Mortality rates fell sharply among people receiving antiretroviral therapy in China between 2003 and 2009, investigators report in the online edition of the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. Overall, people were about 30% less likely to die in the period 2008-09 compared to 2003-04. However, mortality rates were still well in excess of those

AZT-based antiretroviral therapy is associated with lower increases in CD4 cell counts than other HIV treatment regimens, according to a study published in the online edition of AIDS. Investigators analysed immunological outcomes in over 72,000 people starting first-line treatment in southern Africa. People taking AZT (zidovudine, Retrovir and various generic versions) had significantly lower

Seventy per cent of Italian HIV specialists who answered an online survey would prescribe pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to people in their care who ask for it, at least in some circumstances, a study has found. The survey uncovered considerable training needs around PrEP. Most specialists described their knowledge of PrEP as “not detailed”. Most said they

Caseworkers helped 50% of HIV-positive people in New York City who had dropped out of care re-engage with HIV medical care, investigators report in the online edition of AIDS. Feeling well was the main reason why these people had initially disengaged from care. Named-based HIV surveillance data and clinical records were used to identify

Limited partner choice, wider age gaps between partners, and mistaken beliefs about HIV status in regular partners are all driving the substantially higher rates of HIV in US black gay men relative to other ethnicities, a recent study suggests. The study also found that higher rates of HIV in black gay men were not