18 research outputs found
A model of HIV/AIDS population dynamics including ARV treatment and pre-exposure prophylaxis
Antiretroviral treatment (ART) and oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) have recently
been used efficiently in management of HIV infection. Pre-exposure prophylaxis
consists in the use of an antiretroviral medication to prevent the acquisition of HIV
infection by uninfected individuals. We propose a new model for the transmission of
HIV/AIDS including ART and PrEP. Our model can be used to test the effects of ART
and of the uptake of PrEP in a given population, as we demonstrate through
simulations. The model can also be used to estimate future projections of HIV
prevalence. We prove global stability of the disease-free equilibrium. We also prove
global stability of the endemic equilibrium for the most general case of the model, i.e.,
which allows for PrEP individuals to default. We include insightful simulations based
on recently published South-African data
Informed consent for HIV cure research in South Africa: issues to consider
Background: South Africa has made great progress in the development of HIV/AIDS testing, treatment and prevention campaigns. Yet, it is clear that prevention and treatment campaigns alone are not enough to bring this epidemic under control.
Discussion: News that the “Berlin patient” and the “Mississippi baby” have both been “cured” of HIV brought hope to people living with HIV/AIDS in South Africa that a cure for HIV/AIDS is within reach. Despite the recent setbacks announced in the “Mississippi Baby” case, protocols aimed at curing HIV/AIDS are being developed in South Africa. However with evidence to suggest that participants in clinical trials do not understand the basic concepts in the informed consent process, there is concern that future participants in HIV/AIDS cure research will lack comprehension of the basic elements of future clinical trials that aims to cure HIV/AIDS and confuse research with clinical care.
Summary: Research ethics committees have an important role to play in ensuring that participants understand the basic concepts discussed in the informed consent process, that they understand that research is not clinical care and they are unlikely to benefit from any early phase trials seeking to cure HIV/AIDS