Using blood samples to understand HIV risk among people who inject drugs
Official title: Leveraging the plasma virome as a biological indicator of HIV risk and transmission networks among people who inject drugs
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11055464 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain viruses in the blood can help us understand and reduce the risk of HIV spreading among people who inject drugs, so we can create better ways to keep everyone safe and healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $716,523 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA058567-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11055464 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who inject drugs and are at risk of HIV infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not inject drugs or are not at risk of HIV infection may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the plasma virome, which consists of viruses present in blood, can serve as a biological indicator for assessing the risk of HIV transmission among people who inject drugs (PWID). By analyzing blood samples from PWID, the study aims to identify patterns and networks of HIV transmission, which can help in tailoring prevention strategies. The approach focuses on understanding the unique viral signatures in the blood of individuals at high risk, thereby providing insights into effective public health interventions. The research is crucial for developing early warning systems to prevent HIV outbreaks in vulnerable populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing HIV transmission among high-risk groups, ultimately reducing the incidence of HIV infections.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in using biological indicators to predict HIV risk, making this approach promising yet still innovative in its specific application to PWID.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kandathil, Abraham — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Kandathil, Abraham
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.