📄 Category

hiv aids

65 papers

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.

📄 hiv aids

Coordinated Cytokine Responses Are Associated With Rapid HIV Reservoir Decay During Acute Treated HIV Infection

This study demonstrates that coordinated inflammatory, antiviral, and immunoregulatory cytokine responses, particularly involving TNF-α, IL-17A, and IL-10, are significantly associated with rapid HIV reservoir decay during the first 24 weeks of antiretroviral therapy initiated in acute infection, suggesting that timing and balance of these immune pathways could inform future HIV cure strategies.

Barbehenn, A., Lundgren, E., Savur, S., Shi, L., Shao, J., Hoh, R., Hartig, H. M., Pae, V., Sarvadhavabhatla, S., Donair (…)2026-10-24
📄 hiv aids

Assessing the Competing Risks of Loss to Follow-up and Mortality Among Adults Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy in Northern Ghana: Application of the Fine-Gray Subdistribution Hazard Model

This study of adults receiving antiretroviral therapy in Northern Ghana reveals that loss to follow-up is a more frequent outcome than mortality, with travel distance significantly hindering retention while baseline weight, sex, and ART regimen are key predictors of death.

Abo, S. C., Abdulai, M. Y., Bavug, B. T.2026-10-20
📄 hiv aids

Mechanisms of action of a community-led HIV prevention and treatment programme for female sex workers in Zimbabwe: a mixed-method analysis

This mixed-method study of the AMETHIST intervention in Zimbabwe found that while qualitative narratives suggested peer support and self-help groups reduced self-stigma to improve HIV service uptake among female sex workers, quantitative analyses did not confirm self-stigma or social cohesion as the causal mechanisms driving the intervention's improved treatment outcomes.

Busza, J., Jones, H., Matambanadzo, P., Hove, T., Chabata, S., Kujeke, T., Makamba, M., Madimutsa, G., Machingura, F., C (…)2026-10-16
📄 hiv aids

Biological aging markers in South African women with HIV and variable exposure to childhood maltreatment

This study of South African women reveals that while HIV infection is associated with accelerated biological aging across multiple markers, childhood maltreatment shows limited impact, and the various aging measures exhibit only weak to moderate intercorrelations, suggesting a multidimensional pattern of aging largely independent of these stressors.

Maloka, K. M. S., Spies, G., du Plessis, S., Hemmings, S. M. J., Letendre, S., Seedat, S., Womersley, J. S.2026-10-16
📄 hiv aids

Epigenetic Aging and Associated Factors in Japanese People with HIV: A Protocol for a Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study

This protocol outlines a single-center cross-sectional study designed to characterize epigenetic aging and its associations with treatment history, lifestyle, and clinical markers in 100 Japanese men living with HIV, aiming to address the scarcity of data on this topic in the Japanese population.

Tomo, Y., Jung, S., Kudo-Nagata, Y., Sekiya, R., Fukushima, K., Kawana-Tachikawa, A., Nakaki, R., Imamura, A., Kasamatsu (…)2026-09-09
📄 hiv aids

Socio-demographic and behavioral factors influencing the utilization of community-post interventions for HIV testing services by men (>=18 years) in Kericho County, Kenya

This mixed-methods study in Kericho County, Kenya, identifies that employed men and those willing to participate in future campaigns are more likely to utilize community-post HIV testing services, while frequent travelers, those engaging in unprotected sex, and those unsure about future participation are less likely to use them.

Kongani, L., Nyaberi, J. M., Ngure, K.2026-09-08✓ Author reviewed ⓘ
📄 hiv aids

Diagnostic performance, implementation fidelity, and costs of the World Health Organization three-test HIV testing strategy in Malawi: a national retrospective evaluation

A national retrospective evaluation in Malawi demonstrates that transitioning to the WHO-recommended three-test HIV strategy effectively prevented false-positive diagnoses and unnecessary antiretroviral therapy at a modest incremental cost, thereby supporting the broader adoption of this guidance in similar settings.

Chimpandule, T., Tweya, H., Goeke, L., Masina, T., Macheso, S., Low, N., Jahn, A., Imai-Eaton, J. W. W.2026-09-01
📄 hiv aids

Effect of transitioning virally suppressed children and adolescents with HIV to dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy: emulated target trials in a large cohort in South Africa

This large-scale emulated target trial study in South Africa demonstrates that transitioning virally suppressed children and adolescents with HIV from efavirenz- or lopinavir/ritonavir-based regimens to dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy significantly reduces the risk of death or viral rebound over 12 to 24 months, strongly supporting the global shift toward dolutegravir for this population.

Brown, J. A., Sookrajh, Y., Mtila, L., Lushaba, N., Hlabisa, M., van der Molen, J. S., Tlhaku, K., Nkosi, M., Ngwenya, T (…)2026-08-22
📄 hiv aids

Socioeconomic Inequalities and Spatial Clustering in HIV Testing Uptake in Ghana: A Concentration Index and Geospatial Analysis of the 2022 GDHS.

This study analyzes the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey to reveal significant pro-rich socioeconomic inequalities and distinct north-south spatial clustering in HIV testing uptake, identifying education, wealth, and geographic location as key determinants that necessitate targeted interventions for equitable access.

Siddiq, A. I., Iddrisu, O. A.-F., Abubakar, H. S., Sowah, S. N. T., Botchway, S. Q.2026-08-14
📄 hiv aids

Clinical outcomes of HIV treatment clients enrolled in six-month dispensing after less than 6 months on treatment in Zambia: A target trial emulation

This target trial emulation study in Zambia demonstrates that initiating six-month multi-month dispensing of antiretroviral therapy between 3 to 6 months after treatment start is associated with a lower risk of treatment interruption compared to the standard 6-to-12-month initiation window, supporting the safety and efficacy of earlier access to extended dispensing.

KACHINGWE, E., Fox, M. P., Shumba, K., Mokhele, I., Ntjikelane, V., Kamanga, A., Haimbe, P., Sivile, S., Rosen, S., Pasc (…)2026-08-13