reproducibility. Here we characterize the yield, viability, phenotype and function of PBMC from HIV-1 infected and uninfected Ugandans, and describe measures to ascertain reproducibility and sample quality at the sites that perform cryopreservation. We have developed a comprehensive internal quality control program to monitor processing, including components of method validation. Quality indicators for real time performance assessmen...

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Genetic Immunity Presents DermaVir at DNA Vaccines 2010 Conference ? Unique Nanomedicine Formulation and Topical Administration of an HIV/AIDS Therapeutic Vaccine

Drugs.com - Clinical Trials — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:30:12 +0100

BUDAPEST, Hungary & MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 2, 2010 - Genetic Immunity, a US/Hungarian biopharmaceutical company developing nanomedicine vaccines, will present data at this week's DNA Vaccines 2010 in New Orleans, LA concerning the... (Source: Drugs.com - Clinical Trials)

Dendritic cell targeted HIV gag protein vaccine provides help to a DNA vaccine including mobilization of protective CD8+ T cells [Immunology]

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:42:14 +0100

To improve the efficacy of T cell–based vaccination, we pursued the principle that CD4+ T cells provide help for functional... (Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)

Thai HIV Vaccine: Transient Effects, Greater Protection for Those at Low Risk

Medscape Today Headlines — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:22:16 +0100

Post hoc analyses show that the effects of the Thai HIV vaccine in the RV 144 trial last for about a year, and it might be most effective for those at low risk. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Single-dose HIV DNA vaccine induces long-lasting immune response in monkeys

ScienceDaily Headlines — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:14:43 +0100

For the first time researchers from the U.S. and abroad have shown a single-dose HIV DNA vaccine can induce a long-lasting HIV-specific immune response in nonhuman primates, a discovery that could prove significant in the development of HIV vaccines. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:58:01 +0100

Tuberculosis (TB), a disease for which cheap, affordable, treatment has been available for 50 years, is today acknowledged as a global health disaster killing 1.8 million people annually. Alarmingly, the number of drug-resistant cases of TB is increasing globally, and the ominous emergence of extensively drug-resistant TB in Europe, Asia and southern Africa threatens the rest of the world. With new information accumulating on TB pathogenesis, epidemiology, diagnostics, new drugs, vaccine development, and TB treatment regimens for HIV-infected patients with active TB, the need for a comprehensive, up-to-date textbook with the latest information on all aspects of TB in both adults and children has been long overdue. (Source: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene)

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WHO AFRO Delegation Travels To U.S. To Discuss Health Care Collaboration

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:00:00 +0100

Luis Gomes Sambo, the WHO's regional director for Africa, "is in the U.S. this week" for meetings with senior health officials and development agency representatives to discuss collaborating on health, the New Times/allAfrica.com reports. During his trip, Sambo will meet with Mirta Roses, the director of PAHO, in addition to other PAHO officials... (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today)

Also In Global Health News: Global Fund; MDGs, Women; Polio Eradication

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:00:00 +0100

Radio Australia Interviews Global Fund Executive Director Radio Australia examines the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria's push for more funding from Australia and China... (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today)

White House Called on to Expand Global Health Initiative

MSF News — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:27:00 +0100

New York, February 24, 2010 The Obama administrations Global Health Initiative (GHI) does not go far enough in combating the most lethal neglected tropical diseases for which an estimated one billion people are infected, the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) said today. MSF and DNDi call on the US government to expand the GHI to encompass treatment programs for all neglected tropical diseases, while supporting a research and development pipeline that will produce more effective, safer, and accessible medicines to patients as quickly as possible. In its current formulation, the GHI proposes significant funding increases for treating only five of 14 so-called ne...

Evaluation and Management of Anal Intraepithelial Neoplasia in HIV-Negative and HIV-Positive Men Who Have Sex with Men

Current Infectious Disease Reports — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 06:55:52 +0100

Abstract The incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)–associated anal cancer in men who have sex with men (MSM) is striking and has not been mitigated by the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy. Detection and treatment of high-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasia (HGAIN) may reduce the incidence of anal cancer. Anal cytology is a useful tool to detect HGAIN; annual screening of HIV-positive MSM and biennial screening of HIV-negative MSM appears to be cost-effective. MSM with abnormal cytology should be referred for high-resolution anoscopy and biopsy. Individuals with HGAIN should receive treatment; treatment modalities for HGAIN demonstrate moderate efficacy and are usually well tolerated, but greater study is required to determine which treatment is optimal. Lar...

Tips from the Journals of the American Society for Microbiology

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 +0100

(American Society for Microbiology) The following are tips from the Journals of the American Society for Microbiology: "Campylobacter Bacteria in Cattle Manure May Survive Composting"; "Single-Dose HIV DNA Vaccine Induces Long-Lasting Immune Response in Monkeys"; and "Single-Dose H5N1 Vaccine Safe and Effective in Adults and Elderly." (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

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Co-administration of viral vector-based vaccines suppresses antigen-specific effector CD8 T cells.

Vaccine — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In this study, we explored immune responses after intramuscular co-administration of the HIV-1 gp160 Env gene-expressing adenovirus (Ad) vector and modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) vector in a mouse model. Surprisingly, the simultaneous vaccination of the two vaccines, either as a mixture or separately, suppressed responses, when compared with the administration of each vaccine separately. Ad vaccine or MVA vaccine, co-administered with a mock MVA or mock Ad vector, also resulted in suppressing HIV-specific effector T-cell responses, and a part of antigen-specific memory T-cell responses. In an in vitro experiment, the two vectors infected individual cells and MVA suppressed the transgene expression produced by the adenovirus vector. This viral interference may involve soluble factor(s...

AAAS Meeting Examines Test-And-Treat Model's Potential For Fighting HIV Spread, TB Co-Infection

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Researchers speaking at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) meeting on Saturday, discussed how a strategy to promote universal voluntary HIV tests and early antiretroviral treatment for patients living in high-risk areas might "derail the spread of [HIV/]AIDS, a battle where a successful vaccine remains elusive," the Associated Press/Washington Post reports... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

AAAS Meeting Examines Test-And-Treat Model's Potential For Fighting HIV Spread, TB Co-Infection

HIV / AIDS News From Medical News Today — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Anti-cancer activity of the HIV accessory molecule viral protein R (Vpr): Delivery as a DNA expression plasmid or biologically active peptides.

Vaccine — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Muthumani K, Lambert VM, Kawalekar O, Heller R, Kim JJ, Weiner DB, Ugen KE By virtue of its ability to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, the HIV accessory protein Vpr (viral protein R) has been evaluated by us and others as an anti-proliferative/anti-cancer agent. We have demonstrated that Vpr, when delivered to established experimental B16.F10 melanoma tumors in mice as a DNA expression plasmid through in vivo electroporation, can result in complete regression of the established tumors. We have also demonstrated that Vpr peptides from the carboxy region of the protein can inhibit in vitro growth of both B16.F10 melanoma as well as human HeLa cervical carcinoma tumor cells. These findings, summarized in this report, underscore the potential of Vpr as an anti-cancer agent...

Potent cross-reactive immune response against the wild-type and drug-resistant forms of HIV reverse transcriptase after the chimeric gene immunization.

Vaccine — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Starodubova E, Boberg A, Ivanov A, Latyshev O, Petrakova N, Kuzmenko Y, Litvina M, Chernousov A, Kochetkov S, Karpov V, Wahren B, Isaguliants MG HIV reverse transcriptase (RT) can be considered as a target and an instrument of immunotherapy aimed at limiting the emergence and spread of drug-resistant HIV. The chimeric genes coding for the wild-type and multi-drug-resistant RT (RT1.14) fused to lysosome-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP-1) were injected intramuscularly into BALB/c mice. The immune response was assessed by ELISpot, cytokine ELISA intracellular IFN-gamma staining, and antibody ELISA. The genes for RT- and RT1.14-LAMP fusions (RT-LAMP and RT1.14-LAMP) were immunogenic generating a mixed Th1/Th2-profile of immune response, while the wild-type RT gene induced only...

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Repeated DNA therapeutic vaccination of chronically SIV-infected macaques provides additional virological benefit.

Vaccine — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Valentin A, von Gegerfelt A, Rosati M, Miteloudis G, Alicea C, Bergamaschi C, Jalah R, Patel V, Khan AS, Draghia-Akli R, Pavlakis GN, Felber BK We have previously reported that therapeutic immunization by intramuscular injection of optimized plasmid DNAs encoding SIV antigens effectively induces immune responses able to reduce viremia in antiretroviral therapy (ART)-treated SIVmac251-infected Indian rhesus macaques. We subjected such therapeutically immunized macaques to a second round of therapeutic vaccination using a combination of plasmids expressing SIV genes and the IL-15/IL-15 receptor alpha as molecular adjuvant, which were delivered by the more efficacious in vivo constant-current electroporation. A very strong induction of antigen-specific responses to Gag, Env, Nef,...

An HIV-based lentiviral vector as HIV vaccine candidate: Immunogenic characterization.

Vaccine — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Lemiale F, Asefa B, Ye D, Chen C, Korokhov N, Humeau L Recently developed viral-vectored HIV vaccine candidates, despite achieving high levels transgene expression and inducing high magnitude immune responses to HIV, have faced limitations related to anti-vector immunity. In contrast, lentiviral vectors (LV) have been shown to be less sensitive to anti-vector neutralizing activity, while displaying desirable characteristics, such as transduction of non-dividing cells, including antigen-presenting cells, and long-term transgene expression. We have developed VRX1023, an HIV-based LV expressing HIV Gag, Pol and Rev under the control of the native HIV LTR. In mice, this vector induced significant mucosal and systemic cellular and humoral responses against HIV after sub-cutaneous i...

Systemic immunization with CCL27/CTACK modulates immune responses at mucosal sites in mice and macaques.

Vaccine — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Kraynyak KA, Kutzler MA, Cisper NJ, Khan AS, Draghia-Akli R, Sardesal NY, Lewis MG, Yan J, Weiner DB Plasmid DNA is a promising vaccine platform that has been shown to be safe and able to be administered repeatedly without vector interference. Enhancing the potency of DNA vaccination through co-delivery of molecular adjuvants is one strategy currently under investigation. Here we describe the use of the novel chemokine adjuvant CCL27/CTACK to enhance immune responses to an HIV-1 or SIV antigen in mice and rhesus macaques. CCL27 has been shown to play a role in inflammatory responses through chemotaxis of CCR10+ cells, and we hypothesized that CCL27 may modulate adaptive immune responses. Immunizations in mice with HIV-1gag/CCL27 enhanced immune responses both at peripheral and...

Viral reservoir is suppressed but not eliminated by CD8 vaccine specific lymphocytes.

Vaccine — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Yin J, Dai A, Shen A, Lecureux J, Lewis MG, Boyer JD It has long been postulated that while CD8 lymphocytes are capable of suppressing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 replication it is unlikely that the viral reservoirs once formed can be cleared. Our previous studies demonstrate that co-immunizing cynomologous macaques with a simian/human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) DNA-based vaccines induces a strong cellular immune response that is able to suppress viral replication. We further demonstrated that interleukin (IL)-12 could significantly enhance the vaccine specific CD8 lymphocyte response. In this manuscript cynomologous macaques were vaccinated with a SHIV DNA-based vaccine co-delivered with IL-12. The macaques were then challenged with SHIV89.6p. Two years post-immun...

News Outlets Examine HIV Vaccine Research, Cervical Cancer Screening Data Presented At Conference

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Several news outlets examine the latest reports out of this week's Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in San Francisco. Researchers from the Maryland-based VIRxSYS Corporation on Thursday presented data on the outcomes of the company's HIV vaccine, VRX1023, from a recent trial carried out in monkeys, Reuters reports... (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today)

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News Outlets Examine HIV Vaccine Research, Cervical Cancer Screening Data Presented At Conference

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Several news outlets examine the latest reports out of this week's Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in San Francisco. Researchers from the Maryland-based VIRxSYS Corporation on Thursday presented data on the outcomes of the company's HIV vaccine, VRX1023, from a recent trial carried out in monkeys, Reuters reports. The scientists genetically engineered a version of HIV for use in the vaccine, "an approach that has been rejected as unworkable in the past," according to Reuters... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Halt HIV Spread In 5 Years With Test And Treat Plan Says Expert

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 10:00:00 +0100

While the search for a vaccine is important, by testing and immediately treating people in high risk areas with antiretrovirals we could stop HIV spreading in five years and eradicate HIV/AIDS altogether in 40 years, says an expert who spoke at a conference at the weekend. Dr Brian Williams, a research fellow at the South African Centre for Epidemiological Modeling and Analysis, made this point on Saturday at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) which takes place this year on 18 to 22 February in San Diego... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Halt HIV Spread In 5 Years With Test And Treat Plan Says Expert

HIV / AIDS News From Medical News Today — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Africa: HIV Infection Could End in Five Years, Says Expert

AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 09:46:10 +0100

With an estimated 35 million people infected with HIV worldwide, public health officials have begun to look beyond developing a vaccine to the stop the epidemic. (Source: AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs)

Steve Connor: In absence of a vaccine, this is probably our best hope

The Independent - Science — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:01 +0100

The Aids virus, HIV, has a relatively short life cycle of less than a few days from when it first infects a cell to the moment it completes the assembly of its "offspring" viruses. It also lacks any mechanism for correcting mistakes or mutations that occur when it converts its RNA genetic material into the DNA code of the human cell. (Source: The Independent - Science)

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Blanket HIV testing 'could see Aids dying out in 40 years'

Guardian Unlimited Science — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 17:00:16 +0100

Health officials consider routine checks followed by lifetime course of drugs for everyone with the virusHealth officials are considering a radical shift in the war against HIV and Aids that would see everyone tested for the virus and put on a lifetime course of drugs if they are found to be positive.The strategy, which would involve testing most of the world's population for HIV, aims to reduce the transmission of the virus that causes Aids to a level at which it dies out completely over the next 40 years.Brian Williams, professor of epidemiology at the South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis in Stellenbosch, said that transmission of HIV could effectively be halted within five years with the use of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs)."The epidemic of HIV is really one of ...

Blanket HIV testing could eradicate Aids

Guardian Unlimited Science — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 17:00:16 +0100

Early, aggressive therapy eyed in blocking AIDS

USATODAY.com Health — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 11:14:34 +0100

Aggressive, early anti-viral therapy might provide a way to derail the spread of AIDS, a battle where a successful vaccine remains ... (Source: USATODAY.com Health)

Mosaic HIV-1 vaccines expand the breadth and depth of cellular immune responses in rhesus monkeys

Nature Medicine — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Dan H Barouch, Kara L O'Brien, Nathaniel L Simmons, Sharon L King, Peter Abbink, Lori F Maxfield, Ying-Hua Sun, Annalena La Porte, Ambryice M Riggs, Diana M Lynch, Sarah L Clark, Katherine Backus, James R Perry, Michael S Seaman, Angela Carville, Keith G Mansfield, James J Szinger, Will Fischer, Mark Muldoon & Bette Korber The worldwide diversity of HIV-1 presents an unprecedented challenge for vaccine development. Antigens derived from natural HIV-1 sequences have elicited only a limited breadth of cellular immune responses in nonhuman primate studies and clinical trials to date. Polyvalent 'mosaic' antigens, in contrast, are designed to optimize cellular immunologic coverage of global HIV-1 sequence diversity. Here we show that mosaic HIV-1 Gag, Pol and Env antigens expresse...

Mosaic vaccines elicit CD8+ T lymphocyte responses that confer enhanced immune coverage of diverse HIV strains in monkeys

Nature Medicine — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Sampa Santra, Hua-Xin Liao, Ruijin Zhang, Mark Muldoon, Sydeaka Watson, Will Fischer, James Theiler, James Szinger, Harikrishnan Balachandran, Adam Buzby, David Quinn, Robert J Parks, Chun-Yen Tsao, Angela Carville, Keith G Mansfield, George N Pavlakis, Barbara K Felber, Barton F Haynes, Bette T Korber & Norman L Letvin An effective HIV vaccine must elicit immune responses that recognize genetically diverse viruses. It must generate CD8+ T lymphocytes that control HIV replication and CD4+ T lymphocytes that provide help for the generation and maintenance of both cellular and humoral immune responses against the virus. Creating immunogens that can elicit cellular immune responses against the genetically varied circulating isolates of HIV presents a key challenge for creating an...

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Early, Aggressive Therapy Eyed In Blocking AIDS

WDSU.com - Health — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 22:39:50 +0100

Aggressive, early anti-viral therapy might provide a way to derail the spread of AIDS, a battle where a successful vaccine remains elusive. (Source: WDSU.com - Health)

Testing and therapy needed to block AIDS

CTV Health — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 22:25:40 +0100

Aggressive, early anti-viral therapy might provide a way to derail the spread of AIDS, a battle where a successful vaccine remains elusive. (Source: CTV Health)

Health headlines: Deafness, IVF and the new flu vaccine

Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 13:00:56 +0100

Other stories we’ve been reading: New York’s soda tax could bring in $222 million. [Read Children's obesity expert's take on artificially sweetened beverages.] Chronic health conditions are increasing in children. If your child’s grandparents are babysitting regularly, it’s more likely your kid will be overweight. Bone-anchored hearing aids help kids with single-side deafness. The best way to keep your kids vaccinations up-to-date is to keep a shot card. [Read about the updated immunization schedule.] Rapid flu tests are most accurate for young children. The new seasonal flu vaccine will contain an H1N1 strain. Teens might exercise more if they think it’s fun. Video games aren’t the cause for your teen’s headaches. Tired teens are more prone to car crashes. A lack of morning ...

AltraVax, Inc. Acquires Revolutionary Technology Platform For Vaccine Development

Health News from Medical News Today — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 07:00:00 +0100

AltraVax, Inc., a new, privately-held biopharmaceutical company, has acquired a vaccine development technology package from Maxygen, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAXY) that gives AltraVax an exclusive license to develop vaccines for infectious diseases and is targeting influenza, a treatment for hepatitis B and HIV. Under the terms of the licensing agreement, AltraVax has exclusive rights to use Maxygen's proprietary MolecularBreeding™ technology platform in its infectious disease vaccine development programs, subject to rights retained by Maxygen... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

AltraVax, Inc. Acquires Revolutionary Technology Platform For Vaccine Development

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 07:00:00 +0100

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Trends in Vaccine-induced Immunity to Hepatitis B among Canadian Street-involved Youth

Journal of Urban Health — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 06:56:22 +0100

Abstract In Canada, universal and publicly funded hepatitis B immunization programs have been available since 1998 in all provinces and territories. This present study estimates the proportion of having vaccine-induced immunity to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and its associated determinants among street-involved youth aged at 15–24 years old in Canada using the data collected by the Enhanced Surveillance of Canadian Street Youth. Vaccine-induced immunity was identified by blood test results of anti-HBc negative and anti-HBs positive. Of the 4,035 participants included in this study, the overall proportion of those with vaccine-induced immunity to HBV was 51.7% during the study period compared to over 90% among the general adolescent population. The proportion o...

VIRxSYS Announces At CROI Promising Results From Its HIV Vaccine Study

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 23:00:00 +0100

VIRxSYS Corporation, a privately held company developing vaccines and RNA therapies for serious human diseases such as HIV and cardiovascular diseases, announced results from its prophylactic HIV vaccine (VRX1023) study in Rhesus Macaque monkeys during a presentation today at the 2010 Annual Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in San Francisco, CA... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

VIRxSYS Announces At CROI Promising Results From Its HIV Vaccine Study

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 23:00:00 +0100

HIV vaccine facility won't be built

CBC | Health — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 22:31:59 +0100

A planned multimillion-dollar HIV vaccine manufacturing facility won't be built in Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada confirmed Friday. (Source: CBC | Health)

Influence of Age and Nature of Primary Infection on Varicella‐Zoster Virus–Specific Cell‐Mediated Immune Responses

The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 21:16:32 +0100

The Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 000, Latest Articles. Background. Varicella‐zoster virus (VZV)‐specific cell‐mediated immunity is important for protection against VZV disease. We studied the relationship between VZV cell‐mediated immunity and age after varicella or VZV vaccination in healthy and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–infected individuals. Methods. VZV responder cell frequency (RCF) determinations from 752 healthy and 200 HIV‐infected subjects were used to identify group‐specific regression curves on age. Results. In healthy individuals with past varicella, VZV RCF peaked at 34 years of age. Similarly, VZV‐RCF after varicella vaccine increased with age in subjects aged 5 years generated VZV RCF values similar to those o...

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VIRxSYS Announces at CROI Promising Results from Its HIV Vaccine Study

Drugs.com - Clinical Trials — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 20:50:10 +0100

Lentiviral vector-based vaccine achieved significant control of viral load in monkeys GAITHERSBURG, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb 19, 2010 - VIRxSYS Corporation, a privately held company developing vaccines and RNA therapies for serious human diseases... (Source: Drugs.com - Clinical Trials)

Cross‐Reactive Neutralizing Humoral Immunity Does Not Protect from HIV Type 1 Disease Progression

The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 20:21:55 +0100

The Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 000, Latest Articles. Broadly reactive neutralizing antibodies are the focus of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 vaccine design. However, only little is known about their role in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) pathogenesis and the factors associated with their development. Here we used a multisubtype panel of 23 HIV‐1 variants to determine the prevalence of cross‐reactive neutralizing activity in serum samples obtained ∼35 months after seroconversion from 82 HIV‐1 subtype B–infected participants from the Amsterdam Cohort Studies on HIV Infection and AIDS. Of these patients, 33%, 48%, and 20%, respectively, had strong, moderate, or absent cross‐reactive neutralizing activity in serum. Viral RNA...

HIV Neutralizing Antibodies: Clinical Correlates and Implications for Vaccines

The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 20:21:08 +0100

The Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 000, Latest Articles. (Source: The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

Fight HIV with HIV: 'safe' virus proposed as vaccine

New Scientist - HIV and AIDS — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:10:01 +0100

The idea was dismissed years ago as too risky a proposition, but a new approach shows promise (Source: New Scientist - HIV and AIDS)

Push for more stable vaccines

NHS News Feed — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 11:49:00 +0100

Conclusion This was a proof-of-concept study that showed that viral vector stability at warm temperatures could be increased by slowly drying vaccines suspended in sugar stabilisers onto special filter-like membranes. This study was performed with model viral vectors that can have DNA inserted into them to make them work as vaccines for specific diseases. Further work is needed to characterise the effect of the technique on the storage conditions needed for vaccines used for specific diseases. This development is potentially very useful as it may lead to improvements in the availability and effectiveness of vaccination programmes in areas of the world with fewer resources. Links To The Headlines Scientists raise fresh hopes for fridge-free vaccines. BBC News, February 19 2010 Links To S...

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GeoVax Labs, Inc. Reports Data On Prototype Adjuvant - Supplemented HIV Vaccine Tested In Preclinical Animal Studies

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 10:00:00 +0100

GeoVax Labs, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: GOVX) (the "Company"), an Atlanta-based, biopharmaceutical company developing vaccines for diseases caused by HIV-1 (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), announced that it presented the results of a preclinical study on a prototype HIV/AIDS vaccine at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in San Francisco... (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today)

GeoVax Labs, Inc. Reports Data On Prototype Adjuvant - Supplemented HIV Vaccine Tested In Preclinical Animal Studies

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 10:00:00 +0100

GeoVax Labs, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: GOVX) (the "Company"), an Atlanta-based, biopharmaceutical company developing vaccines for diseases caused by HIV-1 (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), announced that it presented the results of a preclinical study on a prototype HIV/AIDS vaccine at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in San Francisco. The oral presentation, "Preclinical Studies on DNA/MVA Vaccines: Co-expressed GM-CSF, a Strong Adjuvant for Prevention of Infection," was presented by Dr... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Vaccine For Diabetes Possible This Decade, Says Report

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 09:00:00 +0100

In the not-too-distant future we could see diabetes, the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S., treated with a vaccine. Several vaccine candidates are in the pipeline, creating a possible $2.4 billion market for diabetes vaccine products by 2020, according to healthcare market research publisher Kalorama Information, who recently published a survey of emerging vaccine products titled: "What's Next in Vaccines? HIV, Malaria, Rabies, MRSA, and 30 Other Vaccine Targets in the 2010-2020 Pipeline." Type I diabetes currently afflicts 35,000 people in the U.S... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

AIDS vaccine effects may wear off, researchers say

Reuters: Health — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:49:49 +0100

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An AIDS vaccine that appears to have worked at least partly in Thailand may only temporarily protect patients, with the effects starting to wane after a year or so, researchers reported on Thursday. (Source: Reuters: Health)

AIDS Vaccine Effects May Wear Off, Researchers Say

MedlinePlus Health News — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:49:49 +0100

An AIDS vaccine that appears to have worked at least partly in Thailand may only temporarily protect patients, with the effects starting to wane after a year or so, researchers reported on Thursday. Source: Reuters Health Related MedlinePlus Topics: AIDS, Immunization (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

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Fight HIV with HIV: 'safe' virus proposed as vaccine

New Scientist - Health — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:13:04 +0100

The idea was dismissed years ago as too risky a proposition, but a new approach shows promise (Source: New Scientist - Health)

U.S. company Virxsys says using AIDS to fight AIDS

Reuters: Health — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:01:28 +0100

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A company using genetically engineered versions of the AIDS virus says its unusual approach is getting some results, both for treating and perhaps as a vaccine against the virus. (Source: Reuters: Health)

CROI: Thai Trial Invigorates HIV Vaccine Hunt

MedPage Today State Required CME — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 21:43:14 +0100

SAN FRANCISCO (MedPage Today) -- The field of HIV vaccine research has been re-energized by the results of the so-called Thai trial, which for the first time showed a benefit from a vaccine candidate. This exclusive InFocus™ report explores new data and implications. (Source: MedPage Today State Required CME)

GeoVax Labs, Inc. Reports Data on Prototype Adjuvant - Supplemented HIV Vaccine Tested in Preclinical Animal Studies

Drugs.com - Clinical Trials — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:45:06 +0100

Results From Study Using Non-human Primates Indicate 70% Level of Protection From Infection Presentation Made at Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections ATLANTA, Feb. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- GeoVax Labs, Inc. (OTC Bulletin... (Source: Drugs.com - Clinical Trials)

Characterization of transgene expression in adenoviral-vector based HIV-1 vaccine candidates

Virology Journal — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Recombinant adenovirus vectors have been extensively used in gene therapy clinical studies. More recently, the capability of inducing potent cell-mediated and humoral immunity has made these vectors equally attractive candidates for prophylactic or therapeutic vaccine applications. Merck developed HIV-1 vaccine candidates based on adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) vectors in which the E1 gene, a critical component for adenovirus replication, was replaced by the cytomegalovirus immediate/early promoter, followed by mutated versions of the HIV-1 gag, pol or nef genes (constructs referred to as MRKAd5gag, MRKAd5pol and MRKAd5nef, respectively). Vaccine performance was evaluated in vitro in a novel assay that measures the level of transgene expression in non-permissive A549 cells. Various combinatio...

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Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Model for Designing HIV/AIDS Vaccines.

Current HIV Research — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Yamamoto JK, Sanou MP, Abbott JR, Coleman JK Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) discovered in 1986 is a lentivirus that causes AIDS in domestic cats. FIV is classified into five subtypes (A-E), and all subtypes and circulating intersubtype recombinants have been identified throughout the world. A commercial FIV vaccine, consisting of inactivated subtype-A and -D viruses (Fel-O-Vax FIV, Fort Dodge Animal Health), was released in the United States in 2002. The United States Department of Agriculture approved the commercial release of Fel-O-Vax FIV based on two efficacy trials using 105 laboratory cats and a major safety trial performed on 689 pet cats. The prototype and commercial FIV vaccines had broad prophylactic efficacy against global FIV subtypes and circulating intersubt...

Jembrana Disease Virus: Host Responses, Viral Dynamics and Disease Control.

Current HIV Research — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Desport M, Lewis J Jembrana disease virus (JDV) is the most recently discovered member of the lentivirus family and causes an acute clinical disease in Bali cattle with a fatality rate of approximately 15%. It is genetically related to bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) to the extent that infections cannot yet be differentially diagnosed using serological assays due to cross-reacting epitopes. Despite their close genetic relationship the pathogenesis of JDV infection in Bali cattle is very different to that of BIV in cattle and is unusual for a member of this virus family. The dynamics of JDV replication and clearance during the acute stage of Jembrana disease, the viral tropism, molecular analysis of the viral genome and mRNA transcripts, and the current status of vaccine de...

EIAV Envelope Diversity: Shaping Viral Persistence and Encumbering Vaccine Efficacy.

Current HIV Research — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Craigo JK, Montelaro RC Equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) and its associated disease have presented a considerable challenge to veterinary medicine worldwide ever since its identification in the 19(th) century. Furthermore EIAV, along with its fellow animal lentiviruses, has been utilized as an animal model of HIV-1/AIDS research since the latters identification in the late 20(th) century. Like all lentiviruses, EIAV has been shown to have a high propensity for genomic sequence and antigenic variation, principally in its envelope (Env) proteins. However, unlike other lentiviruses, EIAV possesses a unique and dynamic disease presentation that enables consummate analyses of the interactions between a virus, host immune system, and the effects of viral evolution on vaccine ef...

Induction of SIV p27-Specific Multifunctional T Cells in the Gut Following Prime-Boost Immunization with Clostridium perfringens and Adenovirus Vaccines Expressing SIV p27.

Current HIV Research — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Helmus RA, Poonam P, Caruso L, Gupta P, Chen Y A vaccine-induced cellular immune response to simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) in the gut mucosal tissue may prevent the establishment or severity of new SIV infection. An oral Clostridium perfringens expressing SIV p27 (Cp-p27) vaccine that delivers SIV p27 to the gut was evaluated for its ability to prime multifunctional cellular immunity in the gut mucosa. Gut Peyer's patches dendritic cells matured in response to in vitro exposure to Cp-p27 and stimulated production of p27-specific IFN-gamma. In mice, the oral vaccination with the Cp-p27 vaccine and systemic immunization with adenovirus expressing SIV p27 (Ad-p27) induced robust systemic and mucosal immune responses. Furthermore, the prime-boost regimen induced p27-specific...

25 years after HIV discovery: Prospects for cure and vaccine.

Virology — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:26:23 +0100

Authors: Montagnier L PMID: 20152474 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Virology)

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Also In Global Health News: Boosting Banana Production; Measles Vaccines In Bangladesh; NTDs; Burkina Faso Maternal Care; Health Care, HIV In S.A.

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Moderate Fertilizer Use Could Double Banana Production In East Africa, Improve Food Security A study of almost 200 farms in Uganda, funded by USAID and carried out by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), found that moderate use of mineral fertilizers could double banana production in East Africa and improve the lives of more than 70 million people dependent on the crop for food and income, the East African/allAfrica.com reports (Mande, 2/15). A majority of banana growers in the region make no use of fertilizers, the study found, afrol News writes (2/12)... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Also In Global Health News: Boosting Banana Production; Measles Vaccines In Bangladesh; NTDs; Burkina Faso Maternal Care; Health Care, HIV In S.A.

HIV / AIDS News From Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:00:00 +0100

The antiviral protein cyanovirin-N: the current state of its production and applications.

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Xiong S, Fan J, Kitazato K Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS continues to spread worldwide, and most of the HIV-infected people living in developing countries have little or no access to highly active antiretroviral therapy. The development of efficient and low-cost microbicides to prevent sexual transmission of HIV should be given high priority because there is no vaccine available yet. Cyanovirin-N (CVN) is an entry inhibitor of HIV and many other viruses, and it represents a new generation of microbicide that has specific and potent activity, a different mechanism of action, and unusual chemicophysical stability. In vitro and in vivo antiviral tests suggested that the anti-HIV effect of CVN is stronger than a well-known gp120-targeted antibody (2G12) and another micro...

In situ detection of Gag-specific CD8+ cells in the GI tract of SIV infected Rhesus macaques

Retrovirology — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The use of Qdot multimers provide an anatomic and quantitative evaluation of SIV specific CD8+ T cell responses in SIV pathogenesis, and may prove useful to studies of SIV specific CD8+ T cell responses elicited by vaccines and other immunotherapies in the non-human primate model. (Source: Retrovirology)

Antibody responses elicited through homologous or heterologous prime-boost DNA and protein vaccinations differ in functional activity and avidity.

Vaccine — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Vaine M, Wang S, Hackett A, Arthos J, Lu S Using a gp120 envelope glycoprotein from the JR-FL strain of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) as a model antigen, the goal of the current study was to evaluate the level and quality of antibody responses elicited by different prime-boost vaccination regimens (protein only, DNA only, DNA plus protein) in rabbits. Our data demonstrated that incorporating DNA immunization as a prime in a heterologous prime-boost regimen was able to elicit a more diverse and conformational epitope profile, higher antibody avidity, and improved neutralizing activity than immunization with only protein. Additionally, this improved neutralizing activity was observed in spite of similar antibody specificities and avidities seen when only DNA vaccination...

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Study Suggests Inactivated Mycobacterial Vaccine May Prevent Tuberculosis in Bacille Calmette-Guérin-Primed, HIV-Infected Adults

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

“The DarDar trial was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. The study was carried [out] in an outpatient facility in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. HIV-infected patients with CD4 cell counts of at least 200 cells/mul and a Bacille Calmette-Guérin scar were chosen for the study. The intervention was carried out by random 1:1 assignment to five intradermal doses of M. vaccae or placebo. Tuberculin skin tests were performed, and patients with reactions of at least 5 mm were administered isoniazid for 6 months. … Two thousand thirteen individuals were randomized (1006 to M. vaccae, 1007 to placebo) and followed every 3 months for a median of 3.3 years. The trial was terminated early because of slow accrual of cases of disseminated tuberculosis and significant protection against ...

Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) exposure to human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) abolish T cell responses only in high concentrations and following coincubation for more than two hours.

Journal of Immunological Methods — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We report that high concentrations of up to 10 % of DMSO for one hour do not affect the cell viability, the magnitude or the functional profile of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell responses, regardless of antigen specificity and HLA class I restriction. In contrast, >2% for >2 hours compromises these responses. These data are relevant in the design of immunotherapies based on pulsing a large number of peptides onto antigen presenting cells prior to reinfusion. PMID: 20156444 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Journal of Immunological Methods)

3-D structure of bullet-shaped virus with potential to fight cancer, HIV revealed

ScienceDaily Headlines — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:00:00 +0100

A recent study demonstrates that with advanced imaging technique, the vesicular stomatitis virus can be modified to serve as an anti-cancer agent because it displays high selectivity in killing cancer cells while sparing normal cells. It can also be engineered as a potent vaccine against HIV/AIDS. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Africa: High Hopes as New TB Vaccine Proves Effective

AllAfrica News: Tuberculosis — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:20:33 +0100

Hope of an effective tuberculosis (TB) vaccine has been boosted by findings from the Tanzanian trial of a new TB vaccine showing that TB infection in HIV-positive patients was reduced by 39 percent. (Source: AllAfrica News: Tuberculosis)

Researchers Reveal 3-D Structure Of Bullet-Shaped Virus With Potential To Fight Cancer, HIV

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 08:00:00 +0100

Vesicular stomatitis virus, or VSV, has long been a model system for studying and understanding the life cycle of negative-strand RNA viruses, which include viruses that cause influenza, measles and rabies. More importantly, research has shown that VSV has the potential to be genetically modified to serve as an anti-cancer agent, exercising high selectivity in killing cancer cells while sparing healthy cells, and as a potent vaccine against HIV. For such modifications to occur, however, scientists must have an accurate picture of the virus's structure... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Researchers Reveal 3-D Structure Of Bullet-Shaped Virus With Potential To Fight Cancer, HIV

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 08:00:00 +0100

Prevalence of chronic hepatitis B virus infection among patients in the HIV Outpatient Study, 1996–2007†

Journal of Viral Hepatitis — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Summary. Coinfection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an important and preventable cause of chronic liver disease among HIV-infected patients. We calculated the prevalence of chronic HBV infection annually from 1996 to 2007 by age, gender, race/ethnicity, and HIV transmission risk in a multisite observational cohort study of HIV-infected patients. Prevalence of chronic HBV infection was calculated as the number of patients with a positive HBsAg or detectable HBV DNA divided by the number of patients tested using either one of these assays. Among 4467 (59%) patients tested for chronic HBV infection from a total of 7618 patients active during 1996[ndash]2007, median age was 38.5 years, 77% were men, 49% were white, 35% were black, 13% were Hispanic, and 53% were men who had sex with men (MSM)...

Scientists Discover How HIV Is Transmitted Between Men

MedlinePlus Health News — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:00:00 +0100

Finding could lead to new vaccines, treatments, researchers say Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Topic: AIDS (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

Vaccine May Prevent TB in People With HIV

MedicineNet HIV General — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Title: Vaccine May Prevent TB in People With HIVCategory: Health NewsCreated: 2/9/2010 4:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 2/10/2010 (Source: MedicineNet HIV General)

Induction of antibody-mediated neutralization in SIVmac239 by a naturally acquired V3 mutation.

Virology — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Faith SA, Wu Y, Kuhrt D, Steckbeck JD, Craigo JK, Clements JE, Cole KS Achieving humoral immunity against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a major obstacle in AIDS vaccine development. Despite eliciting robust humoral responses to HIV, exposed hosts rarely produce broadly neutralizing antibodies. The present study utilizes simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) to identify viral epitopes that conferred antibody neutralization to clone SIV/17E-CL, an in vivo variant derived from neutralization resistant SIVmac239. Neutralization assays using rhesus macaque monoclonal antibodies were performed on viruses engineered to express single or multiple amino acid mutations. Results identified a single amino acid mutation, P334R, in the carboxy-terminal half of the V3 loop as a critica...

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Vaccine May Prevent Tuberculosis in People with HIV

MedlinePlus Health News — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:00:00 +0100

Clinical trial results mark 'significant milestone,' expert says Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Topics: AIDS and Infections, Immunization, Tuberculosis (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

New paradigms for treating hepatitis B in HIV/hepatitis B virus co-infected patients

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:11:22 +0100

Until the advent of tenofovir, many HIV/hepatitis B virus (HBV) co-infected patients had been treated with lamivudine as the only agent active against HBV. Selection of lamivudine-resistant HBV strains occurred in many of these patients, complicating clinical prognosis and rescue therapy. These individuals might also transmit HBV-resistant strains. Moreover, a subset of these lamivudine-resistant HBV isolates may behave as vaccine escape mutants, complicating diagnostic accuracy (e.g. producing ‘occult’ hepatitis B) and reducing the efficacy of preventive measures (causing infection in vaccinated persons). Nowadays, periodic monitoring of HBV viral load in co-infected patients should be mandatory. It may allow the early recognition of HBV viraemic individuals who may benefit fr...

Epidemiology of HPV in HIV-Positive and HIV-Negative Fertile Women in Cameroon, West Africa

Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:59:29 +0100

Conclusions. Oncogenic HPV subtypes 45 and 58 were more prevalent than those subtypes carried in the quadrivalent vaccine. Further studies are needed to assess whether the current vaccine will be effective in this region. (Source: Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology)

GeoVax Labs, Inc. Begins Enrollment At Final Site For Preventative Vaccine; Next Step Is To Submit IND Application For Therapeutic Vaccine To FDA

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:00:00 +0100

GeoVax Labs, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: GOVX) (the "Company"), an Atlanta-based, biopharmaceutical company developing human vaccines for diseases caused by HIV-1 (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and other infectious agents, provided an update on its vaccine trials progress. "The HIV/AIDS population continues to grow at an alarming rate, 60,000 new infections annually, and that's just in the United States. Preventing the spread of this disease and controlling infections through the development of vaccines remains our mission and our goal," stated Robert McNally, Ph.D... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

GeoVax Labs, Inc. Begins Enrollment At Final Site For Preventative Vaccine; Next Step Is To Submit IND Application For Therapeutic Vaccine To FDA

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:00:00 +0100

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Host genes associated with HIV/AIDS: advances in gene discovery.

Trends in Genetics : TIG — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: An P, Winkler CA Twenty-five years after the discovery of HIV as the cause of AIDS there is still no effective vaccine and no cure for this disease. HIV susceptibility shows a substantial degree of individual heterogeneity, much of which can be conferred by host genetic variation. In an effort to discover host factors required for HIV replication, identify crucial pathogenic pathways, and reveal the full armament of host defenses, there has been a shift from candidate-gene studies to unbiased genome-wide genetic and functional studies. However, the number of securely identified host factors involved in HIV disease remains small, explaining only approximately 15-20% of the observed heterogeneity - most of which is attributable to human lymphocyte antigen (HLA) variants. Multidi...

Researchers reveal 3-D structure of bullet-shaped virus with potential to fight cancer, HIV

UCLA Newsroom: Health Sciences — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:00:00 +0100

Researchers reveal 3-D structure of bullet-shaped virus with potential to fight cancer, HIV

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:00:00 +0100

(University of California - Los Angeles) A recent UCLA study demonstrates that with advanced imaging technique, the vesicular stomatitis virus can be modified to serve as an anti-cancer agent because it displays high selectivity in killing cancer cells while sparing normal cells. It can also be engineered as a potent vaccine against HIV/AIDS. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Immunoprophylaxis of Tuberculosis: An Update of Emerging Trends

Archivum Immunologiae et Therapiae Experimentalis — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 18:09:32 +0100

Abstract Developing effective prophylactics to combat tuberculosis is currently in an exploratory stage. The HIV pandemic and emergence of multi- and extensively drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis indicate that the current preventive measures against this ever-evolving pathogen are inadequate. The currently available vaccine BCG in its present form affords variable protection which usually wanes with aging. Various reasons have been cited to explain the discrepancies in the efficacy of BCG, including generic differences in the different BCG vaccine strains used in immunization program throughout the world. The low efficacy of BCG vaccine has promoted the search for novel vaccines for tuberculosis. The search strategies aim at completely replacing the exist...

Use of Nonhuman Primate Models to Develop Mucosal AIDS Vaccines

Current HIV/AIDS Reports — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:19:29 +0100

Abstract The HIV vaccines tested in the halted Step efficacy trial and the modestly successful phase 3 RV144 trial were designed to elicit strong systemic immune responses; therefore, strategies to direct immune responses into mucosal sites should be tested in an effort to improve AIDS vaccine efficacy. However, as increased CD4+ T-cell activation and recruitment to mucosal sites have the potential to enhance HIV transmission, mucosal immune responses to HIV vaccines should primarily consist of effector CD8+ T cells and plasma cells. Controlling the level of mucosal T-cell activation may be a critical factor in developing an effective mucosal AIDS vaccine. Immunization routes and adjuvants that can boost antiviral immunity in mucosal surfaces offer a reasonable opportunity ...

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Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection during pregnancy induces CD4 T-cell differentiation and modulates responses to Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine in HIV-uninfected infants

Immunology — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:38:49 +0100

(Source: Immunology)

What Does the Structure-Function Relationship of the HIV-1 Tat Protein Teach us About Developing an AIDS Vaccine?

Medscape Today Headlines — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:04:41 +0100

The HIV type 1 trans-activator of transcription protein Tat is a key factor in viral pathogenesis - one HIV vaccine developers are keenly interested in. Retrovirology (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Viral Inhibition Assay: A CD8 T Cell Neutralization Assay for Use in Clinical Trials of HIV‐1 Vaccine Candidates

The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:57:48 +0100

The Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 201, Issue 5, Page 720-729, 1 March 2010. We have characterized an assay measuring CD8 T cell–mediated inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 replication, demonstrating specificity and reproducibility and employing a panel of primary HIV‐1 isolates. The assay uses relatively simple autologous cell culture and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, avoids generation of T cell clones, and can be performed with (Source: The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

Billion Dollar Market For Malaria Vaccine Products Should Interest Drug Developers

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 09:00:00 +0100

With increased attention on finding a cure for the scourge of malaria, recently highlighted by the announcement of a large research and development grant from the Bill Gates Foundation, and with several candidates already in the pipeline, there could be a $1 billion market for malaria vaccine products by 2017, according to healthcare market research publisher Kalorama Information, which recently published a survey of emerging vaccine products titled: "What's Next in Vaccines? HIV, Malaria, Rabies, MRSA, and 30 Other Vaccine Targets in the 2010-2020 Pipeline... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

New vaccine effective in preventing TB in African patients with HIV infection

ScienceDaily Headlines — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Results of a clinical trial show that a new vaccine against tuberculosis is effective in preventing tuberculosis in people with HIV infection. Scientists found that MV immunization reduced the rate of definite tuberculosis by 39 percent among 2,000 HIV-infected patients in Tanzania. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

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Future paths for HIV vaccine research: Exploiting results from recent clinical trials and current scientific advances

Current Opinion in Molecular Therapeutics — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

No description available (Source: Current Opinion in Molecular Therapeutics)

New Vaccine Effective In Preventing TB In HIV-Positive Patients Phase III Trials Prove To Be A "Significant Milestone" In Vaccination Research

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 10:00:00 +0100

New Vaccine Effective In Preventing TB In HIV-Positive Patients Phase III Trials Prove To Be A "Significant Milestone" In Vaccination Research

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Results from clinical trials conducted in Tanzania show that a new vaccine against tuberculosis, Mycobacterium vaccae (MV), is effective in preventing tuberculosis in people with HIV infection. Findings from the trials, which were conducted by investigators from Dartmouth Medical School in the United States, will be published in the next issue of AIDS, the leading journal in the field of HIV and AIDS research... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

High-risk populations may not accept an HIV vaccine, study finds

UCLA Newsroom: Health Sciences — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 08:00:00 +0100

HIV vaccines are considered the holy grail of AIDS research. The availability of a safe and effective vaccine could prevent millions of new HIV infections. Yet the simple availability of a vaccine is not enough to ensure that it would actually be widely accessible and taken by people at risk for HIV. Though each year sees 2.5 million new HIV cases worldwide — including 55,000 in the United States — questions about a vaccine's effectiveness and potential side effects, and fears that it might encourage risky behavior, could be stumbling blocks to widespread acceptance. To address these issues, UCLA and University of Toronto researchers undertook the LA VOICES study. LA VOICES used a unique cross-sectional analysis to determine the acceptability among vuln...

Using 3 TLR ligands as a combination adjuvant induces qualitative changes in T cell responses needed for antiviral protection in mice

Journal of Clinical Investigation — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:14:14 +0100

TLR ligands are promising candidates for the development of novel vaccine adjuvants that can elicit protective immunity against emerging infectious diseases. Adjuvants have been used most frequently to increase the quantity of an immune response. However, the quality of a T cell response can be more important than its quantity. Stimulating certain pairs of TLRs induces a synergistic response in terms of activating dendritic cells and eliciting/enhancing T cell responses through clonal expansion, which increases the number of responding T cells. Here, we have found that utilizing ligands for 3 TLRs (TLR2/6, TLR3, and TLR9) greatly increased the protective efficacy of vaccination with an HIV envelope peptide in mice when compared with using ligands for only any 2 of these TLRs; surprisingly,...

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Antibodies against Man{alpha}1,2-Man{alpha}1,2-Man oligosaccharide structures recognize envelope glycoproteins from HIV-1 and SIV strains

Glycobiology — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:04:02 +0100

Design of an envelope glycoprotein (Env)-based vaccine against human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) is complicated by the large number of N-linked glycans that coat the protein and serve as a barrier to antibody-mediated neutralization. Compared to normal mammalian glycoproteins, high-mannose-type glycans are disproportionately represented on the gp120 subunit of Env. These N-glycans serve as a target for a number of anti-HIV molecules that bind terminal 1,2-linked mannose residues, including lectins and the monoclonal antibody 2G12. We created a Saccharomyces cerevisiae glycosylation mutant, mnn1mnn4, to expose numerous terminal Man1,2-Man residues on endogenous hypermannosylated glycoproteins in the yeast cell wall. Immunization of rabbits with whole cells from this mutant induced...

Experimental Vaccine Reduced TB Rate Among HIV-Positive People In Tanzania, Study Finds

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 12:00:00 +0100

An experimental vaccine was found to reduce the rate of tuberculosis infections in patients living with HIV, "the first time a shot has been shown to reduce cases of the most common AIDS-related cause of death in poor nations," Bloomberg reports (Bennett, 1/29). Tuberculosis accounts for up to one-third of AIDS deaths worldwide, CBC News reports. The study, which was published online Friday in the journal AIDS, found the "MV vaccine reduced the rate of tuberculosis by 39 percent" among study participants, CBC News writes (1/29)... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Experimental Vaccine Reduced TB Rate Among HIV-Positive People In Tanzania, Study Finds

Transplants / Organ Donations News From Medical News Today — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 12:00:00 +0100

An experimental vaccine was found to reduce the rate of tuberculosis infections in patients living with HIV, "the first time a shot has been shown to reduce cases of the most common AIDS-related cause of death in poor nations," Bloomberg reports (Bennett, 1/29). Tuberculosis accounts for up to one-third of AIDS deaths worldwide, CBC News reports... (Source: Transplants / Organ Donations News From Medical News Today)

Billion Dollar Market For Malaria Vaccine Products Should Interest Drug Developers

Pharmaceutical Online News — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 06:15:00 +0100

With increased attention on finding a cure for the scourge of malaria, recently highlighted by the announcement of a large research and development grant from the Bill Gates Foundation, and with several candidates already in the pipeline, there could be a $1B market for malaria vaccine products by 2017, according to healthcare market research publisher Kalorama Information, which recently published a survey of emerging vaccine products titled: "What's Next in Vaccines? HIV, Malaria, Rabies, MRSA, and 30 Other Vaccine Targets in the 2010-2020 Pipeline." (Source: Pharmaceutical Online News)

Vaccine may prevent TB in HIV patients

Health News - UPI.com — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:18:07 +0100

HANOVER, N.H., Feb. 1 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers have conducted a phase III clinical trial of a vaccine against tuberculosis for those with human immunodeficiency virus. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

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High Rates of Recurrence in HIV‐Infected and HIV‐Uninfected Patients with Tuberculosis

The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:38:58 +0100

Conclusions. Tuberculosis recurrence rates, likely due to reinfection, were much higher than incidence rates. The findings suggest heterogeneity in susceptibility, implying that a vaccine could still provide useful protection in the population and strengthening the case for secondary preventive therapy. (Source: The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

Clinical Trial Proves New Vaccine Effective In Preventing TB In African Patients With HIV Infection

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Clinical Trial Proves New Vaccine Effective In Preventing TB In African Patients With HIV Infection

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Investigators from Dartmouth Medical School (DMS) have reported results of a clinical trial showing that a new vaccine against tuberculosis, Mycobacterium vaccae (MV), is effective in preventing tuberculosis in people with HIV infection. The DarDar Health Study, named for Dartmouth and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, found that MV immunization reduced the rate of definite tuberculosis by 39 percent among 2,000 HIV-infected patients in Tanzania. The study appears in the January 29, 2010 online issue of the journal AIDS, and it will be published in the March print issue of AIDS... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Potent adaptive immune responses induced against HIV-1 gp140 and influenza virus HA by a polyanionic carbomer.

Vaccine — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Krashias G, Simon K, Wegmann F, Kok WL, Ho LP, Stevens D, Skehel J, Heeney JL, Moghaddam AE, Sattentau QJ Carbopol is a polyanionic carbomer gel used in man for a variety of topical applications and drug delivery purposes. Here we show that subcutaneous administration of carbopol with glycoprotein antigens elicits unusually strong specific adaptive immune responses in mice. Recombinant soluble HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env)-based antigen formulated in carbopol was at least as potent at stimulating Env-specific B and T cell responses as Freund's Complete Adjuvant, and significantly more potent than aluminium salts. The antigen-specific T cell immune response elicited both Th1 and Th2 cytokines including high titers of IFN-gamma, IL-2 and IL-4, and drove a Th1 isotype-switche...