HIV/AIDS remains one of the world’s most significant public health challenges, particularly in developing countries. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1), the variant responsible for the pandemic, has the ability to infect different cell types such as T cells, macrophages and dendritic cells (DC). These latter cells are crucial in the defense against infectious agents and play a major role in viral pathogenesis. The present study, published in PLoS ONE and led by researchers from Hospital Clinic de Barcelona-IDIBAPS, within the framework of HIVACAT, shows for the first time that dendritic cells in HIV-infected patients who spontaneously control the infection produce high levels of α-defensins 1 -3. This is associated with slower disease progression, suggesting potential diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive implications. The first author of this study is Dr. Marta Rodriguez-Garcia, Emili Letang Fellowship award from Hospital Clinic of Barcelona for her work in this line of research, and currently a postdoc at The Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard. The senior researchers of the study are Dr. Teresa Gallart, from the Immunology Service of Hospital Clinic and collaborator of the IDIBAPS team on Infectious Diseases and AIDS, and Dr. Josep M ª Gatell, Head of the Infectious Diseases Department at the Hospital Clinic, professor at the Department of Medicine of the University of Barcelona and leader of the same IDIBAPS team.
The Official Medical College of Barcelona, Keiretsu Forum Barcelona and Barcelona Activa organized last November 4, 2009 the 1st Healthcare Investment Forum Barcelona’09, in collaboration with Biocat and other institutions. The objective of this forum was to contact young entrepreneurs in the health sector with projects in biotechnology, medical devices, health services and information technology with venture capital investors interested in this sector.
This first edition of the Forum was a success. Over 35 companies presented their projects, of which 12 were finally selected. Three of the finalists were submitted by Hospital Clinic:
Dr. Antoni Trilla, Chief of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology at Hospital Clínic and Public Health Professor at the University of Barcelona, explains in this video the normal evolution of a normal flu epidemic. Influenza A is expected to behave approximately as a seasonal flu.
With this video we initiate a series of informative shorts dedicated to the new pandemic flu. We want the Hospital Clínic of Barcelona Health Communication Blog to become a useful tool to know and prevent it better.
Dr. Antoni Trilla, Hospital Clínic director of Quality and Clinical Safety, opens the collection with some general recommendations.
The Department of Health of the Catalan Government, with the support of the General Directorate of Public Information, has started a special website on flu caused by the new A(H1N1) virus. This website is updated continuously with contents aimed at the public and professionals.
