The Biology of HIV Transmission
Data Collection
Collected from today forward - ProspectiveHIV Infections
See all eligibility criteria
Cohort
Tracking disease incidence in order to identify risk factors and understand disease progression over time.See protocol details
Summary
The purpose of this study is to look at the amount of HIV in the blood, genital fluid, and saliva of the partners of patients with early HIV infection. This study will also look at the strength of the immune systems of patients with early HIV infection. Because HIV multiplies very quickly in the early stages of infection, patients with early HIV infection may be more likely to transmit HIV to their partners. The amount of HIV in blood, genital fluid, and saliva may determine the risk for transmission. Persons with early HIV infection may represent high transmission risk to their partners. Early infection, characterized by rapid virologic replication, insufficient immunologic control of infection, and more rapid course of disease progression, may be associated with increased infectiousness. The viral determinants of transmission may in part be explained by viral burden in blood, genital fluids, and oral cavity fluids. All three fluids may be the source for transmitted virus. Persons with suspected HIV infection are asked to identify their possible source partners. The importance of partner referral is emphasized and assisted recruitment or active tracing is offered if necessary. Source partners will not be approached uninvited. If a partner states that he/she does not want to be contacted, then he/she will not be contacted further for the purpose of this study or for any other study. All patients are offered HIV counseling and plasma testing for HIV-1 RNA and CD4+ cells. Blood specimens are collected for plasma determination, and cellular and plasma fractions are collected for CAF and neutralization antibodies. Neutralization assays are used to detect humoral immune response in patients with primary HIV infection. Genital fluids and saliva are analyzed for viral RNA. Patients are seen in the clinic on Day 1 for blood draw and return 2 weeks later for blood test results. A follow-up period of at least 4 weeks is planned. Compensation is provided to all patients.
Protocol
This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.Samples from participants are kept, and they can be used to extract DNA in the future. These might include things like blood or frozen tissue. This allows researchers to study genetics and how DNA may relate to the disease.
Other Options for Sample Use
Samples Without DNA: Samples are kept but not usable for DNA analysis.
None Retained: No samples are kept after the study.
Participants are selected without using randomization. They may be chosen based on convenience, access, or willingness to participate. This approach is common when random selection isn’t practical.
Another way to select participants is through a probability sample, where participants are chosen randomly, so everyone has an equal chance to be included.
Researchers start collecting data from the present day forward, following participants over time to observe outcomes. This approach helps identify how exposures or behaviors may lead to health events in the future.Other Ways to Collect Data
Retrospective: These studies use existing medical records or past data.
Cross-sectional: These studies collect data at one single point in time.
Others: Some studies use a mix of approaches or less common designs depending on the research goal.
Eligibility
Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria: person's general health condition or prior treatments.Conditions
Criteria
