Feasibility of conducting HIV prevention trials among key populations in Nairobi, Kenya.

Objective: To assess the feasibility of conducting HIV prevention trials among key populations in Nairobi, Kenya.

Background: HIV prevention trials require the inclusion of those at high risk of HIV infection and their informed decision to take part and remain in the clinical trial to the end is crucial. In Kenya key populations including men who have sex with men (MSM) and female sex workers (FSW) are, disproportionately, at high risk of HIV infection when compared to the general population.

Willingness to participate in future HIV vaccine trials among men who have sex with men and female sex workers living in Nairobi, Kenya.

Objective: To evaluate factors associated with willingness to participate in future HIV vaccine trials among men who have sex with men and female sex workers living in Nairobi, Kenya.

Background: Working with 'key populations', those at elevated risk of HIV acquisition, is important to conduct efficient HIV prevention trials. In Nairobi Kenya, HIV infection is higher in men who have sex with men (MSM) and female sex workers (FSW) than in the general adult population, hence the need to establish if they would be willing to participate in future HIV vaccine trials.

Reported willingness to participate in a hypothetical HIV vaccine trial and its translation to actual participation among healthy adults-Experience from Kenya.

Objective: To evaluate initial reported willingness to participate in a hypothetical HIV vaccine clinical trial and actual participation of volunteers in a longitudinal observational study.

Methods: We recruited HIV negative male and female volunteers aged 18-45 years into a longitudinal observational study at KAVI-ICR Kangemi in Kenya, to serve as a pool from which to draw participants into a phase I HIV vaccine clinical trial. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information regarding willingness to join a HIV vaccine clinical trial in the future.

Live Attenuated Zoster Vaccine Boosts Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV)-Specific Humoral Responses Systemically and at the Cervicovaginal Mucosa of Kenyan VZV-Seropositive Women.

Background: Attenuated varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a promising vector for recombinant vaccines. Because human immunodeficiencyvirus (HIV) vaccines are believed to require mucosal immunogenicity, we characterized mucosal VZV-specific humoral immunity following VZVOka vaccination.

Methods: Adult Kenyan VZV-seropositive women (n = 44) received a single dose of the live zoster VZVOka vaccine.

Integrin αβ expression on peripheral blood CD4 T cells predicts HIV acquisition and disease progression outcomes.

The gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa is central to HIV pathogenesis, and the integrin αβ promotes the homing of immune cells to this site, including those that serve as viral targets. Data from simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) animal models suggest that αβ blockade provides prophylactic and therapeutic benefits. We show that pre-HIV infection frequencies of αβ peripheral blood CD4 T cells, independent of other T cell phenotypes and genital inflammation, were associated with increased rates of HIV acquisition in South African women.