Human Cytomegalovirus Enhances Placental Susceptibility and Replication of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1), Which May Facilitate In Utero HIV-1 Transmission.

Several co-pathogens that pose threats to the fetus during gestation, including human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), may also contribute to mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Within endemic settings, associations between maternal HCMV viral load and increased incidence of MTCT of HIV-1 are documented; however, the mechanisms that promote transmission are poorly characterized. Here we demonstrate that HCMV coinfection enhances susceptibility and viral replication of HIV-1 in placental macrophages (Hofbauer cells) in vitro.

Improving HIV Surveillance Data for Public Health Action in Washington, DC: A Novel Multiorganizational Data-Sharing Method.

Background: The National HIV/AIDS Strategy calls for active surveillance programs for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to more accurately measure access to and retention in care across the HIV care continuum for persons living with HIV within their jurisdictions and to identify persons who may need public health services. However, traditional public health surveillance methods face substantial technological and privacy-related barriers to data sharing.

Objective: This study developed a novel data-sharing approach to improve the timeliness and quality of HIV surveillance data in three jurisdictions where persons may often travel across the borders of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia.

Results of a Community Randomized Study of a Faith-Based Education Program to Improve Clinical Trial Participation among African Americans.

This is a report of a cluster randomized clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of a church-based educational intervention aimed at improving African Americans' (AA) participation in clinical trials. Two hundred and twenty-one AA subjects ages ≥50 years from six predominantly AA churches were randomized to intervention or control condition. The intervention included three educational sessions about clinical trials and health disparities; control participants completed questionnaires.

Delivering a "dose of hope": a faith-based program to increase older african americans' participation in clinical trials.

Background: Underrepresentation of older-age racial and ethnic minorities in clinical research is a significant barrier to health in the United States, as it impedes medical research advancement of effective preventive and therapeutic strategies.

Objective: The objective of the study was to develop and test the feasibility of a community-developed faith-based intervention and evaluate its potential to increase the number of older African Americans in clinical research.

Methods: Using a cluster-randomized design, we worked with six matched churches to enroll at least 210 persons.

Factors associated with seasonal influenza immunization among church-going older African Americans.

Objectives: Churches and faith institutions can frequently influence health behaviors among older African Americans. The church is a centerpiece of spiritual and social life among African American congregants. We explored its influence on influenza immunization coverage during the 2012-2013 influenza season.