Microbiology

Timely linkage to care and treatment by HIV-positive individuals can lead to significant decreases in morbidity and mortality as well as increases in life expectancy and quality of life. Further, there are significant prevention benefits as early initiation on antiretroviral treatment (ART) can significantly reduce HIV transmission to uninfected partners. Modeling exercises also suggest that universal HIV testing coupled with immediate treatment could decrease HIV incidence and virtually eliminate the HIV/AIDS pandemic. To achieve this, the rate of linkage to care must be 100%. This underscores the importance of understanding and addressing barriers to linkage.

This document is an update of the national PMTCT Policy and Guidelines 2010. It aims to provide continued guidance towards a reduction in the vertical transmission of HIV, building on work done since the inception of the programme and the 2010 Policy and Guidelines document. In line with the international standards for a comprehensive strategy, the PMTCT policy recognises that in order to prevent HIV among women and children, the four elements of PMTCT are integral.

These include:
*             Primary prevention of HIV, especially among women of childbearing age;

A new set of guidelines and training tools dealing with the legal, ethical and counselling issues related to HIV testing of children is now available for HIV/AIDS practitioners working with children.

Dr Heidi van Rooyen, project team leader and research director at the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), explains: “These guidelines explore in simple and practical terms the psychosocial implications as well as the legal and policy obligations relating to HIV counselling and testing of children.

“The tools describe what practitioners can do to ensure that HIV testing of children takes place in a way that protects and promotes their rights and is conducted in their best interests."

The World Malaria Report 2012 summarizes information received from 104 malaria-endemic countries and other sources, and updates the analyses presented in the 2011 report. It highlights the progress made towards the global malaria targets set for 2015 and describes current challenges for global malaria control and elimination.

Report without country profiles is attached. For report with country profiles please visit : http://www.who.int/malaria/publications/world_malaria_report_2012/en/index.html

(Six - month Temporary Contract Appointment)

The Desmond Tutu TB Centre (DTTC), in collaboration with the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease and TREAT TB, has embarked on an OPERATIONAL RESEARCH ASSISTANCE PROJECT, involving research projects in all 9 provinces.

The Data Clerk position is offered as a six-month contract, with the possibility of extension, subject to availability of funding. The position is based in Westville, KwaZulu-Natal.

The project aims to:

Explore the reasons for the low rates of MDR-TB treatment initiation in public health facilities in KwaZulu-Natal.

Duties:

The "tried and tested" models described reflect the range of great work being done at the coal face to prevent HIV infection and mother-to-child prevention of HIV. The models and tools have been developed by frontline nurses and doctors across South Africa and in neighboring countries that are facing huge challenges with limited resources.

Download entire book (28Mb)

Preamble and Contents

This report assesses the general levels of transmitted and acquired drug resistance in select geographical areas of low- and middle-income countries. It is based on two distinct data sources: surveys performed to assess transmitted and acquired drug resistance using standardized WHO methods (WHO surveys) and a broad systematic review of the published literature on transmitted and acquired drug resistance. Findings from the monitoring of early warning indicators of HIV drug resistance are also presented and discussed. This report is organized as follows.

These recommendations have been developed specifically to address the daily use of antiretrovirals in HIV-uninfected people to block the acquisition of HIV infection. This prevention approach is known as pre-exposure prophylaxis.

At this stage evidence is available from studies with two groups: men and transgender women who have sex with men; and serodiscordant heterosexual couples. In parallel, WHO also is preparing new recommendations on the use of antiretroviral drugs in people living with HIV to prevent transmission of infection.

This new UNAIDS report contains the latest data on numbers of new HIV infections, numbers of people receiving antiretroviral treatment, AIDS-related deaths and HIV among children. It highlights new scientific opportunities and social progress which are bringing the world closer to UNAIDS vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths.

The report also gives an overview of international and domestic HIV investments and the need for greater value for money and sustainability.

Calling for global solidarity and shared responsibility, the UNAIDS report contains commentaries from global and community leaders as well as people living with and affected by HIV.

The final report of the Global Commission on HIV and the Law presents a coherent and compelling evidence base on human rights and legal issues relating to HIV