SciDev.Net

An HIV vaccine component may have accidentally triggered an immune response that made people more vulnerable to infection, say scientists.

Scientists have used a 'gun' that delivers a vaccine and an electrical impulse to improve the effectiveness of a DNA vaccine for HIV.

The Thailand HIV vaccine trial reveals the human body's fighting response to the virus, a conference has heard, but many questions remain.

Although 87.5 per cent of young HIV-infected Haitians know how to prevent disease spread, their behaviour is frequently risky, says a study.

An experimental HIV vaccine trialled in Thailand has reduced infection rates for the first time, by almost a third.

South African researchers are probing the AIDS-fighting potential of local plants, signalling a new alliance with healers.

Researchers have shown that there is a high prevalence of resistance against antiretrovirals in HIV patients in Honduras.

A gel that turns to a semisolid in the presence of semen shows promise as a barrier against HIV transmission.

Starting antiretroviral therapy when the immune system is not severely compromised reduces mortality, says a Haitian study.

Brazil's strategy for tackling HIV/AIDS — including the production of generic drugs — is an example to the developing world, say researchers.

Testing is under way for microbicidal gels containing antiretroviral drugs that could inhibit HIV infection.

Tests providing fast, inexpensive ways to assess whether HIV/AIDS patients need treatment made their debut this week.

Africa's first home-grown HIV vaccines have started early-stage clinical trials in South Africa and the United States.

Despite national prevention programmes, a study has found that shared syringes are the most common mode of HIV transmission in Puerto Rico.

A simple HIV test could remove the obstacles to treating HIV-positive babies in their first year, say scientists.

A microbicide has shown promise in the lab and can be produced in plants — a double blow toHIV in the developing world, scientists say.

A pilot programme aiming to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV has reduced infection in babies from 27 to nine per cent.

South Africa's University of KwaZulu-Natal will be home to a new HIV/TB research hub focused on combatting the dual infection.

Venezuelan scientists have shown that although HIV/AIDS subtype B is still predominant in the Americas, other variants have been increasing in frequency.

A quarter of TB deaths occur in HIV patients, says the WHO — double the previous estimate.