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Background Human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is still among the leading causes of disease burden and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), and the world is not on track to meet targets set for ending the epidemic by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Precise HIV burden information is critical for effective geographic and epidemiological targeting of prevention and treatment interventions. Age- and sex-specific HIV prevalence estimates are widely available at the national level, and region-wide local estimates were recently published for adults overall. We add further dimensionality to previous analyses by estimating HIV prevalence at local scales, stratified into sex-specific 5-year age groups for adults ages 15–59 years across SSA. Methods We analyzed data from 91 seroprevalence surveys and sentinel surveillance among antenatal care clinic (ANC) attendees using model-based geostatistical methods to produce estimates of HIV prevalence across 43 countries in SSA, from years 2000 to 2018, at a 5 × 5-km resolution and presented among second administrative level (typically districts or counties) units. Results We found substantial variation in HIV prevalence across localities, ages, and sexes that have been masked in earlier analyses. Within-country variation in prevalence in 2018 was a median 3.5 times greater across ages and sexes, compared to for all adults combined. We note large within-district prevalence differences between age groups: for men, 50% of districts displayed at least a 14-fold difference between age groups with the highest and lowest prevalence, and at least a 9-fold difference for women. Prevalence trends also varied over time; between 2000 and 2018, 70% of all districts saw a reduction in prevalence greater than five percentage points in at least one sex and age group. Meanwhile, over 30% of all districts saw at least a five percentage point prevalence increase in one or more sex and age group. Conclusions As the HIV epidemic persists and evolves in SSA, geographic and demographic shifts in prevention and treatment efforts are necessary. These estimates offer epidemiologically informative detail to better guide more targeted interventions, vital for combating HIV in SSA.

One of the complications of the use of anti-retroviral therapy (ART), immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS), is particularly problematic in the management of cryptococcal meningitis. We present the case of a 35- year-old male with acquired immune deficiency syndrome diagnosed with extensive central nervous system (CNS) cryptococcal disease, including meningitis and multiple intracranial cysts, diagnosed eight weeks after the initiation of ART. The patient experienced a relapsing and remitting clinical course despite repeated courses of potent antifungal therapy and aggressive management of raised intracranial pressure. This review highlights therapeutic dilemmas and strategies in the management of CNS cryptococcosis complicated with IRIS and highlights gaps in available treatment guidelines.

Abstract Purpose Despite antiviral therapy (ART), 800,000 deaths still occur yearly and globally due to HIV infection. In parallel with the good virological control and the aging of this population, multiple comorbidities [HIV-associated-non-AIDS (HANA) conditions] may now be observed. Methods HIV adult patients hospitalized in intensive care unit (ICU) from all the French region from university and non-university hospital who participate to the OutcomeRea™ database on a voluntary basis over a 24-year period. Results Of the 24,298 stays registered, 630 (2.6%) were a first ICU stay for HIV patients. Over time, the mean age and number of comorbidities (diabetes, renal and respiratory history, solid neoplasia) of patients increased. The proportion of HIV diagnosed on ICU admission decreased significantly, while the median duration of HIV disease as well as the percentage of ART-treated patients increased. The distribution of main reasons for admission remained stable over time (acute respiratory distress > shock > coma). We observed a significant drop in the rate of active opportunistic infection on admission, while the rate of active hemopathy (newly diagnosed or relapsed within the last 6 months prior to admission to ICU) qualifying for AIDS increased—nonsignificantly—with a significant increase in the anticancer chemotherapy administration in ICU. Admissions for HANA or non-HIV reasons were stable over time. In multivariate analysis, predictors of 60-day mortality were advanced age, chronic liver disease, past chemotherapy, sepsis-related organ failure assessment score > 4 at admission, hospitalization duration before ICU admission > 24 h, AIDS status, but not the period of admission. Conclusion Whereas the profile of ICU-admitted HIV patients has evolved over time (HIV better controlled but more associated comorbidities), mortality risk factors remain stable, including AIDS status.

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), which is caused by HIV infection, is an epidemic disease that has killed millions of people in the last several decades. Although combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has enabled tremendous progress in suppressing HIV replication, it fails to eliminate HIV latently infected cells, and infected individuals remain HIV positive for life. Lifelong antiretroviral therapy is required to maintain control of virus replication, which may result in significant problems, including long-term toxicity, high cost, and stigma. Therefore, novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed to eliminate the viral reservoir in the host for HIV cure. In this review, we compare several potential strategies regarding HIV cure and focus on how we might utilize chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cells (CAR T) as a therapy to cure HIV infection.

Background HIV-related stigma among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) has been associated with many negative consequences, including poor adherence to therapy and undue psychological stress. However, the relative influence of specific demographic and situational factors contributing to HIV-related stigma among rural PLWHA in central China remains unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the level of HIV-related stigma among rural PLWHA across specific demographic and situational factors in central China. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among PLWHA receiving care through the Chinese Centers for Disease Control of Zhenping county in Henan Province, China. Participants completed a 55-item questionnaire which included demographic and disease-related factors, HIV-related stigma was measured utilizing the validated Berger HIV Stigma Scale which has good psychometric characteristics in Chinese PLWHA. Results A total of 239 PLWHA completed the survey. The mean total HIV-related stigma score was 105.92 (SD = 12.35, 95% CI: 104.34, 107.49). Multivariable linear regression analysis revealed a higher level of HIV-related stigma in younger PLWHA (β = − 0.57, 95% CI = − 0.78,-0.35, p<0.001) and those who self-reported opportunistic infections (β = 6.26, 95% CI = 1.26, 11.26, p < 0.05). Conclusions The findings in the current study suggest that rural PLWHA in central China suffer from the burden of HIV-related stigma at a moderate to high level. Younger PLWHA and PLWHA that have opportunistic infections tend to perceive a higher level of HIV stigma.

Objectives HIV-infected individuals are at increased risk of neurocognitive disorders compared with the general population. Studies suggest that, despite the combination of antiretroviral drugs, HIV infection causes immune activation leading to significant neural damage; however, there is little data on HIV-infected young people in our country. Methodology This is a comparative cross-sectional study conducted between November 2020 and March 2021 on two hundred and sixteen children aged 6–15 years, including 106 HIV-positive children and 108 healthy children. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Differential Ability Scale Second Edition (DAS-II). Results HIV-infected children showed lower cognitive scores than control children in the subtest group of verbal ability (82.1% vs. 43.5%); non-verbal ability (84.9% vs. 45.4%); spatial ability (79.2% vs. 21.3%) and generall conceptual ability (GCA) (88.7% vs. 43.5%). The children in the control group had significantly higher ability scores in the diagnostic tests and in school achievement, and the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion Cognitive impairment remains a significant complication in HIV-positive children, as suggested by low cognitive scores in more than half of our participants. This is an unresolved issue with implications for survival, quality of life and daily functioning in these children. It is important that clinicians are able to identify and manage these cognitive deficits.

Objectives: An estimated 1.8 million individuals worldwide became newly infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in 2016, which amounts to 5,000 new infections per day. This includes 160,000 children. The HIV epidemic not only affects the health of individuals but also impacts households, communities, and the development and economic growth of nations [1 ]. The prevention and control of HIV infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) are recognized as a national priority in Kuwait. This study assesses the knowledge, awareness, and attitudes about HIV/AIDS among senior high school students in Kuwait. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a convenience sample of 346 students in 8 randomly selected high schools in 3 governorates of Kuwait, using a questionnaire designed to measure the student’s knowledge and attitude towards HIV/AIDS. The survey questionnaire was administered to the students in their classrooms. Results: This study revealed that the students were knowledgeable with regard to the nature and mode of transmission of HIV/AIDS, but they needed a more detailed understanding of the disease to prevent stigmatization and discrimination of an infected person. Conclusion: This study provides a benchmark for further elaborate studies in the community to develop appropriate health education and awareness programs.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART), a treatment for AIDS, is rapidly increasing life expectancy throughout sub-Saharan African countries affected by the AIDS epidemic. This change in life expectancy has potentially profound influences on life-cycle decisions. A longer life expectancy increases the value of human capital investment, while the effect on savings is theoretically ambiguous and life-cycle saving could increase or decrease. This paper uses spatial and temporal variation in ART availability to evaluate the impact of ART provision on savings and investment. We find that ART availability significantly increases savings, expenditures on education, and children’s schooling, including among HIV-negative individuals who do not directly benefit from ART. These results are not driven by the direct health effects of treatment or reductions in caretaking responsibilities, but rather by reduced perceptions of mortality risk after ART has become available.

To systematically integrate the psychosocial experiences and coping mechanisms of AIDS patients after the disease, and to understand their true feelings, in order to provide a basis for better implementation of psychological interventions for AIDS patients. An automated search of the Cochrane Library, PubMed, JBI, CINAHL, Web of Science, EBSCO, Embase database, CNKI, Wanfang Database, Wipro Database, and SinoMed from the database's creation until March 2025 turned up all the literature on the psychosocial experience of AIDS patients and response strategies. The quality of the gathered literature was assessed using the JBI Center for Evidence-Based Health Care's 2016 Qualitative Research Evaluation Tool, and the results were compiled and interpreted using the pooled synthesis approach. A total of 15 papers were included, and 36 themes were distilled and grouped into 11 new categories, which were brought together into 3 integrative results: complex psychological responses: identity ruptures and struggles, reconstructing psychological adaptations: and from collapse to reconstruction, adapting coping strategies: from passive acceptance to active resistance. The psychosocial experience of AIDS patients is multidimensional and dynamic, and clinical staff should pay attention to the psychosocial problems of patients. In the future, through policy optimization, individual empowerment and social support, personalized psychological intervention and effective health education will be provided to build a more inclusive AIDS care ecosystem. This systematic review did not directly involve people living with HIV to design or conduct the review. However, this finding will inform a qualitative study designed to explore the psychosocial feelings and illness coping experiences of people living with AIDS.