Monday, 18 March 2019

Sorely Confused: Differences Between Cold Sores, Canker Sores, and Chancres

Sorely Confused: Differences Between Cold Sores, Canker Sores, and Chancres
People can experience an array of sores on their mouths and their genitals. Three of these types of sore are, by virtue of their name and location, frequently confused: canker sores, the cold sores caused by oral herpes, and chancre sores caused by syphilis.
The last two names are particularly confusing, as chancre rhymes withcanker. Sometimes people aren't certain exactly what their doctor has said. You should always ask your doctor to clarify, but understanding the differences between the three is also helpful. As a quick primer:
  • Cold sores are mouth sores caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV)
  • Chancres are sores caused by syphilis, they can appear on the mouth or genitals
  • Canker sore are apthous ulcers that occur in the mouth. They're not caused by an infection, and they can not be transmitted to partners. Their appearance is similar to the cold sores caused by HSV. 
You can learn more about all these sores below. 

Mouth Sores and Oral STDs

The sores found on the face and mouth are the ones that are usually confused by name. Although chancres can occur on the genitals, cold sores and canker sores are restricted to the face. (Strictly speaking, cold sores are the same as genital herpes sores. However, they are not referred to as cold sores when they are on the genitals.)
Only chancres and cold sores are sexually transmitted and contagious. They are caused by syphilis and herpes, respectively. Canker sores are benign mouth ulcers. They are not contagious. They may be associated with contagious infections, if those infections lead to immune problems.
If you have a strange sore on or around your mouth, talk to your doctor or dentist. They will most likely be able to diagnose the type of sore by looking at it or testing it. Then they can determine how and if the sore should be treated.
If you are uncertain what type of sore you have, it makes sense to be cautious during intimacy with a sexual partner. Several types of sores can be transmitted through kissing and oral sex. Indeed, some of the diseases that can cause these sores may be transmitted even when sores aren't visible.
Practicing safer oral sex can reduce the risk of STD transmission. It may also be possible to reduce the risk of transmitting oral STDs by using disinfectant mouthwash. However, that research is still in its early phases.

Chancre Sores Are Caused by Syphilis

Male syphilis, illustration
A chancre is a round, usually painless, sore. Chancres are the first stage of a syphilis infection. Primary syphilis chancre sores are most often found on the genitals. They can also be found on the anus, mouth, lips, tongue, tonsils, fingers, breasts, and nipples.
Chancre sores are not commonly found on the face, although they can be. However, the similarity in names between canker sores and chancre has been known to confuse more than a few people. Fortunately, chancres are most commonly referred to as chancres and not chancre sores.
Because chancres are painless, they often go unnoticed. This means that, without testing, some people can be infected with syphilis for a long time before they notice any symptoms. This is particularly true when chancres occur within the mouth. Chancres in the mouth are one reason that transmission through oral sex has made a significant contribution to the syphilis epidemic over the past few years.
Unlike cold sores and canker sores, a chancre is usually painless. These sores are caused by syphilis. Syphilis can be treated with antibiotics.

Cold Sores Are Caused by Herpes

Girl with cold sore
Cold sores, or fever blisters, are caused by a herpes virus. These small painful blisters are most often found around the lips. They usually break open, crust over, and heal over the period of a week to 10 days. Cold sores are usually caused by HSV-1. This is the type of herpes virus most often associated with oral herpes. They can also be caused by HSV-2, which is more often associated with genital herpes.
Both types of herpes virus are extremely contagious. This is especially when active lesions are present, although herpes can be transmitted when there are no sores. Herpes can be transmitted by casual as well as sexual contact.
Friendly kissing puts you at risk of cold sores. It's not just anal, vaginal, and oral sex. Herpes transmission may also be associated with exposure to infected objects such as eating utensils and razors.
Herpes sores of the genitals are not usually called cold sores. That's true even though they're the same sores that appear on the face. Neither canker sores or chancre sores (chancres) are caused by herpes.

Canker Sores Are Not an STD

Multiple canker sores in a person with HIV.
Canker sores are ulcers that occur in the soft tissues inside your mouth. They are associated with various nutritional and immune deficiencies. Unlike cold sores, canker sores are not STDs. They are neither contagious nor sexually transmitted. They are, however, more common in individuals with acute HIV infection. That's because of HIV's negative effects on the immune system.
Canker sores are also known as aphthous ulcers. They are usually round white sores with a red border and can remain painful for several days. They generally heal within one to three weeks. Most canker sores do not need treatment. However, serious sores should be looked at.
If you have a canker sore that is particularly large, uncontrollably painful, lasts longer than three weeks, or accompanied by a high fever, seek the attention of a healthcare practitioner.
Frequent canker sores may suggest that you are dealing with other health problems. For example, you may not be getting enough of certain nutrients in your diet. You might also have a health problem that affects your immune system—such as HIV. Untreated HIV infection also increases the risk of other mouth sores, including chancres and cold sores.
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Canker Sores

Canker Sores

Recurrent canker sores afflict about 20 percent of the general population. The medical term for the sores is aphthous stomatitis.

Canker sores are usually found on the movable parts of the mouth such as the tongue or the inside linings of the lips and cheeks. They begin as small oval or round reddish swellings, which usually burst within a day. The ruptured sores are covered by a thin white or yellow membrane and edged by a red halo. Generally, they heal within 2 weeks. Canker sores range in size from an eighth of an inch wide in mild cases to more than an inch wide in severe cases. Severe canker sores may leave scars. Fever is rare, and the sores are rarely associated with other diseases. Usually a person will have only one or a few canker sores at a time.
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Saturday, 5 December 2015

Attention Smokers: You Can Flush Nicotine Out of Your Body Naturally!

Attention Smokers: You Can Flush Nicotine Out of Your Body Naturally!
Nicotine is a powerful stimulant that produces a euphoric feeling with early use, compelling many people to keep reaching for a smoke or two.
The main folly of nicotine is that it’s addictive. Over time, the euphoric feeling becomes a thing of the past and the body’s craving for the addictive chemical takes over.
It’s well-known that smoking makes you susceptible to countless health issues and quitting the habit is a very difficult challenge.
Nicotine is found in e-cigarettes as well as traditional cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco. Getting the substance out of your body is key to successfully breaking the addiction.


 Nicotine & Health
Tobacco consumption accounts for about 6 million deaths per year, and current trends indicate that it may escalate to an annual death rate of 8 million by 2030, according to the World Health Organization.
Nicotine is linked to many life-threatening health issues, including various types of cancer.
The substance not only causes lung cancer but is also a leading cause of treatment failure and low survival rates in patients, according to a 2013 study published in the Journal of Carcinogenesis.
It increases the risk of gastrointestinal cancers in long-term smokers, according to a 2012 study published in Translational Gastrointestinal Cancers.
Nicotine also interacts with certain receptor proteins in the body to promote breast cancer cell-development in smokers, according to a 2011 study published in Breast Cancer Research.
Furthermore, nicotine reduces blood flow to the coronary vessels responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to the heart. This is a major cause of heart disease in smokers.
Nicotine abuse may also cause certain eye diseases, autoimmune diseases (like rheumatoid arthritis), tuberculosis and chronic kidney disease.
It can cause erectile dysfunction in men and irregular menstruation and infertility in women. In pregnant women, it can have adverse effects on the fetus.
Nicotine Retention in the Body
A saliva test is the most accurate test to determine how long nicotine stays in the body. On average, nicotine stays in the blood for at least 10 hours and up to 2 to 4 days.
The length of time varies depending on the amount of tobacco smoked, the number of years smoking tobacco, and the person’s age and overall health.
Nicotine Detoxification – The Natural Way
Detoxifying your body of nicotine will help you break your addiction and reduce your risk of contracting fatal diseases, improve your lung capacity and boost your overall respiratory health.
Here are some natural ways you can flush nicotine out of your body.

1. Ease Into Quitting

stop smoking
One of the biggest mistakes smokers make when trying to quit is going “cold turkey”.
Giving up a long-term addiction all at once might prove counterproductive, as it will induce cravings that only intensify with time. When this happens, you run a risk of reaching a breaking point and resuming your old habit.
Therefore, you are better advised to taper the quantity of cigarettes that you smoke. If you cut back by half every few hours, you should be on your way to finally eliminating nicotine from your system.

2. Drink Plenty of Water

drinking water
The first step in any detoxification effort is getting your daily water fix.
Although the amount of water you must consume depends on your health, climatic conditions, and how active you are, most people should drink 8 glasses (64 ounces) of water daily.
One of the major ways your body flushes out nicotine is through urine, and what is a better diuretic than water itself? Drinking more water increases urination, thereby speeding up the elimination of nicotine.
Keep in mind, this only works when you resolve to actively limit, and ultimately quit, smoking.
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PROTECT YOUR SKIN, PROTECT YOURSELF.

PROTECT YOUR SKIN, PROTECT YOURSELF.

Skin Protects Us

The skin, along with hair and nails, is the protective covering of the body. In addition, the skin prevents germs from entering the body and damaging internal organs. Skin supports the life of all other body parts and plays a role in maintaining the immune system.
Skin also helps to regulate body temperature through the sweat glands. When the body becomes overheated, sweat glands give off moisture (perspiration), which cools the body as it evaporates. As the body part responsible for the sense of touch, the skin works with the nervous system to alert the body to potential dangers by detecting pressure, pain, heat, and cold.
When exposed to the sun's ultraviolet rays, the skin manufactures Vitamin D, an essential vitamin for healthy skin. Vitamin D promotes the body's absorption of calcium, which is essential for the normal development of healthy teeth and bones.

Skin: The Body's Largest Organ

Skin is the largest organ of the body. It consists of three layers of tissues: the epidermis, the dermis and the subcutaneous layer. The epidermis is the paper-thin outer layer of the skin. The outer layer of the epidermis consists of dead cells that are always flaking or washing off. These are replaced by new cells manufactured in the lower portion of the epidermis, which move upward to the outside of the skin. As they do so, the cells harden and die. This cycle of cell production and replacement takes about 28 days.
The structure of skin
The epidermis also contains melanocytes, the cells that contain melanin — the pigment that gives skin its color. Skin color is determined by the amount of melanin in these cells, not cell number. The more melanin, the darker the skin.
The dermis, the middle layer of the skin, contains blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, sweat glands and oil glands. It makes up about 90 percent of the skin's thickness and is made up of collagen and elastic fibers that give the skin strength and elasticity.
The subcutaneous layer, the deepest layer of skin, is mostly composed of fatty tissue. It also contains blood vessels and nerves. The fat insulates the body from extreme heat and cold and provides a cushion to protect the body from injuries.

Hair & Nails Protect Us, Too

Hair and nails also protect the body. Hair keeps the head warm, while eyebrows and eyelashes protect the eyes from direct light. Hair also serves as a barrier to keep dirt from entering the eyes and nose. It is made up of keratin, a type of non-living protein made by living skin cells. Hair grows out from hair follicles.
Nails are protective structures made of hard keratin, a type of non-living protein made by living skin cells. Their job is to protect the sensitive area of the toes and fingers and to give the fingers and hands a grasping function. Nail cells form at the base of the nail in an area called the nail matrix (the lighter "half moon" on our fingernails).

The Importance of Making Healthy Choices

Your skin reveals to the world how healthy you are - and how old you are. Positive lifestyle behaviors keep you healthy and your skin looking younger. The following lifestyle behaviors can impact the skin:
Alcohol
Body Piercing
Exercise
Hair Products
Hygiene		Nails & Manicures
Nutrition & Water
Perspiration
Seeing Your Dermatologist
Smoking		Stress
Sun Safety & Indoor Tanning
Tattoos

Alcohol

Drinking alcohol enlarges a person's blood vessels, which can temporarily redden or flush the cheeks. When blood vessels are severely damaged by chronic drinking, the palms and soles also become reddened.
Chronic drinkers develop larger oil glands and blood vessels. This process results in the enlargement of the skin's pores, particularly of the nose and chin. Chronic drinking can cause liver disease, including cirrhosis, which changes the skin color to yellow.

Body Piercing

Much of the same advice about tattooing applies to body piercing. Infection is possible if the piercer does not follow proper health procedures, such as washing hands, wearing gloves, disinfecting surfaces, and using a new sterile needle. Infection is also possible if the individual does not care for the hole properly. About 15% of the population is allergic to nickel, a material common in body jewelry. These people may experience rashes as a result of exposure to the metal.
Depending on where jewelry is placed, body piercings can cause problems with speech, eating, hearing and other body functions. For example, body jewelry can be torn out during contact sports. Dentists are particularly concerned about the dangers of tongue piercings. Among the things that can go wrong as a result of tongue piercings are swelling of the tongue that can interfere with breathing, cracked teeth, choking on loosened or unscrewed jewelry, and infection with hepatitis, HIV or bacteria.

Exercise

Exercise contributes to weight maintenance, which helps maintain the smooth appearance of the skin. However, some forms of exercise can also damage the skin. For example, weightlifting to increase muscle size can produce "stretch marks" because of breaks within the connective tissue of the dermis. When a person loses weight too rapidly, his or her existing stretch marks will grow.
Exercise also increases sweating and skin temperature. Infections caused by bacteria and/or fungi may occur if proper hygiene is not performed after exercise. In addition, some clothes and shoes used while exercising can lead to blisters on the hands, feet or body.

Hair Products

Some hair dyes can cause allergic reactions. Be sure to test the dye on a small area of your skin (behind the ear or inside the elbow) and wait 48-72 hours before making a change in your hair color with these products.
Permanent waves can damage the hair, so take care not to perm your hair more often than every three months. If the perming solution is left on too long, is too strong or is applied to hair already damaged by dyes, the hair could break and the scalp could become irritated. Frequent tight braiding or tight ponytails, as well as hair straightening agents, flat irons, curling irons, and hot rollers, can also cause hair loss or broken hair.

Hygiene

Hygiene impacts the health of the skin. A basic hygiene routine includes washing the face in the morning and before bed with soap/cleanser, warm water and a clean wash cloth, taking a shower or bath daily using warm water, soap and a clean wash cloth, cleaning nails, and washing hair regularly (e.g., every 2-3 days).

Nails & Manicures

If you manicure your own nails, be careful not to cut, remove or injure nail cuticles. Their job is to prevent infection and protect nail-forming cells.
Nail polish and nail glue can cause allergic reactions. Use a polish that is labeled "hypoallergenic" and nail polish remover that is acetone-free.
Sculptured nails - those that are custom-made to fit permanently over your natural nails - can cause severe and painful reactions. Doctors recommend that people who wear artificial nails take them off every three months to allow their natural nails to breathe.

Nutrition & Water

Eating a well-balanced diet helps insure that your body gets all the vitamins it needs to maintain healthy skin. The following nutrients help the life of your skin:
  • Vitamin A - Helps maintain healthy, smooth skin and hair
  • Riboflavin (B1) - Helps prevent skin disorders, especially around the nose, lips and mouth
  • Niacin (B3) - Helps prevent skin disorders, especially on parts of the body exposed to the sun
  • Vitamin B6 - Helps prevent skin disorders and cracks around the mouth
  • Vitamin C - Helps in healing of skin
  • Vitamin D - Helps keep skin healthy. (This "sunshine vitamin" is also manufactured by the skin with the help of sunlight.)
  • Water is the most important nutrient we consume. The human body is anywhere from 55 to 75 percent water. Without water, we could not survive. It is recommended that people drink 8 glasses of water a day.

Perspiration

Through the skin's process of sweating, the water we drink helps to cool our bodies in warm weather. When the body gets too warm, water seeps out through the sweat pores of the skin. Sweat evaporates from our skin using heat from the body to turn the liquid into vapor. It is harder for the sweat to evaporate quickly on a humid day, which is why we feel warmer than we do on a dry day at the same temperature.

Smoking

Smokers have more wrinkles around their eyes and mouths, especially since they're continually tightening their lips around cigarettes. Tobacco and cigarettes can cause the skin to turn an unhealthy, unnatural color.
Smoking and chewing tobacco can also hurt the skin through the development of lip cancer, mouth cancer and/or emphysema. When emphysema in the lungs causes shortness of breath, the skin may turn bluer due to lack of oxygen.

Stress

Stress plays a role in skin care, especially because many habits associated with stress hurt the skin. For example, lip biting can tear and damage skin. Rubbing and scratching the skin can cause a skin condition called dermatitis. Picking at the cuticle skin around your nails can also produce infection. Additionally, if you shower with very hot water to relieve stress, your skin may become dry and itchy. Stress can also play a role in the development of various skin ailments.

Sun Safety & Indoor Tanning

Limiting your exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation while protecting your skin is the single most important thing you can do to maintain healthy skin. Please click here to visit our Sun Safety & Indoor Tanning page.

Tattoos

Tattooing has been performed as a decorative art form since ancient times. Today, it is growing in popularity and is also being used as a form of permanent make-up.
Tattooing involves injecting dyes into the skin with multiple injections from one or more needles. It can take several hours to complete a tattoo and the procedure may be painful. It may also cause some bleeding. It takes about 7 to 10 days for the tattoo to heal.
Tattooing received a bad reputation in the past due to tattoo artists who neglected health and safety concerns. This resulted in outbreaks of infectious diseases and banning of the practice in some states and localities.
The two biggest risks in getting a tattoo are allergic responses to the dyes and exposure to bloodborne pathogens. The dyes are made from chemical compounds ranging from metal oxides to synthetic organic dyes. The most common infectious diseases associated with tattoos are atypical mycobacteria and hepatitis B, although hepatitis C and HIV are also possible. Proper disinfection and sterilization procedures must be followed. Someone thinking of getting a tattoo should check with the state or local health department to see which regulations exist in the area, such as a requirement that only new sterile needles be used. Also, check to see if the tattooist has been certified by the Alliance for Professional Tattooists.

Dermatologists report that over 50% of the people who get tattoos eventually seek to have them removed, usually after they have entered the work world. Although tattoos can be removed, the process is very expensive and painful. It may take several months and could result in scarring.
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Ten Bad Breath Remedies

Ten Bad Breath Remedies

Definition

Foul-smelling breath, usually caused by the breakdown of food. Other culprits include poor dental hygiene, dry mouth, disease, infection, tobacco use and severe dieting.
Causes
Most bad breath starts in your mouth, and there are many possible causes that include:
  • Food particles from stinky foods like garlic and onions
  • Smoking
  • Respiratory Infections
  • Acid Reflux
  • Poor Oral Hygiene
Bad breath is an embarrassing issue that can hamper your social life. It is encouraging to know that the problem can often be improved through the consistent use of good oral care along with avoiding the beverages and foods that make it worse. Other bad breath remedies, such as chewing on certain herbs and spices, staying hydrated and abstaining from tobacco, can also make a difference. Knowing what practices help and what practices hurt can enable you to attack the problem head on.
1. Brush Regularly
Brushing removes the sticky film of bacteria from your teeth and gums that can cause bad breath, so do this at least twice a day. Since some odors can be eliminated immediately after a meal, keep a toothbrush at your workplace. Buy a new toothbrush every three or four months, choosing one that has soft bristles. Use a toothpaste such as Colgate® MaxFresh® that removes odor-causing bacteria.
2. Clean Your Tongue
The tongue is often overlooked in oral care, but it can harbor plaque and tiny bits of food. When you brush your teeth, gently sweep the brush across the tongue to remove food and bacteria that can lead to bad breath. If you have a coated tongue, you could benefit from a tongue scraper.
3. Floss Once a Day
Don't forget to floss. Doing this at least once a day will get rid of plaque hiding between the teeth. Flossing is as important as brushing because tiny food particles can become trapped in these areas.
4. Clean Your Dentures and Retainers
Proper oral care includes maintaining the cleanliness of anything within your mouth. Remove your dentures at night and brush them with a dental cleanser. If you use a dental retainer, clean it each time before putting it back in your mouth.
5. Avoid Certain Beverages
Some beverages can cause breath odor. According to Prevention magazine, they include coffee and alcoholic drinks, such as beer, wine and whiskey. They leave behind a residue that sticks to the plaque in your mouth, so each breath you take spews these smells back into the air.
6. Be Aware of Odorous Foods
The odor from strong-tasting cheeses, such as Camembert, Roquefort and blue cheese, can remain in your mouth. Essential oils from garlic, onions and hot peppers can also linger for some time after a meal. Avoiding garlic and onions isn't the greatest option, however, because they are healthy foods, so check the following tip to help alleviate this problem.
7. Use Natural Breath-Fresheners
Some herbs and spices in your kitchen can freshen your breath. Parsley contains chlorophyll, which is a natural deodorizer. Drinking a cup of mint tea or chewing on mint leaves can also help. Another tip is to carry a bag of cloves, anise seeds or fennel to chew on after eating an odor-causing meal.
8. Avoid a Dry Mouth
A dry mouth can cause bad breath, so stay hydrated. You can do this by drinking plenty of water while avoiding soft drinks, coffee and alcohol, all of which dry the mouth. In cases of severe dry mouth, a dentist may prescribe artificial saliva.
9. Don't Smoke or Chew Tobacco
Aside from being harmful to health in many ways, smoking and chewing tobacco can contribute to bad breath. The unpleasant scent of these products remains in the mouth after use. It's best to avoid them completely.
10. Get Regular Dental Cleanings and Checkups
Make appointments for regular dental cleanings and checkups. Discuss your bad breath with your dentist so that he or she can determine whether your issue stems from an oral cause, is a side effect of your medications or is due to a general health condition. When the cause is not due to an issue within your mouth, you may have to consult your doctor.
If you try these bad breath remedies, especially those that contribute to good oral care, the issue will likely improve. They are all easy to practice and can help you overcome bad breath.
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Scientists 'delete' HIV virus from human DNA for the first time

Scientists 'delete' HIV virus from human DNA for the first time
  • Scientists used a DNA-snipping enzyme called Cas9 to cut out the virus
  • The cell's gene repair machinery then takes over, soldering the loose ends of the genome back together – resulting in a virus-free cell 
  • Process could also be a cure for other latent infections, researchers say
  • 'It's an exciting discovery, but not ready to go into the clinic,' said Dr Khalili
Once HIV conquers a human cell, it will stay there forever.
It inserts its deadly genome permanently into its victims' DNA, forcing them to require medical treatment for the rest of their life.
But now, for the first time, researchers in Philadelphia have found a way to completely delete HIV from human cells by ‘snipping’ them out.
For the first time, researchers in Philadelphia have found a way to completely delete the HIV virus (pictured) from human cells by ¿snipping¿ them out. The process could also provide a cure for other latent infections
For the first time, researchers in Philadelphia have found a way to completely delete the HIV virus (pictured) from human cells by ‘snipping’ them out. The process could also provide a cure for other latent infections
The team of Temple University School of Medicine said the breakthrough marks the first successful attempt to eliminate latent HIV-1 virus from human cells – and could be a cure for other latent infections.
‘This is one important step on the path toward a permanent cure for AIDS,' said Kamel Khalili, PhD, Professor and Chair of the Department of Neuroscience at Temple.
'It's an exciting discovery, but it's not yet ready to go into the clinic. It's a proof of concept that we're moving in the right direction,' he added,
In a study published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Dr Khalili and colleagues detail how they created molecular tools to delete the HIV-1 proviral DNA.

HOW THE PROCESS WORKS 

Researchers based the two-part HIV-1 editor on a system that evolved as a bacterial defence mechanism to protect against infection. 
When deployed, a combination of a DNA-snipping enzyme called a nuclease and a targeting strand of RNA called a guide RNA (gRNA) hunt down the viral genome and remove the HIV-1 DNA. 
Dr Khalili's lab engineered a 20-nucleotide strand of gRNA to target the HIV-1 DNA and paired it with a DNA-sniping enzyme called Cas9 and used to edit the human genome.
From there, the cell's gene repair machinery takes over, soldering the loose ends of the genome back together – resulting in virus-free cells. 
When deployed, a combination of a DNA-snipping enzyme called a nuclease and a targeting strand of RNA called a guide RNA (gRNA) hunt down the viral genome and remove the HIV-1 DNA.
From there, the cell's gene repair machinery takes over, soldering the loose ends of the genome back together – resulting in virus-free cells.
'Since HIV-1 is never cleared by the immune system, removal of the virus is required in order to cure the disease,' explained Dr Khalili.
These molecular tools also hold promise as a therapeutic vaccine; cells armed with the nuclease-RNA combination proved impervious to HIV infection.
Worldwide, more than 33 million people have HIV, including more than 1 million in the United States.
Every year, another 50,000 Americans contract the virus, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the UK, around 100,000 people were living with HIV in the UK in 2013. That’s around one person in 665.
Although highly active antiretroviral therapy (Haart) has controlled HIV-1 for infected people in the developed world over the last 15 years, the virus can rage again with any interruption in treatment.
Worldwide, more than 33 million people have HIV, including more than 1 million in the United States. ¿This is one important step on the path toward a permanent cure for AIDS,' said Kamel Khalili, PhD, Professor and Chair of the Department of Neuroscience at Temple
Worldwide, more than 33 million people have HIV, including more than 1 million in the United States. ‘This is one important step on the path toward a permanent cure for AIDS,' said Kamel Khalili, PhD, Professor and Chair of the Department of Neuroscience at Temple
'The low level replication of HIV-1 makes patients more likely to suffer from diseases usually associated with ageing,' Dr Khalili said.
These include cardiomyopathy – a weakening of the heart muscle – bone disease, kidney disease, and neurocognitive disorders.
'These problems are often exacerbated by the toxic drugs that must be taken to control the virus,' Dr Khalili added.
Researchers based the two-part HIV-1 editor on a system that evolved as a bacterial defence mechanism to protect against infection.
Dr Khalili's lab engineered a 20-nucleotide strand of gRNA to target the HIV-1 DNA and paired it with a DNA-sniping enzyme called Cas9 and used to edit the human genome.
'We are working on a number of strategies so we can take the construct into preclinical studies,' Dr Khalili said.
'We want to eradicate every single copy of HIV-1 from the patient. That will cure AIDS. I think this technology is the way we can do it.'



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Groundbreaking research shows 95 percent reduction in HIV transmission between sex partners when antiretroviral therapy is started early

Groundbreaking research shows 95 percent reduction in HIV transmission between sex partners when antiretroviral therapy is started early
The world of HIV prevention changed last week when it was announced that a recent National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded study was stopped early when it was determined that the risk of HIV transmission is 95 percent less if the person with HIV is on treatment and has his/her viral load (the amount of virus present in blood) completely suppressed than if they are not on antiretroviral therapy.
The study, carried out by the HIV Prevention Trials Network and designated HPTN 052, started in 2005 and involved 1,763 couples, 95 percent of whom were heterosexual, in which one partner had HIV and the other did not. Subjects were enrolled at 13 sites across the Americas, Asia and Africa. All HIV-infected participants had CD4 counts between 350 and 550/mm3 at enrollment and had not yet taken anti-HIV therapy. (CD4 count is the number of CD4, or T-helper lymphocytes, from a blood sample.) One group of study participants received anti-HIV drugs at the time of enrollment; the other, comparison group did not. Over the course of the study 28 partners of study participants acquired HIV — only one partner in the group receiving treatment and 27 in the group who were not on therapy.
While the HPTN 052 study did not include large numbers of persons with same sex partners, it is an important demonstration of principle, and it seems likely that substantial protection against transmission would occur in same-sex couples. The study results support the decision to start anti-HIV therapy in persons with CD4 counts higher than currently recommended, and serve to re-enforce the message stated again and again on the MedHelp forums and communities that it is important to ask partners if they have HIV and, if they have HIV, whether they are on effective therapy, before initiating sexual activity. While a 95 percent reduction is not the same as the virtually complete reduction of risk when condoms are used consistently and correctly and remain intact throughout the sex act, it is an important, newly recognized element of HIV prevention that has been proved now through rigorous scientific study.
Previous research had suggested that HIV infected persons on treatment were less likely to infect their sex partners. However, HPTN 052 studied much larger numbers of patients and was a randomized controlled trial, the most powerful kind of research design. In addition, the finding of 95 percent protection was a surprise to the researchers. In designing the study, they counted on a substantially lower level of protection. This is why they anticipated continuing to follow the research subjects and their partners through 2015; it was thought it might take that long to accurately measure a difference in transmission risk between those taking anti-HIV treatment and the untreated control couples. That the protection was so good that the trial could be stopped 4 years ahead of schedule was a very pleasant surprise to the investigators, as well as to other HIV prevention experts.

What This Means for You

For HIV infected persons, the results mean that antiviral treatment not only improves health and survival but goes a long way in preventing sexual transmission of the virus to uninfected partners. But there also is an important "take-home" message for sexually active persons without HIV: if a person's sex partner has HIV and is taking anti-HIV therapy, the chance of sexual transmission is much lower than it otherwise would be. This is especially so if the infected person has a low viral load, meaning they have small amounts of HIV in their blood, or none at all. Of course it remains wise to discuss mutual HIV status prior to sex with a new partner and avoid vaginal or anal sex with partners known to have HIV, and to use condoms routinely for vaginal or anal sex outside mutually monogamous relationships. But these very important research results should help reassure persons who, after an exposure, learn their partners have HIV but are on treatment for it.
In the future, we can anticipate additional helpful research outcomes from HPTN 052. Since the inception of MedHelp's HIV Prevention forum and Sexually Transmitted Disease forum, and more recently the HIV - International forum, one of the most common questions we field regards the probability of catching HIV after a sexual exposure. The available data are imprecise. We often quote figures like 1 chance in 1,000 to 2,000 for transmission by a single, unprotected vaginal sex exposure, if one partner is infected. Such data, which have been published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are rough estimates at best, because they are based primarily on people's recollections of sexual exposures in the months and years before they tested positive. In HPTN 052, the research subjects were asked to keep careful records of their sexual exposures. Analysis of these data should give more precise estimates of transmission risk for vaginal intercourse. Whether there was sufficient frequency of oral or anal sex for accurate calculation remains to be seen — but perhaps we will have improved information for those practices as well.
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