What sociodemographic, behavioural, and clinical profiles are linked to disruptions of vaginal bacteria in African women? Not enough is known about the sociodemographic, behavioural, and clinical correlates of the bacterial environment of the vagina. The vaginal microbiome (VMB) can be characterized using molecular methods. In this...
Does hormonal contraception create changes in cervicovaginal bacteria and does it affect risk of sexually transmitted infections for African sex workers? Previous studies have reported an association between the use of injectable Depo-Provera for contraception and increased risk of HIV acquisition. Hormones may increase susceptibility to...
Dementia associated with HIV infection has become rare as a result of improved access to effective antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, milder forms of cognitive impairment are reported to be very common among people living with HIV. The domains that are usually assessed for impairment are...
Research using a Participatory Action Approach (PAA) can engage clients, facilitate joint learning, and strengthen clients' position in the client-provider-insurer triad. This study explored barriers to healthcare and health insurance from the client perspective. Qualitative methods were used to inquire deeply into the motives and...
A Brazilian research group together with AIGHD researchers studied the effect of rolling out a cartridge-based molecular tuberculosis assay (Xpert MTB/RIF) for routine diagnosis of TB in two cities in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro and Manaus. The study, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation,...
AIGHD is pleased to announce that an article submitted by the TBNET consortium has just been awarded the science price for 2014 from the consortium of funders for science in Germany (Stifterverband der deutschen Wissenschaft). The article published in the European Respiratory Journal is entitled...
Sex workers can be at higher risk for gonorrhoea and the reasons are varied and interrelated. AIGHD researcher Gabriela Gomez and her colleagues developed a framework of gonorrhoea risk that can help in the design of research studies. The analysis of findings from such studies...
Current tests for tuberculosis (TB) are less than ideal for screening. A more active approach to find infectious cases is urgently needed if tuberculosis is to be eliminated. Resources are scarce in countries where TB is most common and must be used efficiently. Dr. Anja van...
HIV-infected individuals may be at increased risk of age-associated comorbidity. The AGEhIV Cohort Study investigates prevalence, incidence and risk factors for age-associated comorbidity among HIV-1-infected (n=598) and highly comparable HIV-uninfected individuals (n=550), all aged 45 and above. Baseline (cross-sectional) results from the AGEhIV Cohort Study...
Diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) is often slow, especially in patients admitted to hospital. This poses risks of transmission of TB to other patients, in particular when these have HIV infection. Marcelo Cordeiro-Santos of the Foundation for Tropical Medicine investigated, together with colleagues from Brazil and...