GLOBAL HEALTH: LSHTM Audio News Special: Energy and Health September 13th, 2007

LSHTM Audio News Review - September 12th, 2007 A supplement to LSHTM Audio News reviewing this year's important medical developments. Road-Side Tranexamic Acid Therapy to Reduce Mortality and Blood Transfusions after Trauma? The multi-national CRASH trial investigates whether the antifibrinolytic agent, tranexamic acid normally used to reduce bleeding during surgery can also be used as a first-aid to cut mortality and the need of blood transfusion immediately after trauma. Jaime Miranda, based in Lima, Peru, described to Peter Goodwin how the trial could benefit the developing world in particular. Growth Hormones: Slimming Aid for Patients Receiving HAART? Daily administration of the growth hormone releasing factor, TH9507, to patients with HIV receiving Highly Active Anti Retroviral Therapy (HAART) can help to reduce cardiovascular risk factors, according to Steven Grinspoon, who presented a paper on this at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, held in Los Angeles. He talked about his study with Dan Keller, who discussed the paper with Judith Currier. Raltegravir Doubled Antiviral Response Rates in Treatment-Experienced HIV-Infected Patients The integrase inhibitor raltegravir (one of a new class of anti-retroviral agents) blocks enzymes that allow HIV's nuclei acid to integrate into the DNA of host cells. The BENCHMRK study found that patients with HIV who are resistant to at least one drug in each of the nucleoside, non-nucleoside, and protease inhibitor classes, have doubled antiviral response rates and increased CD4 cells when taking raltegravir. Roy Steigbigel explained the study to Dan Keller in Los Angeles. John Mellors commented on the findings. Non-Perfect HIV Vaccine: Major Benefits There is good hope that a useful vaccine for HIV will be developed soon. Anthony Fauci wrote in the New England Journal Medicine (and explained to Derek Thorne for Audio News) that although a perfect vaccine may not emerge, a non-perfect vaccine will nevertheless be of great use, by slowing disease progression and also reducing the spread of disease.