HIV ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT

Aids Patient Care and Stds, 1998

Health Care Analysis, 1997

The current approach for dealing with the global AIDS pandemic focuses on technology, particularly pharmaceuticals. However, most of the world's PLWHA (people living with HIV/AIDS) have little or no access to these expensive treatments. Additionally, such technologies have not proven themselves adequate in addressing AIDS in global terms. When the health of communities is prioritised, rather,_than the interests of pharmaceutical companies and biomedicine, alternative strategies and policies can be considered. These strategies include seriously investigating traditional medicines in other cultures, rather than adopting an uncritical assumption that the biomedical approach is preferable. The limited research available suggests that some alternative treatments could indeed turn out to be useful in treating HI'V/AIDS. However, without Western support for rigorous evaluation and development of local alternative therapies, the potential of these treatments for HIV/AIDS will continue to be dismissed. Additionally, the rights of communities to self-determination, and PLWHA to the best possible primary health care, whether in rich or poorer nations, will also be diminished.

Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS care, 2003

This study examined the prevalence and factors associated with alternative therapy use in an ethnically diverse, gender-balanced sample of persons living with HIV/AIDS. More than two thirds (67%) of the participants who were taking HIV-related medications were also taking an alternative supplement. Half of the sample (50%) reported that they took one or more multivitamins, 17% reported using mineral supplements, 12% reported using Chinese herbs, and 12% reported using botanicals. Substantial proportions of the sample also reported using acupuncture (31%), massage (23%), and meditation (28%) to specifically treat HIVrelated symptoms. Women were four times more likely to use alternative therapies than men. Also, Caucasians were nearly four times more likely to use alternative treatments compared to other ethnic groups. The results of this study indicate a strong need to assess individual patients' use of alternative treatment approaches as well as to further investigate their efficacy among HIV-positive patients.

Spatula Dd Peer Reviewed Journal on Complementary Medicine and Drug Discovery, 2013

Science (New York, N.Y.), 2002

Jon Cohen's article “Confronting the limits of success”(News Focus, 28 June, p. 2320), which discusses the limits of antiretroviral therapy (ARV) in managing HIV disease, overlooks an important area of research. People with access to ARV have been using a variety of ...

2019

The three parts of this thesis are as follows: 1) A comparative pre-phase I study exploring the impact of volume of microbicide gel vehicle on distribution through the distal colon, user experience, and acceptability (Section II); 2) An analysis of the colorectal distribution of lymphocytes and cell-free HIV surrogate in autologous seminal plasma following simulated anal intercourse (Section III); and 3) A survey study exploring the interest of U.S. youth living with HIV in long-acting injectable antiretrovirals (Section IV). Section II: Methods: Eight HIV negative men with a history of recent RAI were enrolled into a twoperiod, sequence randomized, dosing study comparing 3.5 mL and 10 mL of radiolabeled (1 mCi 99m Tc-DTPA) universal placebo hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) gel. Each participant received two doses in the research unit, one of each volume, separated by a washout period of at least 2 weeks. Each research unit dose was followed by a self-administered take-home dose. Safety and gastrointestinal distribution were assessed after the research unit doses; safety, perceptibility, and acceptability were assessed after take-home doses. Results: There were no adverse effects of Grade 2 or higher and all resolved spontaneously. Both volumes were well tolerated and received high acceptability scores. The 3.5 mL and 10 mL gel volumes distributed similarly (p>0.2) within the rectosigmoid. Both volumes covered the typical gastrointestinal distribution of ejaculate following simulated intercourse based on other studies. Conclusion: Either of these gel volumes could reasonably be pursued for the next phase of development of rectal microbicides. Section III: Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the luminal distribution and clearance of cell-associated (lymphocytes) and cell-free (seminal plasma) HIV surrogates within the distal colon following simulated receptive anal intercourse. Methods: Six healthy, HIVuninfected men gave semen samples in sterile containers. Samples were centrifuged and the supernatant (seminal plasma) collected and frozen. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were harvested iii from subjects via apheresis and labeled with 111 Indium (In)-oxine on the dosing day. 111 In-labeled autologous lymphocytes and 99 Technetium (Tc)-sulfur colloid (HIV surrogate) were reconstituted with 3 mL of autologous seminal plasma. Reconstituted seminal plasma was inserted into the rectum using a phallic device with artificial urethra. Distribution of radiolabels in time and space was assessed with SPECT/CT at 3 timepoints. Analysis of radiolabel distribution was performed using a flexible principal curve algorithm in R. Pharmacokinetic distance parameters were defined. Results: Median (interquartile range (IQR)) PK distance paarameters for cell-associated (In) and cell-free (Tc) HIV surrogate were described; distribution was similar between cell-free and cellassociated HIV surrogate. Conclusions: Both autologous lymphocytes and HIV surrogate particle in seminal plasma distribute to a maximal distance of around 15 cm from the anorectal junction (which is ~19 cm from the anal verge), with a maximal signal intensity around 6 cm from the anorectal junction. This represents and maps the ideal target distribution for rectal microbicides. Section IV: Objectives: This study aimed to characterize attitudes to long-acting antiretrovirals (LAARV), among youth aged 13 to 24 years living with perinatally-and non-perinatally-acquired HIV (PHIV and NPHIV, respectively). Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 303 Youth Living with HIV (YHIV) followed at four pediatric/adolescent HIV clinics in the USA was performed. Findings: Overall, 88% of YHIV reported probable or definite willingness to use LAARV. The enthusiasm level was similar between PHIV and NPHIV youth (p=0.93). Youth with HIV viral load >1000 copies/mL had significantly higher interest than youth with suppressed viral load (PR 1.12 [95% CI: 1.03-1.20]; p= 0.005). Proportion of respondents endorsing definite willingness to use was significantly higher with decreased injection frequency compared to increased injection frequency. Conclusions: YHIV at four urban US pediatric/adolescent HIV clinics had high levels of enthusiasm for LAARV. LAARV should be given high priority as a potentially viable treatment option to improve clinical outcomes in YHIV.

2006

During the last decade several advances in understanding and management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have resulted in optimism among clinicians and hope for patients. Research into areas of viral pathogenesis has made a direct impact on the clinical management of HIV-infected patients and has led to the development of new and more potent antiviral agents, regimens, and approaches to antiretroviral therapy (ART). These highly active antiretroviral therapies (HAART) have dramatically altered the natural progression of infection and significantly improved the quality of life for many HIV-infected patients 1. As a result there has been a substantial decline in reported number of AIDS-related opportunistic infections and deaths 2,3. Despite these remarkable advances, several concerns should be addressed. Although many will benefit from new and potent regimens, up to 50% of patients show treatment failure 4 , and approximately 40% change therapeutic regimens during the first year because of drug-related adverse events 5. The development of drug resistance, long-term toxicities, patient compliance, the management of HAART failures, and the method to control and prevent the spread of HIV are major challenges. Hope for a cure for HIV infection was dampened by the discovery of a latent form of the virus that persists within the resting CD 4 cells 6 , perhaps as a result of survival advantage to T-cell from anti HIVgenes 7 .

Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, 1997

2016

HIV or AIDS is a major threat for humanity in the world especially in developing countries. The causative factor of the syndrome is HIV which infects and destroys one of the cellular components of the immune system the T cells causing deficiency in the immunological surveillance and ultimately leading to AIDS. According to WHO around 35 million people were living with HIV in 2013 and since the start of epidemic 39 million people have died due to AIDS. Center for disease control and prevention estimated in 2014 that 1201100 people aged 13 and above were suffering from HIV infection Worldwide. The most effective approach is the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) containing the combined use of drugs having different mechanisms of action. However complete eradication of HIV from the body does not occur by HAART but it lead to long term toxicity occurs and emerges as drug resistant. Despite the recent development of various new antiretroviral compounds there is still a need to ...