Studies of HIV-1 Infection in Newly Infected Individuals in Southern Africa

Virological and Immunological Studies of HIV-1 Infection in Newly Infected Individuals in Southern Africa

The main goal of this study is to find out how the immune system responds to a specific type of HIV infection, known as C HIV-1, in order to develop a vaccine against this type of infection. The study involves Southern African populations.

The HIV-1 virus changes rapidly and many different subtypes have been found. In South Africa, limited data have suggested Subtype C HIV-1 is the most common. This study strives to verify the most common subtype and also look at genetic differences and immune responses among newly infected individuals. Results will aid in the development of vaccines specific for certain geographical areas.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Detailed Description

HIV-1 evolves rapidly and multiple genetic subtypes have been isolated from a number of geographic locations. There are limited data on the distribution of subtypes in the Southern African HIVNET sites. Data suggest subtype C HIV-1 predominates and this study is designed to substantiate and extend these observations to understand the biological relationship between HIV-1 subtypes, genetic variability, and immune responses. Earlier studies were conducted using individuals who had been seropositive for 3 to 9 years with advanced disease status; this study will test reactivity during the early stage of infection. This will assist in the rational selection of prototypic isolates for inclusion in either a single universal vaccine or vaccines tailored for specific subtypes/geographical regions.

Volunteers are recruited from Malawi, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The earliest possible cases of seroconversion are included. At enrollment, participants are counseled appropriately for their HIV status and demographic information is obtained. Participants are followed quarterly up to 12 months. Epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory data are collected during physical exams and blood draws at each visit. Blood samples are used to assess CD4 counts, plasma viral load, genetic parameters, and individual immune responses. Participants who are seronegative or whose status is unknown are tested for HIV at each visit, with post-test counseling when participants return to the clinic for test results.

In addition to enrolling the HIV-infected and uninfected volunteers, each site contributes a 5-ml blood sample from 50 seronegative individuals for DNA extraction and HLA genotyping.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment

125

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

    • North Carolina
      • Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States, 27709
        • Missie Allen

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 45 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria

Participants may be eligible for this study if they:

  • Are first HIV-negative and later test HIV-positive; or are HIV-positive and have evidence of being HIV-negative within the 8 months prior to first testing HIV-positive; or are HIV-positive with one test and HIV-negative with another test.

Exclusion Criteria

Participants will not be eligible for this study if they:

  • Have a mental disorder that interferes with agreeing to do the study or with participating in the study.
  • Are receiving anti-HIV treatment for more than 4 weeks.
  • Have tuberculosis.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • Study Chair: Haynes Sheppard
  • Study Chair: Desmond Martin
  • Study Chair: Clive Gray

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 26, 2000

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 30, 2001

First Posted (Estimate)

August 31, 2001

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

September 25, 2008

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 24, 2008

Last Verified

July 1, 2004

More Information

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Clinical Trials on HIV Infections

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