Understanding HIV-2 reservoirs and HIV-1/2 dual infections in West Africa
Official title: Characterizing HIV reservoir in HIV-2, and HIV-1 and HIV-2 dual infections
Funded at University of Ghana Medical Centre · NIH-11411034 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project studies how HIV hides in the body for people living with HIV-1, HIV-2, or both, to inform future cure strategies in Africa.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Ghana Medical Centre NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Accra, Ghana) |
| Project start | July 16, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $146,231 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI197879-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11411034 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults in Ghana with HIV-1, HIV-2, or dual infections who are virologically suppressed on ART and willing to participate in research procedures.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not infected with HIV or those not on ART suppression may not benefit from this study.
What this research studies
The research will examine how latent HIV persists in people with HIV-1, HIV-2, or dual infections, focusing on reservoir sizes in different immune cells. It uses specialized lab methods to measure HIV DNA and RNA in CD4+ T-cell subsets and monocytes, and to test latent viruses through outgrowth assays. By studying a Ghanaian cohort of 74 virologically suppressed individuals, the study aims to map reservoir characteristics across infection types and understand interactions between HIV-1 and HIV-2. Findings could highlight unique challenges and opportunities for cure approaches in Africa, where diverse HIV subtypes are common.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of HIV reservoirs could guide tailored cure strategies for people in Africa living with HIV-1, HIV-2, or both.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has explored HIV-1 reservoirs; this study is notably among the first to characterize HIV-2 and dual infections in a virologically suppressed population.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Ghana Medical Centre
Accra, Ghana Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bonney, Evelyn Yayra — University of Ghana Medical Centre
- Study coordinator: Bonney, Evelyn Yayra
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.