Distal sensory polyneuropathy, which occur commonly in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients can occur as a consequence of the disease itself or the antiretroviral treatment the patient is receiving. Among the antiretroviral agents, nucleoside analogues are commonly associated with neuropathy and the main underlying mechanism is thought to be the mitochondrial toxicity exhibited by these agents. Clinical presentation of antiretroviral induced neuropathy is similar to that associated with t Join discussion...

Using a diaphragm doesn't appear to help HIV prevention in women, researchers report in tomorrow's online edition of The Lancet. The finding comes from a study of more than 4,900 sexually active women in South Africa and Zimbabwe, where about one in five adults is infected with HIV. The researchers included Nancy Padian, PhD, of the University of California, San Francisco. They point out that in southern Africa, because of gender inequality and social or cultural constraints, "women are often Join discussion...

When added to maximally tolerated lipid lowering therapy in patients with HIV dyslipidemia, ezetimibe helps further lower lipids, according to a new study. In a June 13th publication in Lipids in Health and Disease, Dr. Greg P. Bondy and colleagues at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver note that ezetimibe blocks intestinal absorption of dietary cholesterol and has been effective in lowering lipids in patients with and without HIV. However, the team points out that in HIV patients it Join discussion...

Nearly half of all people infected with HIV/AIDS are now women, the majority of whom contracted the disease through sexual intercourse with male partners. Especially alarming is the steady increase in HIV rates among women under the age of 25, a population considered one of today’s most vulnerable for acquiring the disease. Due to both biological and cultural factors, women are more than twice as likely as men to acquire HIV through sexual intercourse. In an effort to help stem the tide of the Join discussion...

Almost all surgical residents accidentally stick themselves with needles or other sharp medical instruments but most fail to report the injury, increasing their risk of contracting HIV, hepatitis or other bloodborne diseases from infected patients, according to a study published Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine, the New York Times reports Join discussion...

An experimental HIV drug called etravirine may help treat drug-resistant HIV as part of an HIV drug "cocktail" that also includes the HIV medication Prezista. That news -- published in The Lancet's July 7 edition -- may mean greater survival for people with HIV. Join discussion...

In this week's BMJ, two groups of public health doctors argue for routine opt-out HIV testing in healthcare settings such as general practice surgeries, accident and emergency departments and hospital wards. Join discussion...

Merck & Co Inc said its HIV drug Isentress has been granted priority review status by the US Food and Drug Administration. Merck said it expects the FDA to rule on the application by the middle of October. Join discussion...

The comprehensive, on-line textbook of HIV disease from the University of California San Francisco and San Francisco General Hospital. Join discussion...