VIH

HIV infection remains one of the most important epidemiological challenges we face as a society. According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), there were an estimated 38 million people living with HIV worldwide in 2020.

THE CHALLENGE

Middle- and low-income countries are the hardest hit by the virus, especially those in sub-Saharan Africa, but HIV is still present in all corners of the world.

The high percentage of late diagnoses, comorbidities, the high incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the frailty associated with aging are just some of the circumstances that show us that much remains to be done. On the other hand, and bearing in mind that the life expectancy of HIV patients is practically the same as that of the general population, the goal is now to improve their quality of life and allow them to age healthily.

WHAT HAVE WE DONE SO FAR?

1992

We began our fight against HIV. The Fundació Lluita contra la Sida (Fight Against AIDS Foundation) was born.

2015

We incorporated telemedicine in the monitoring and collection of clinical data of people with HIV.

2022

Trials with the therapeutic vaccine AELIX Therapeutix confirmed that 40% of participants who have received the vaccine control the virus better when their antiretroviral treatment is temporarily withdrawn.

LINES OF ACTION

TREATMENTS

  • We participate in phase 1 studies (initial studies) to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of new antiretroviral drugs.
  • We study the interactions of new antiretroviral drugs with other treatments.
  • We make progress in our knowledge of the resistances that can emerge with the use of new antiretrovirals.

VACCINES

We promote studies and conduct clinical trials with therapeutic vaccines (to treat people already infected with HIV) and preventive vaccines (to prevent infection). We also study viral reservoirs, i.e., where the virus hides in the body, in order to be able to access it and eliminate it.

AGEING AND COMORBIDITIES

Currently in our environment, more than 50% of people with HIV are over 50 years old. For this reason, we study the diagnosis of pathologies specific to ageing and other related conditions from a social, psychological, mental and functional point of view. In addition, we provide knowledge to tackle the side effects of prolonged treatments over time.

HEPATIC PATHOLOGY

Currently, thanks to the effectiveness of existing treatments, there are few people with HIV who are also infected with the Hepatitis C virus. We focus on the study of fatty liver, a liver pathology that is very common among HIV patients, especially as their age increases.

PROCTOLOGY

A high percentage of people with HIV are co-infected with the human papilloma virus (HPV). Since 2005, the Foundation has offered routine check-ups for the detection, diagnosis, follow-up and treatment of lesions caused by the human papilloma virus in both men and women with HIV

PrEP

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an HIV prevention strategy that involves the administration of antiretroviral drugs to HIV-negative people to reduce their risk of becoming infected.

We work in collaboration with the BCN Checkpoint and BCN Prep·Point community centre, in the heart of Barcelona, to reach a population of more than 6,000 people who are regularly tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

DIET

Although good nutrition has no impact on the prevention of HIV or the cure of AIDS, it helps to manage patients and improve their quality of life.

The diet line of action works closely with the ageing area by assessing nutritional status in cohorts made up of older people with HIV and collaborates in the Foundation’s projects for other lines of research.

PSYCHOLOGY

Neurocognitive deterioration: we work on the early detection and treatment of the main effects of HIV and the impact of antiretrovirals on the central nervous system, creating strategies to slow down and improve neurocognitive deterioration.

Emotional well-being: we identify the main factors that affect the quality of life of people with HIV, such as those related to living with the virus for many years.

LATEST NEWS

FEATURED PROJECTS

MEET THE TEAM OF THIS AREA OF KNOWLEDGE

Eugènia Negredo

Head of HIV Section – Doctor and Researcher

Yovaninna Alarcón

Statistics

Anna Prats

Neuropsychologist and Researcher

Lucía Bailón

Doctor and Researcher

Susana Benet

Doctor and Researcher

Anna Bonjoch

Doctor and Researcher

Vira Buhiichyk

Support Researcher

José M. Cabrera

PrEP Point Doctor

Pep Coll

Doctor and Researcher

Patricia Echevarría

Doctor and Researcher

Carla Estany

Dietitian and Nutritionist

Josep Ferrer

Doctor and Researcher

Diana Hernández

Researcher

Toni Jou

Doctor and Researcher

Begoña Lemos

Social Worker

Josep M. Llibre

Doctor and Researcher

José A. Muñoz-Moreno

Psychologist and Researcher

Mariusz Lucejko

PrEP Point Doctor

Pepe Moltó

Doctor and Researcher

Beatriz Mothe

Doctor and Researcher

Anna Prats

Neuropsychologist and Researcher

Boris Revollo

Doctor and Researcher

Àngel Rivero

PrEP Point Doctor

Carmina Rodríguez

Clinical Psychologist and Researcher

Sofía Sabato

Doctor and Researcher

Guille Sirera

Doctor and Researcher

HELP US FIGHT THIS AND OTHER INFECTIONS!

We need your support to continue conducting independent clinical research with the aim of treating and curing people with an infectious disease.