Using viruses in the blood to spot HIV risk and transmission among people who inject drugs
Leveraging the plasma virome as a biological indicator of HIV risk and transmission networks among people who inject drugs
This project uses patterns of viruses found in blood to identify people who inject drugs who are more likely to get or pass on HIV.
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 ID | NIH-11304478 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You may be asked to give a small blood sample and answer questions about injection practices and contacts. Researchers will sequence the mix of viruses in plasma (the ‘‘virome’’) and look for patterns linked to recent HIV infection and connections between people. They will combine the lab data with information about location and behavior to map transmission networks and provide early warning of outbreaks. The goal is to create tools that help public health teams target prevention and treatment where it's needed most.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people who currently inject drugs and are willing to give blood samples and basic behavioral or contact information.
Not a fit: People who do not inject drugs or who are unwilling to provide blood samples or basic information are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help public health teams find HIV outbreaks earlier and focus prevention and treatment for people who inject drugs, potentially reducing new infections.
How similar studies have performed: Genetic sequencing has been used to map HIV transmission before, but using the whole plasma virome as an early warning signal is a newer and largely untested approach.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- 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 below.