Reflections on 40 Years of AIDS.

June 2021 marks the 40th anniversary of the first description of AIDS. On the 30th anniversary, we defined priorities as improving use of existing interventions, clarifying optimal use of HIV testing and antiretroviral therapy for prevention and treatment, continuing research, and ensuring sustainability of the response. Despite scientific and programmatic progress, the end of AIDS is not in sight.

1970s and 'Patient 0' HIV-1 genomes illuminate early HIV/AIDS history in North America.

The emergence of HIV-1 group M subtype B in North American men who have sex with men was a key turning point in the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Phylogenetic studies have suggested cryptic subtype B circulation in the United States (US) throughout the 1970s and an even older presence in the Caribbean. However, these temporal and geographical inferences, based upon partial HIV-1 genomes that postdate the recognition of AIDS in 1981, remain contentious and the earliest movements of the virus within the US are unknown.

Heterosexual behaviours among men who sell sex to men in coastal Kenya.

Objective: African men who have sex with men often sell sex to men, and MSM who sell sex (MSM-SW) often also have female partners. We compared sexual risk behaviour of MSM-SW who were sexually active with female partners (bisexual MSW) to MSM-SW with only male partners (exclusive MSW).

Design: Descriptive behavioural study

Methods: : A novel, validated daily event and partner diary self-completed by 82 MSM who sold sex over a follow-up period of 42 days with weekly review.

Potentially preventable deaths from the five leading causes of death--United States, 2008-2010.

In 2010, the top five causes of death in the United States were 1) diseases of the heart, 2) cancer, 3) chronic lower respiratory diseases, 4) cerebrovascular diseases (stroke), and 5) unintentional injuries. The rates of death from each cause vary greatly across the 50 states and the District of Columbia (2). An understanding of state differences in death rates for the leading causes might help state health officials establish disease prevention goals, priorities, and strategies.

The evolving epidemiology of HIV/AIDS.

Following its recognition in 1981, the HIV/AIDS epidemic has evolved to become the greatest challenge in global health, with some 34 million persons living with HIV worldwide. Early epidemiologic studies identified the major transmission routes of the virus before it was discovered, and enabled the implementation of prevention strategies. Although the first identified cases were in MSM in the United States and western Europe, the greatest impact of the epidemic has been in sub-Saharan Africa, where most of the transmission occurs between heterosexuals.

Reflections on 30 years of AIDS.

June 2011 marks the 30th anniversary of the first description of what became known as HIV/AIDS, now one of history's worst pandemics. The basic public health tools of surveillance and epidemiologic investigation helped define the epidemic and led to initial prevention recommendations. Features of the epidemic, including the zoonotic origin of HIV and its spread through global travel, are central to the concept of emerging infectious diseases.

Immune reconstitution and risk of Kaposi sarcoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma in HIV-infected adults.

Objective: Given the well documented occurrence of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) in HIV-infected patients who recently started combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), we examined whether cART initiation increased the risk of Kaposi sarcoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) using data from the Concerted Action on SeroConversion to AIDS and Death in Europe (CASCADE) collaboration.

Design: A nested matched case-control study design was used to assess the effects of individual CD4 cell trajectories and exposure to cART close to the time of cancer diagnosis.

Methods: Cases were patients diagnosed with either cancer during follow-up with a minimum of two consecutive CD4 cell readings within the year preceding diagnosis.

Exploring the condom gap: is supply or demand the limiting factor - condom access and use in an urban and a rural setting in Kilifi district, Kenya.

Objective: to explore the extent of the condom gap, investigating the relative roles of supply-side and demand-side factors in determining condom use.

Design: GPS mapping of condom outlets, and population-based survey.

Methods: an urban and a rural site were selected within the Epidemiological and Demographic Surveillance Site in Kilifi district, Kenya.

Impact of infection with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV) on the risk of cancer among children in Malawi - preliminary findings.

Background: The impact of infection with HIV on the risk of cancer in children is uncertain, particularly for those living in sub-Saharan Africa. In an ongoing study in a paediatric oncology centre in Malawi, children (aged View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Men who have sex with men and HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.

Globally, men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to bear a high burden of HIV infection. In sub-Saharan Africa, same-sex behaviours have been largely neglected by HIV research up to now. The results from recent studies, however, indicate the widespread existence of MSM groups across Africa, and high rates of HIV infection, HIV risk behaviour, and evidence of behavioural links between MSM and heterosexual networks have been reported.

Human herpesvirus 8 presence and viral load are associated with the progression of AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma.

Objective: We present the largest longitudinal study to date that examines the association between Kaposi's Sarcoma (KS) disease progression and the presence and viral load of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8).

Methods: Ninety-six men were enrolled at HIV clinics in Atlanta, Georgia, who had KS (n = 47) or were without KS but seropositive for HHV-8. Visits occurred at 6-month intervals for 2 years at which the patient's KS status was evaluated and oral fluid and blood were collected for quantification of HHV-8 DNA and antibodies.

Recombinant viruses and early global HIV-1 epidemic.

Central Africa was the epicenter of the HIV type 1 (HIV-1) pandemic. Understanding the early epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly Zaire, could provide insight into how HIV evolved and assist vaccine design and intervention efforts. Using enzyme immunosorbent assays, we tested 3,988 serum samples collected in Kinshasa in the mid-1980s and confirmed seroreactivity by Western blot.

Repeated measures study of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) DNA and antibodies in men seropositive for both HHV-8 and HIV.

Objective: To study the natural history and pathogenesis of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infection in HHV-8-seropositive, immunosuppressed men.

Design: Longitudinal study of 87 HHV-8- and HIV-seropositive men [42 with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS)] during four visits over a 2 month period.

Methods: : Patients provided oral fluid and blood.

U.S. Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 epidemic: date of origin, population history, and characterization of early strains.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 subtype B sequences (whole envelope and the p17 region of gag) were obtained from peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples collected in 1981 from seven HIV-infected U.S. individuals and in 1982 from one infected Canadian resident.