HIV infection
HIV infection
Overview
HIV infection is a chronic viral disease caused by human immunodeficiency virus, a retrovirus that targets the immune system, especially CD4+ T cells. Without effective treatment, progressive immune depletion leads to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and susceptibility to opportunistic infections, malignancies, and multi-organ complications. In modern care, antiretroviral therapy is central to suppressing viral replication, restoring immune function, and reducing transmission.
Biologically, HIV infection is characterized by persistent viral replication, immune activation, and long-term inflammatory and immunologic consequences even in treated individuals. Recent research continues to examine how viral suppression, immune exhaustion, inflammation, mitochondrial function, telomere attrition, and comorbid disease contribute to outcomes such as frailty, cardiac dysfunction, neurocognitive injury, and age-related health decline. Studies also increasingly focus on adherence, engagement in care, and prevention strategies, including future vaccine development and long-acting antibody approaches.
Recent Publications Focus
Below is a summary of the newest research publications targeting HIV infection (sorted by publication date).
Recent research highlights innovative approaches to HIV prevention and treatment optimization across diverse populations. Studies examining network-based interventions demonstrated that accounting for spillover effects through social and healthcare networks significantly improves understanding of HIV intervention effectiveness, with effects documented in both HIV and opioid use disorder interventions [PMID 42348626]. In sub-Saharan Africa, the ENGAGE project is investigating prevention of vertical transmission in adolescent girls and young women living with HIV in Tanzania, addressing the elevated risks of mother-to-child transmission in this particularly vulnerable population [PMID 42315270]. Among LGBTQ+ adults, HIV vaccination intent emerged as a key factor associated with preventive behaviors, with individuals expressing intent to vaccinate for HIV showing significantly higher likelihood of pursuing mpox vaccination [PMID 42223400].
Viral management and clinical monitoring remain central to HIV care. Recent studies have identified risk factors associated with low-level viremia in people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy [PMID 42302078]. In treatment-naive individuals, research has characterized posterior segment ocular findings and their virologic and immunologic predictors, including cytomegalovirus retinitis and HIV-related retinopathy [PMID 42200741]. Clinical presentations can be unexpectedly complex; erythrovirus B19-induced pure red cell aplasia has been documented as an initial clinical manifestation leading to HIV diagnosis in previously healthy individuals, with treatment using intravenous immunoglobulin producing favorable outcomes [PMID 42154736].
Psychosocial and social dimensions of living with HIV are increasingly recognized as integral to treatment success and quality of life. Expressive writing interventions have been evaluated as a method to improve optimism and coping in newly diagnosed people with HIV [PMID 42216406]. Adolescents living with HIV experience particular vulnerability; research has documented substantial impacts of major public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescents aged 10-15 years with HIV and their families in Vietnam [PMID 42192372]. Additionally, studies of co-existing infections highlight how HIV status influences care engagement patterns across multiple conditions, with implications for comprehensive management strategies [PMID 41417651].