Using community wastewater to track HIV levels during the COVID-19 pandemic
Feasibility of conducting HIV surveillance in community wastewater
This study is looking at how testing wastewater can help us track HIV levels in communities, especially during tough times like the COVID-19 pandemic, to better understand how the virus spreads and affects people's health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10912789 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how wastewater can be used to monitor HIV levels in communities, particularly during the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. By analyzing samples of wastewater, the study aims to detect HIV-1 nucleic acids, which can provide insights into the incidence of HIV in the population. The research will involve developing methods to quantify HIV in various biological samples and correlating these findings with the health status of individuals living with HIV. Ultimately, this approach seeks to enhance our understanding of HIV transmission trends during a critical public health crisis.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals living with HIV, particularly those in areas affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Not a fit: Patients who are not living with HIV or those who are not in the geographic areas being studied may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could improve public health responses to HIV by providing timely data on infection rates in communities.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using wastewater-based epidemiology for tracking infectious diseases, suggesting this approach could be effective for HIV as well.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Parsonnet, Julie — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Parsonnet, Julie
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.