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🤖 AI and Machine Learning in HIV Prevention and Care A new narrative review explores how artificial intelligence and machine learning are being applied across the HIV care continuum—from enhancing prevention strategies and early diagnosis to optimising treatment and supporting public health responses. The authors also highlight key challenges, including bias, equity, and explainability, that must be addressed as these tools advance. 👉 Read review: touchinfectiousdiseases.com/hiv/journal-ar… #HIV #AIMedicine #InfectiousDiseases

🦟 Chikungunya milestone: First FDA-approved vaccine for teens & adults The FDA has approved the first virus-like particle (VLP) chikungunya vaccine for individuals aged 12 years and older — addressing a critical unmet need in preventing this mosquito-borne disease. 🌍 Chikungunya has spread to over 110 countries worldwide, with hundreds of thousands of cases reported each year. This approval marks an important step forward in global prevention efforts. Read more 👉 touchinfectiousdiseases.com/insight/chikun… #Chikungunya #InfectiousDiseases

📢 Reducing HIV stigma in clinical practice Despite major advances in HIV treatment — and the clear evidence supporting U=U (undetectable = untransmittable) — stigma remains a persistent barrier to care. In this Practice Pearl Q&A, we spoke with Dr Lydia Efobi (University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria) about where stigma still shows up in modern clinical practice, and the practical steps healthcare professionals can take to address it. 🔗 touchinfectiousdiseases.com/insight/reduci… #HIVCare #StigmaReduction #InfectiousDiseases

📢 CROI 2026: Expert voices shaping the future of HIV care If you missed Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections 2026, here’s a snapshot of the insights you need to know 👇 In this expert-led piece, Eric Meissner, Chloe Orkin, Kate Seib, Julienne Lehmann and Jürgen Rockstroh share their perspectives on the most important advances presented this year. 💡 Key themes from CROI 2026 include: ✔ Expanding treatment and prevention options beyond daily dosing ✔ Advances in long-acting and more flexible approaches ✔ Progress in understanding and targeting HIV reservoirs ✔ A shift towards more personalised, patient-centred care 🔗 Explore the full expert insights: touchinfectiousdiseases.com/insight/expert… @ias_usa #CROI2026 #HIV #InfectiousDiseases #HIVCare #MedicalEducation #touchINFECTIOUSDISEASES

🧩 Optimising Hepatitis C Treatment and Management Despite the availability of highly effective therapies, hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a major public health challenge — with diagnosis and reinfection posing key barriers to elimination. In this expert Q&A, Prof. Christoph Boesecke discusses: ✔️ Current best practice in HCV treatment ✔️ Barriers to universal care — from underdiagnosis to cost ✔️ Strategies to improve adherence and follow-up in high-risk groups ✔️ The potential role of vaccines in the future of HCV management Read 👉 touchinfectiousdiseases.com/insight/optimi… #HepatitisC #InfectiousDiseases #HCV

🧪 Long-term HIV Treatment Outcomes New research presented at IAS 2025 shows that switching to an alternative antiretroviral regimen can maintain viral suppression while improving certain cardiometabolic markers. Findings included: ✅ Sustained efficacy over 96 weeks ✅ Lower early weight gain, with stability thereafter ✅ Significant reductions in LDL-C and total cholesterol Read: touchinfectiousdiseases.com/insight/anv-3t… #HIV #CardiometabolicHealth

🦠 IMARI 2026: Interdisciplinary action to confront antimicrobial resistance If you missed the inaugural Interdisciplinary Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance and Innovation 2026, here’s a quick look back. Hosted by the American Society for Microbiology @asmicrobiology and the Infectious Diseases Society of America in Las Vegas, the meeting brought together experts across research, clinical care and policy to address the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance. 🔬 Advances in antimicrobial discovery 🧫 Insights into resistance mechanisms and microbiomes 🤝 Collaboration across science, industry and policy Read the key highlights 👇 touchinfectiousdiseases.com/insight/imari-… #IMARI2026 #AntimicrobialResistance #AMR #InfectiousDiseases #Microbiology

We’re incredibly proud to share that Touch Medical Media has been named one of the UK’s Best Workplaces™ 2026 by Great Place To Work® @GPTW_UK What makes this recognition particularly meaningful is that it’s based entirely on confidential feedback from our team. Their insights highlighted the culture of collaboration, trust, and shared purpose that drives our business forward every day. A huge thank you to everyone at Touch for helping build such a positive and supportive workplace. Read more about the award here: touchmedicalmedia.com/news/touch-med… #UKBestWorkplaces #GreatPlaceToWork #CompanyCulture

💉 “An HIV vaccine wouldn’t just save lives – it would transform entire communities.” Dr Amesika Nyaku (Northwestern University) explores the scientific challenges, breakthroughs and global significance of HIV vaccine development. 🔬 From mRNA to broadly neutralising antibodies, discover what’s next in the fight to end HIV. 👉 Read the Q&A: touchinfectiousdiseases.com/insight/the-hi… #HIV #HIVVaccine #GlobalHealth #InfectiousDiseases #mRNA

🦠 The future of HIV cure strategies Even with effective ART, HIV persists in long-lived reservoirs, especially T follicular helper (Tfh) cells in lymph nodes. Recent research shows how clonal expansion and epigenetic activity in these cells contribute to viral persistence, offering insights for future cure strategies. Read our discussion with Julienne Lehmann on what these findings mean for next-generation HIV research: touchinfectiousdiseases.com/insight/the-fu… #HIVResearch #CROI2026 #HIVCure #InfectiousDiseases

🔬 Mapping macrophage heterogeneity in pre-eclampsia Spatial omics is shedding new light on the maternal-fetal interface. Dr Michael Zulu shares how his research reveals striking differences in macrophage niches between pre-eclamptic and normotensive pregnancies, offering fresh insights into this complex condition. Discover how CESORA 2025 is advancing our understanding of immune heterogeneity and the future of maternal-fetal medicine. 🔗 Read more: touchinfectiousdiseases.com/insight/mappin… #CESORA2025 #PreEclampsia #Immunology #MaternalHealth #MacrophageBiology #touchIMMUNOLOGY

🔬 Unravelling HIV persistence: how tissue immunology and single-cell multi-omics are redefining the reservoir Why does HIV persist despite effective therapy? And what can new technologies reveal about where – and how – the virus survives? In this Q&A from CESORA 2025, Prof. Michael Betts (Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania) explores the role of CD8 T-cell dysfunction, tissue-based immunoregulation, and how single-cell and spatial multi-omics are transforming our understanding of the HIV reservoir. 👉 Read more: touchinfectiousdiseases.com/insight/unrave… #HIV #Immunology #InfectiousDiseases #SingleCell

🌟 Exciting news! 🌟 🎙️ Our podcast series Visionary Voices is now on Spotify! 🎙️ Join us and our incredible guests as we explore key trends, innovations and the stories shaping the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. 🎧 Ready to tune in? Click below to explore our episodes! 👉 Listen now on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/6RG0gKHFj… #Podcast #VisionaryVoices #HealthcareInnovation #TouchMedicalMedia #NowOnSpotify

💉 Strategies for successful long-acting injectable HIV implementation Long-acting injectable HIV therapies are transforming prevention and treatment, improving adherence and reducing stigma. In this IDWeek 2025 Q&A, Dr Ramgopal shares practical strategies from high-performing clinics, highlighting the importance of patient-centred care and multidisciplinary collaboration. Discover lessons learned and what’s next for oral and injectable HIV therapies: touchinfectiousdiseases.com/insight/strate… #HIV #LongActingInjectables #InfectiousDiseases

International Women’s Day | Celebrating the women powering Touch Medical Media 75% of our team and 64% of leadership are women, shaping ideas, innovation, and impact every day. Diversity drives better outcomes and stronger collaboration. Today, we celebrate them. Tomorrow we keep building. Happy International Women’s Day 💜 Voices of leadership. Stories of impact: touchmedicalmedia.com/news/internati… #InternationalWomensDay #IWD #WomenInLeadership #WomenInBusiness #Leadership @womensday

💡Is short-cycle ART effective for adolescents living with HIV? Dr Adeodata R. Kekitiinwa shares key 96-week findings showing that short-cycle ART (five days on, two days off) was less effective than daily treatment at maintaining viral suppression in adolescents living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite good adherence and intensive support, more viral rebounds occurred with the short-cycle approach. Read more: touchinfectiousdiseases.com/insight/is-sho… #IAS2025 #HIV #AIDS #UequalsU #HIVtreatment #HIVawareness #PrEP

🧬 Can Viruses Help Us Defeat Superbugs? Bacteriophage therapy is gaining renewed attention as antibiotic resistance continues to rise worldwide. Unlike broad-spectrum antibiotics, phages precisely target harmful bacteria while leaving the beneficial microbiome intact. In our Q&A, Dr Ikechukwu Moses shares key insights on: 🔹 Why phage therapy is re-emerging as a promising alternative 🔹 The infections and patient groups most likely to benefit 🔹 Ongoing global studies driving clinical adoption 🔗 Discover more: touchinfectiousdiseases.com/insight/bacter… #PhageTherapy #AntibioticResistance #InfectiousDiseases

🚀 Stay ahead in the world of Infectious Diseases! Get the latest research, insights, and expert opinions delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up for our touchINFECTIOUS DISEASES newsletter and never miss a breakthrough in disease prevention and treatment. 🔬 From innovative therapies to clinical trial updates, we've got you covered. 👉 Click to subscribe: touchinfectiousdiseases.com/your-free-10-m… #InfectiousDiseases #MedicalNews

🦠 NDM Resistance Trends at IDWeek 2025 At #IDWeek2025, antimicrobial resistance took centre stage. Dr Dariusz Hareza (Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine) discusses the sharp rise of NDM-producing Enterobacterales, new oral treatment options, and key debates shaping infectious disease practice. Key takeaways: • NDM-producing Enterobacterales up >400% in 5 years • Ongoing debates in treatment selection and duration • Better local resistance data and paediatric research urgently needed Read the full interview 👇 touchinfectiousdiseases.com/insight/ndm-re… #InfectiousDiseases #AMR #NDM #IDWeek2025 #ClinicalPractice

🌍 New Strategies for HIV Prevention in a Shifting Funding Landscape At #IAS2025 in Kigali, Mitchell Warren (AVAC) highlighted the urgent need to put HIV prevention at the centre of sustainability efforts. Key themes included: 🔹 Scaling access to long-acting PrEP (injectables & monthly oral options) 🔹 Addressing equity in delivery to avoid widening disparities 🔹 Advocating for sustained, strategic investment despite funding uncertainties 🔗 Read the full Q&A: touchinfectiousdiseases.com/insight/new-st… #HIVPrevention #IAS2025 #PrEP