Prophylaxis News and Research

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Study identifies broadly neutralizing antibody panel against SARS-like viruses

A recent study describes 40 broadly neutralizing antibodies from two individuals with a history of COVID-19 who were recently immunized against the virus.

13 Sep 2021

Discovery of diverse sarbecovirus broadly neutralizing antibodies from SARS-CoV-2 “infected-vaccinated” humans

Scientists were inspired by the robust serum nAb responses in people who recovered from natural SARS-CoV-2 infection and were later vaccinated using mRNA vaccine. They isolated and characterized bnAbs from two COVID-19 convalescent donors who were recently vaccinated. These isolated bnAbs were found to be highly potent against sarbecoviruses. This research is available on the bioRxiv* preprint server.

13 Sep 2021

Post-exposure prophylaxis with monoclonal antibodies may reduce health system burden in the US

In a study conducted at the University of Washington, USA, the researchers assert that post-exposure prophylaxis with monoclonal antibodies could improve the clinical outcomes and health system costs regarding coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The study is currently available on the medRxiv* preprint server.

6 Sep 2021

Study shows bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccine can protect mice against lethal SARS-CoV-2 challenge

A recent US study, currently available on bioRxiv* preprint server, implies that vaccination with bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) can limit the infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by targeting innate immune pathways and could thus be used as a platform for pinpointing early immunologic events affecting the outcome of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

1 Sep 2021

Investigational vaccine does not provide sufficient protection against HIV infection

An investigational HIV vaccine tested in the "Imbokodo" clinical trial conducted in sub-Saharan Africa posed no safety concerns but did not provide sufficient protection against HIV infection, according to a primary analysis of the study data. The Phase 2b proof-of-concept study, which began in November 2017, enrolled 2,637 women ages 18 to 35 years from five countries.

31 Aug 2021

New evidence provides strong support for the halt on prescribing hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19

In 2021, in the United States alone, there have been more than 560,000 prescriptions of hydroxychloroquine for the prevention, post-exposure and treatment of COVID-19.

31 Aug 2021

Certain high priority groups more likely to stop taking HIV prevention treatment, study finds

A large, detailed look at patients taking HIV-prevention drug therapy finds strong adherence soon after patients get the prescription, but less consistent use thereafter, particularly among groups considered high priority for receiving the medication.

27 Aug 2021

Compounds from medicinal mushrooms may be our future weapon against SARS-CoV-2

Certain steroid-like compounds from Taiwan's endemic medicinal mushrooms (known as antcins) may inhibit a host cell receptor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and, thus, prevent viral infection and subsequent development of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), reports a new study published in the MDPI's journal Plants.

24 Aug 2021

Clinical discussions on diet-associated NAFLD and COVID-19 mortality risk among PPI users

The August issue of The American Journal of Gastroenterology includes clinical discussions of diet-associated NAFLD risk and increased risk of mortality from COVID-19 among PPI users.

16 Aug 2021

Study finds worsening disparities among states in use of HIV-prevention drugs

States with low initial use of HIV-prevention drugs are continuing to fall behind in usage among people at risk for the disease, a new study finds.

12 Aug 2021

Report highlights global shortfalls to end HIV infections among children and young women

In the final report from the Start Free, Stay Free, AIDS Free initiative, UNAIDS and partners warn that progress towards ending AIDS among children, adolescents and young women has stalled and none of the targets for 2020 were met.

23 Jul 2021

Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 by bentonite-based nasal spray

Therefore, the nose is an important target for prophylaxis and also for therapy. In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, Fabio Fais et al. developed a safe and easy-to-use nasal spray, AM-301, a medical device marketed as Bentrio, to protect against infection by SARS-CoV-2 and potentially other viruses.

19 Jul 2021

Study: Adolescent girls and young women can and will use HIV prevention products with consistency

Adolescent girls and young women can and will use HIV prevention products with consistency, according to interim results of a study of two different methods: daily use of the antiretroviral (ARV) tablet Truvada as oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and the monthly dapivirine vaginal ring, a new HIV prevention product currently under regulatory review in several countries.

15 Jul 2021

Varenicline blocks SARS-CoV-2 infection in cells and animal models

A new paper released on the bioRxiv* preprint server suggests that the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nACHR) agonist, varenicline tartrate, has antiviral activity against the virus.

5 Jul 2021

An oral pill for COVID-19? Molnupiravir shows promise

Recently, researchers reported molnupiravir as the first oral and direct-acting antiviral that is highly effective at reducing SARS-CoV-2 levels.

27 Jun 2021

A new guide for cancer-associated thrombosis

Ever since the association between cancer and thrombosis was reported by Jean-Baptiste Bouillaud in the early 19th century, cancer-associated thrombosis has remained a challenging domain of cancer management.

24 Jun 2021

Deep learning could transform the ability to accurately interpret HIV test results

Pioneering technology developed by UCL and Africa Health Research Institute researchers could transform the ability to accurately interpret HIV test results, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

18 Jun 2021

Elimination of HIV transmission by 2030 might be within reach among MSM in England

The annual number of new HIV infections among men who have sex with men (MSM) in England is likely to have fallen dramatically, from 2,770 in 2013 to 854 in 2018, showing elimination of HIV transmission by 2030 to be within reach - suggests work by researchers from the MRC Biostatistics Unit at the University of Cambridge and Public Health England (PHE), published in The Lancet HIV.

10 Jun 2021

Clinical trial investigates effectiveness of delivering HIV, substance use care through mobile clinics

A clinical trial is underway in five U.S. cities to determine whether delivering integrated health services through mobile clinics can improve HIV and substance use outcomes among people with opioid use disorder who inject drugs.

9 Jun 2021

Experimental monoclonal antibody could be a new weapon against HIV epidemic

An experimental, lab-made antibody can completely prevent nonhuman primates from being infected with the monkey form of HIV, new research published in Nature Communications shows.

7 Jun 2021