SummaryThe antiviral effect of homœopathic drugs against two animal viruses, Chicken Embryo Virus (CEV) of fowls and Simliki Forest Virus (SFV), causing encephalitis and death in mice were investigated. In all 10 drugs in 33 potencies were tested against CEV and 8 drugs in 26 potencies showed varying degree of virus inhibition. The drugs that caused 100% inhibition of CEV were Typhoidinum 200, Hydrophobinum 1000, Tuberculinum 1000, Nux vomica 200, and Malandrinum 1000. Of the drugs tested in 11 potencies against SFV, none were found effective in either preventing disease or death of mice infected with this virus.

Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) have potential clinical utility in HIV-1 prevention and cure strategies. However, bNAbs target diverse epitopes on the HIV-1 envelope and the virus may evolve to evade immune responses.

Both hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are highly endemic in sub‐Saharan Africa. This study examined serological and clinical follow‐up data from 39 HBV DNA‐positive, HIV‐positive black South African adults, who returned for follow‐up at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months post‐initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Of the 39 participants, 10 experienced full suppression of HBV and 29 experienced no suppression, with 10 of these showing a virological breakthrough. All 10 patients who fully suppressed were HBsAg‐negative, with 16 of the 29 who did not suppress being HBsAg‐positive and 13 HBsAg‐negative (P < 0.05). Participants fully suppressing the virus had significantly lower aminotransferase levels and were all HBsAg‐negative compared to those who did not suppress (P < 0.05). HBV viral loads between HBsAg‐positive and HBsAg‐negative samples were similar at baseline and at the final time‐point. In these South African patients with HBV/HIV coinfection, HBsAg‐negative status at baseline was a predictor of the outcome of HBV suppression in response to ART containing lamivudine.

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