Comparable Antigenicity and Immunogenicity of Oligomeric Forms of a Novel, Acute HIV-1 Subtype C gp145 Envelope for Use in Preclinical and Clinical Vaccine Research.

Unlabelled: Eliciting broadly reactive functional antibodies remains a challenge in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) vaccine development that is complicated by variations in envelope (Env) subtype and structure. The majority of new global HIV-1 infections are subtype C, and novel antigenic properties have been described for subtype C Env proteins. Thus, an HIV-1 subtype C Env protein (CO6980v0c22) from an infected person in the acute phase (Fiebig stage I/II) was developed as a research reagent and candidate immunogen.

Current advances and challenges in HIV-1 vaccines.

Recent advances in science, which have aided HIV-1 vaccine development, include an improved understanding of HIV-1 envelope structure and function, expansion of the pipeline with innovative vaccine strategies, promising multi-gene and multi-clade vaccines that elicit cellular immunity, conduct of clinical trials in a global network, and development of validated techniques that enable simultaneous measurement of multiple T cell vaccine-induced immune responses in humans. A common feature of several preventive vaccine strategies now in early clinical trials is their ability in nonhuman primates to attenuate clinical disease rather than completely prevent HIV-1 infection. One vaccine concept has been tested in large-scale clinical trials, two are currently in efficacy trials, and one more is poised to enter efficacy trial in the next few years.

Acyclovir sensitivity of sequential herpes simplex virus type 2 isolates from the genital mucosa of immunocompetent women.

Background: Despite widespread use of acyclovir, infection with acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) remains uncommon. To understand the frequency and clinical significance of acyclovir-resistant isolates, we evaluated the in vitro acyclovir sensitivities of sequential isolates from 34 immunocompetent women.

Methods: HSV-2-seropositive women collected daily samples of genital secretions while receiving acyclovir or placebo, each for 10 weeks.