Quick tests to detect recent HIV infections in sub‑Saharan Africa
Rapid Tests for Recent Infection (RTRI) for Precision Public Health in Sub-Saharan Africa: Next-Generation Strategies Amid Changing HIV Epidemiology
This project uses a rapid HIV test that can tell if an infection likely happened within the past year to help focus prevention and testing where new cases are occurring in sub‑Saharan Africa.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11221911 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you test positive for HIV at participating clinics, a quick test (RTRI) looks at your antibodies to see if the infection is likely recent (about within the past year). The team links recent results with place and time to find active transmission clusters and guide where to intensify testing, prevention, and outreach. The work builds on Zambia's rollout of RTRI and combines clinic-based testing, routine data, and pilot response actions to try to stop chains of new infections faster. Researchers aim to make this approach faster and cheaper than genetic sequencing so health programs can respond in near real time.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People in sub‑Saharan Africa who receive an HIV‑positive test at participating clinics—including adolescents and adults—would be the main candidates for RTRI follow‑up.
Not a fit: People who are HIV‑negative, whose infections clearly occurred more than a year ago, or who are not in participating regions or clinics are unlikely to directly benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help programs find and stop recent HIV transmission faster, preventing more infections while using resources more efficiently.
How similar studies have performed: Rapid recent‑infection tests have been used in places like Zambia and look promising for finding recent cases, but using them routinely to trigger real‑time public‑health responses is still relatively new.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- New York University School of Medicine — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bershteyn, Anna — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Bershteyn, Anna
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.