HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis In Men Who Have Sex With Men: Investigating Impacts On HIV Incidence And Novel Methods Of Engagement
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
HIV infections are increasing in gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in Australia and Indonesia. A promising new HIV prevention strategy is HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which involves HIV-negative individuals taking one pill containing HIV treatments per day to prevent infection. PrEP is highly effective when taken correctly. Access to PrEP is currently very limited. Studies to investigate the best ways to implement PrEP services are required in Australia and Indonesia.
Identifying Undiagnosed HIV Infection Among Australian Gay Men: Delivering HIV Testing Through A National, Community-based Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$781,432.00
Summary
Gay men remain the group primarily affected by HIV in Australia. People with undiagnosed HIV infection contribute disproportionately to HIV transmission in Australia. This study will deliver HIV testing to gay men in community settings, provide test results to consenting participants and estimate the prevalence of HIV and undiagnosed HIV infection. It will contribute significantly to reducing the number of undiagnosed HIV infections in Australia by providing strategic knowledge to guide HIV prev ....Gay men remain the group primarily affected by HIV in Australia. People with undiagnosed HIV infection contribute disproportionately to HIV transmission in Australia. This study will deliver HIV testing to gay men in community settings, provide test results to consenting participants and estimate the prevalence of HIV and undiagnosed HIV infection. It will contribute significantly to reducing the number of undiagnosed HIV infections in Australia by providing strategic knowledge to guide HIV prevention programs.Read moreRead less
Novel Interventions For Comprehensive Prevention Of Mother-to-child Transmission Of HIV-1 In Resource-constrained Settings
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$474,034.00
Summary
Nearly 2.5 million persons are infected with HIV each year. My vision is to improve the health of vulnerable women and children in resource-constrained settings through comprehensive prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1. This work aims to i) prevent HIV among women of childbearing age; ii) prevent unintended pregnancies among HIV-infected women; iii) prevent transmission of HIV from mothers to their infants; and iv) provide treatment, care and support for those living with HIV.
A Pragmatic Randomised Clinical Trial Of Nicotine Vaporisers Added To Smoking Cessation Treatment For Priority Populations Living With Comorbidities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,499,145.00
Summary
Smoking is a leading cause of early death for people with certain health conditions because they are more likely to smoke and are also at greater risk of tobacco-related disease. This clinical trial will test whether encouraging people living with Hepatitis C Virus, people on opiate substitution therapy and people living with HIV who smoke to use nicotine vaporisers long-term, in addition to current smoking cessation treatments, will help them to stay abstinent from smoking.
Modulation Of HIV-1 Latency In Primary CD4 T Cells By Chemokines And Dendritic Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,167.00
Summary
Although treatment of HIV using antiretroviral drugs has dramatically improved outcome the presence of latent infection in long lived T cells has so far prevented cure of HIV infection. This study examines the roles of chemokines (proteins that control cell migration) and a special type of infection fighting cell, the dendritic cell, in generating latent infection in resting T cells. These studies could potentially identify new ways to treat and potentially cure HIV infection.
The Role Of HIV Infection Of Astrocytes In The Development Of HIV Associated Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$144,250.00
Summary
Dementia is an extremely common problem in the late stages of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. HIV-associated dementia is the most common cause of dementia in people under 40 years of age. Despite the development of very good drugs to attack the virus, HIV-associaed dementia continues to be a major clinical problem. We are looking at the reasons why some people infected with HIV become demented and others do not. We are also looking at how best to prevent the development of dementia ....Dementia is an extremely common problem in the late stages of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. HIV-associated dementia is the most common cause of dementia in people under 40 years of age. Despite the development of very good drugs to attack the virus, HIV-associaed dementia continues to be a major clinical problem. We are looking at the reasons why some people infected with HIV become demented and others do not. We are also looking at how best to prevent the development of dementia. We believe that astrocytes (an important brain cell that supports neurons) play a very important role in the development of HIV-associated dementia. With an improved understanding of the steps leading to dementia we can better plan treatments to prevent the development of this devastating complication of HIV-AIDS.Read moreRead less
Macfarlane Adaptive Changes In HIV-1 Subtype C Envelope Glycoproteins Contributing To Pathogenicity.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$310,787.00
Summary
HIV exists as multiple subtypes. The most commonly studied is type B (B-HIV). B-HIV is common in developed countries, but accounts for only a small fraction of HIV infections worldwide. Type C HIV (C-HIV) in Africa and Asia accounts for the majority of infections worldwide, yet very little is known about how C-HIV causes AIDS. We aim to understand how C-HIV causes AIDS. This is critical for development of drugs and vaccines specifically designed for those who are most urgently need.
Is Male Circumcision An Acceptable And Feasible Intervention To Reduce HIV Transmission In Papua New Guinea
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$624,913.00
Summary
In PNG, Australia's nearest neighbour, 76 000 people live with HIV with predictions of up to 500 000 by 2025. African studies show 60% reduction in HIV if men are circumcised. Because relatively few men in PNG are circumcised, promoting circumcision may save thousands of lives. This study examines an NHMRC research priority area in Global Health by analysing social, cultural and religious aspects of circumcision. The study will assess if circumcision is an acceptable way to reduce HIV in PNG.