HIV Health News

Crystal Meth Users Have Higher HIV Infection Rates

San Francisco men who have sex with men (MSM) and use crystal meth have an HIV infection rate (6.3% per year) three times higher than the rate in MSM who do not use the drug (2.1% per year), according to a study reported in the September 2nd issue of AIDS. The rate is even higher (7.7% per year) in MSM who have sex while using crystal. Researchers from the San Francisco Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also found that among the 2,991 local MSM studied in 2001--2002, crystal users were more likely to have unprotected anal sex or more than nine sex partners in the previous year. Citing these troubling figures, as well as anecdotal evidence of rising rates of crystal use among San Francisco MSM, the study authors called for expanding treatment and research programs for crystal meth dependence, along with more targeted education campaigns to prevent HIV infections related to use of this highly addictive drug.

T-20 without Needles

T-20 (enfuvirtide, Fuzeon) is the only approved drug in a new class of anti-HIV medications known as fusion inhibitors. Unlike other anti-HIV drugs, it must be injected. A report at the 3rd International AIDS Society Conference in Rio, however, showed that T-20 could be given safely and effectively with a needle-free injection device called the Biojector. The gun-like Biojector delivers the drug under the skin in a mist; it was shown in a 12-week study to cause fewer injection site reactions and was easier to use than needles. A few subjects experienced nerve pain, which was attributed to misuse of the device. An improved T-20 delivery system is welcome news, considering other reports at the conference showing that adding T-20 to drug regimens offered significant benefits for people who have limited treatment options.

Flushing HIV from Latent Cells

Antiretroviral therapy is unable to reach HIV that hides in latent (non-active) cells, which can be reactivated to produce more virus. Researchers have explored ways to flush HIV out of these cells, with disappointing results. A recent small study, however, showed that combining valproic acid, an anticonvulsant, with T-20 (Fuzeon) led to a 75% drop in infected latent cells in three of four subjects. While intriguing, these results point to only partial eradication and need to be confirmed in larger, longer studies. They offer hope, though, that one day a means of flushing HIV out of all body cells may be found.