Hydrogen sulphide: A hope in blind battle with HIV : Daily Current Affairs

GS-3: Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology; Indigenization of Technology and Developing New Technology.

Key phrases - Hydrogen Sulphide, CART Therapy, Antiretroviral treatment, HIV

Why in news-

Scientists at IISC Bangalore suggest H2S can be used to combat HIV

Analysis:

What is HIV?

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks cells that help the body fight infection, making a person more vulnerable to other infections and disease
HIV attacks CD4, a type of White Blood Cell (T cells) in the body’s immune system. T cells are those cells that move around the body detecting anomalies and infections in cells
HIV is transmitted from person to person through bodily fluids including blood, semen, vaginal secretions, anal fluids and breast milk.
Around 80% of people infected with HIV develop a set of symptoms known as Acute Retroviral Syndrome, around 2-6 weeks after the virus enters into body.

Status in India

38 million living with HIV ; 24 million receiving ART
Short of 90-90-90 target set for 2020 -only 79% identified,62% on treatment-52% viral suppression. Target has been pushed by 5 years -Covid outbreak is complicating situation
HIV related deaths declined by 71% between 20005 and 17
Affects 22/10k Indians earlier it was figure of 38 in 2001
37% reduction in new infections-deaths fell by 45% due to ART
The number of pregnant women living with HIV has reduced from 31,000 in 2010 to 20,000 in 2019.

Current treatment regime

Anti-Retroviral Therapy: It is a combination of daily medications that stop the virus from reproducing. The therapy helps in protecting CD4 cells thus keeping the immune system strong enough to fight off the disease
Stem Cell Transplant-Under this, an infected person is treated with stem cell transplant from donors carrying a genetic mutation that prevents expression of an HIV receptor CCR5.CCR5 is the most commonly used receptor by HIV-1. People who have mutated copies of CCR5 are resistant to HIV-1 virus strain.
But all these treatments are only suppressive and cannot cure HIV.

Hope with this experimental therapy

Increased H2S was found to have a direct effect on reducing the rate at which the virus multiplies in HIV-infected human immune cells
Effects of counteracting oxidative stress by an antioxidant nanozyme during HIV infection
Observed a direct effect of H2S on suppressing HIV reactivation and replication along with all its other beneficial effects, such as maintenance of mitochondrial health

India’s battle against HIV

India aims to end HIV/AIDS by 2030 and is a signatory of UNAIDS programme 90-90-90 strategy by 2020.
It is also enshrined in Government of India’s National Health Policy (NHP 2017)
NACP national AIDS control programme is globally acclaimed as a success story. It was launched in 1992 as a comprehensive programme for the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in India.
Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act-it calls for a mandatory medical examination for the detection of HIV/AIDS among the victims of trafficking.
HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017: It aims to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. It bans discrimination against the HIV/AIDS-infected individuals
National Strategic Plan-Launched by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, its aim is to eradicate HIV/AIDS by 2030.
Mission SAMPARK-It aims to trace those who are left to follow up. These individuals are brought under the ART services. This community-based testing will enable the identification of all those who are HIV positive

Issues faced

Widespread stigma towards HIV-infected people despite the government measures. The marginalised are especially vulnerable, leading to them having limited to no access to medical treatment
There is only limited awareness about the legal protection and government aids to the HIV-infected people.
Women having limited to no say on negotiation for safer sex practice.
Injecting drugs using HIV-contaminated equipment. It has caused the 9.9% of the HIV cases.
Information dissemination reduced with improving survival rates
Success achieved led to complacency-priorities of funding changed due to improving results

Way ahead

Innovative policies must be executed for AIDS-infected children by integrating them with the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS).
Anganwadi infrastructures must be improved to support these children and faculties working in these facilities must be provided with special training to prevent the spread of infection.
Law enforcement agencies and the Police must coordinate with the medical community to ensure the drug addicts are not indulging in unsafe use of needles.
Sex workers always face stigma in society, leading to them not having access to health facilities, councillors etc. Inclusive government policies must be implemented to address this issue.
National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) Phase IV aims to diminish the new infections by 50% and provide comprehensive care, support and treatment to all those who are infected by AIDS/HIV
Enhancing the investment in Community led responses: India has over 1500 community based organisations working as partners for National AIDS control organisation and joint UN programme on HIV/AIDS. Scaling up the investment can help them reach target population better and faster

Source: The Hindu

Mains question

Q. India after a tremendous success has seen a resurgence of HIV in the North-East. While discussing the probable reasons, outline the measures to control and reverse this trend. (15 Marks, 250 Words).