HIV/AIDS research remains a critical frontier in global health, focusing on everything from understanding how the virus interacts with the human immune system to developing new treatments and vaccines. This field is constantly evolving, with scientists working tirelessly to improve patient outcomes and move closer to a functional cure. Because these discoveries happen rapidly, staying updated with the latest findings is essential for both experts and the public.

At Gist.Science, we bridge the gap between complex research and clear understanding by processing every new preprint in this category directly from medRxiv. We transform these dense scientific documents into both plain-language explanations and detailed technical summaries, ensuring that the latest insights into HIV and AIDS are accessible to everyone. Below are the most recent papers we have analyzed, offering a fresh look at the ongoing fight against the virus.

Experimental human pneumococcal carriage in adults with HIV in Malawi

This study established a safe and acceptable experimental human pneumococcal carriage model in Malawi, revealing that while virally suppressed people living with HIV are not more susceptible to initial pneumococcal acquisition than HIV-uninfected adults, they exhibit impaired clearance, suggesting that prolonged carriage duration rather than increased susceptibility drives the high pneumococcal carriage rates observed in this population.

Doherty, K., Chirwa, A., Nsomba, E., Nkhoma, V., Galafa, B., Kadzanja, G., Mailboy, M., Mangtani, E., Songolo, S., Lipunga, G., Sigoloti, A., Mkwandawire, C., Kamanga, M. P., Toto, N., Makhaza, L., Nd (…)2026-05-20📄 hiv aids

Spectrum and Immunovirological Determinants of Tumours Among People Living with HIV in Uganda: A Retrospective Cohort Study from a Specialised HIV Centre, 2017 to 2026

This retrospective cohort study of 217 people living with HIV in Uganda (2017–2026) reveals that despite high viral suppression rates, malignancies remain predominant and are strongly driven by Kaposi sarcoma and immunovirological factors such as low pre-ART CD4 counts and advanced clinical stage, highlighting the need for improved early screening and immune reconstitution strategies.

Mwaka, J., Sserunjogi, C., Nataliya, J.2026-05-01📄 hiv aids

Impact of a Phased Transition Model on Advanced HIV Disease Outcomes: A Pre- and Post-Implementation Evaluation Study in Malawi

A pre- and post-implementation evaluation in Malawi demonstrates that transitioning Advanced HIV Disease services from partner-led to Ministry of Health leadership significantly reduced 12-month mortality and sustained retention, despite observed declines in CD4 testing and TB preventive therapy uptake.

Maphosa, T., Machekano, R., Denoeud-Ndam, L., Makonokaya, L., Chilikutali, L., Kalitera, L. U., Matiya, E., Mayi, A., Musarandega, R., Matola, B. W., Berhan, A. Y., Ahimbisibwe, A., Tiam, A.2026-04-17📄 hiv aids

Time-to-Tuberculosis disease diagnosis after completion of Tuberculosis preventive therapy among people living with HIV on Antiretroviral Therapy in Eastern Uganda: A retrospective cohort study

This retrospective cohort study in Eastern Uganda reveals that approximately 21.5% of HIV-positive individuals on antiretroviral therapy develop active tuberculosis shortly after completing preventive therapy, with shorter ART duration and clinically diagnosed TB identified as key predictors of early reactivation despite viral suppression.

Esele, B. A., Oryokot, B., Ssentongo, S. M., Mulongo, M., Akanyo, J., Bongomin, F.2026-04-13📄 hiv aids

Modelling the tail-phase pharmacokinetics of long-acting cabotegravir and rilpivirine from early pregnancy to postpartum at steady state

This study utilized virtual population simulations to characterize the prolonged tail-phase pharmacokinetics of long-acting cabotegravir and rilpivirine following discontinuation during early pregnancy, revealing that maternal drug levels persist for several months postpartum and fall below therapeutic thresholds only after gestation week 33, thereby highlighting the need for strategies to mitigate risks associated with discontinuation in this population.

Atoyebi, S., Waitt, C., Olagunju, A.2026-04-07📄 hiv aids

Empiric tuberculosis treatment and 12-month mortality among sputum GeneXpert-negative adults living with HIV in Uganda in the era of widespread Antiretroviral therapy: A prospective cohort study

This prospective cohort study in Uganda reveals that despite widespread antiretroviral therapy, Xpert-negative adults living with HIV face high 12-month mortality, which is significantly elevated among those receiving empiric tuberculosis treatment, suggesting that negative molecular results should prompt extensive evaluation for alternative diagnoses like cryptococcosis and bacteremia rather than immediate empiric TB therapy.

Nakiyingi, L., Kikaire, B., Nakayenga, S., Kamulegeya, L., Nakabugo, E., Asio, J. N., Bagaya, B., Ssengooba, W., Mayanja-Kizza, H., Manabe, Y. C.2026-04-06📄 hiv aids

Implementation of an online tele-coaching community-based exercise (CBE) intervention among adults living with HIV in Canada: A two-phased intervention study

This two-phased study demonstrates that a 12-month online tele-coaching community-based exercise intervention successfully increased physical activity levels and improved strength, weight, and physical function among adults living with HIV in Canada, with many benefits sustained during a subsequent independent follow-up period.

O'Brien, K. K., McDuff, K., Avery, L., Ibanez-Carrasco, F., Chan Carusone, S., Tang, A., Bayoumi, A. M., Da Silva, G., Su, T.-T., Loutfy, M., Ahluwalia, P., Brown, D. A., Solomon, P., Ilic, I., Pandov (…)2026-04-04📄 hiv aids

Safety and immunogenicity of an HIV envelope trimer immunogen that elicits CD4 binding site neutralizing antibody precursors (HVTN 300)

The Phase 1 HVTN 300 study demonstrated that an adjuvanted CH505 TF chimeric Env trimer immunogen is safe and effectively elicits CD4 binding site-directed antibodies, including precursors of broadly neutralizing antibodies, in healthy adults.

Walsh, S., Hahn, W. O., Williams, W. B., Hyrien, O., Yu, P.-C., Parks, K. R., Edwards, R. J., Parks, R., Barr, M., Polakowski, L. L., Tindale, I., Jones, M., Yurdadon, C., Burnham, R., Yeh, C.-H., Hep (…)2026-04-03📄 hiv aids

Co-Developing a Women-Centered HIV Prevention Intervention to Reduce Stigma, Increase HIV Self-Testing, and Improve Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Uptake in Ghana (WISE WOMAN): A Study Protocol

This study protocol outlines a pilot implementation of a co-developed, WhatsApp-based intervention designed to reduce stigma and increase HIV self-testing and PrEP uptake among young women in Ghana by leveraging community-based participatory research and human-centered design approaches.

Aidoo-Frimpong, G., Obeng, Y. A., Abubakar, A. T., Mensah, W. K., Anyidoho, D. S.2026-04-02📄 hiv aids

Hazardous Alcohol Use, Sexual Behavior, and Incident HIV across 11 Eastern and Southern African Countries

A secondary analysis of 16 nationally representative surveys across 11 Eastern and Southern African countries reveals that hazardous alcohol use is significantly associated with high-risk sexual behaviors and increased odds of undiagnosed HIV infection among both men and women, suggesting that integrating HIV prevention strategies for individuals who drink alcohol could substantially reduce new infections in the region.

Reed, D. M., Johnson, L. F., Keyes, K., Knight, J., Imai-Eaton, J. W. W.2026-03-31📄 hiv aids