Short communication: Methamphetamine treatment increases in vitro and in vivo HIV replication.

To delineate the mechanistic basis for the epidemiological association between methamphetamine use and accelerated progression to AIDS, we evaluated the direct in vitro and in vivo effects of methamphetamine on HIV-1 replication. Methamphetamine administration significantly increased HIV-1 production by both HIV-infected monocytes and CD4 T lymphocytes in vitro. In addition, in vivo methamphetamine treatment increased HIV production and viremia in mice transgenic for a replication-competent HIV provirus and human cyclin T1.

Prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus infections in children infected with HIV.

We evaluated the prevalence and transmission mode of hepatitis B and C in an inner-city, pediatric cohort of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons, as well as the demographic characteristics of the cohort. Hepatitis B or C was found in 13 (5.8%) of 228 children.