Using wastewater to find areas with high HIV rates
Official title: Wastewater Sampling: A New Tool to Accelerate Ending the HIV Epidemic
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-10930110 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to find out where HIV is spreading in communities by testing wastewater, which could help connect people who need care to the right treatment without the usual barriers like stigma or access to healthcare.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $761,163 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA059394-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10930110 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals living in areas with high HIV prevalence, particularly those who may be undiagnosed or not receiving treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are already receiving effective treatment for HIV and have achieved viral suppression may not benefit directly from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of wastewater sampling as a novel method to identify communities with high levels of circulating HIV. By analyzing wastewater from various collection sites, researchers aim to detect and quantify the presence of HIV in real-time, which can help link unsuppressed individuals to necessary care and treatment. The approach is designed to be unbiased and comprehensive, overcoming barriers such as healthcare access and stigma. The study builds on successful methods used during the COVID-19 pandemic to monitor viral activity in communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the identification and treatment of individuals with unsuppressed HIV, ultimately helping to reduce new infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has successfully utilized wastewater sampling to monitor COVID-19, indicating that this innovative approach may also be effective for tracking HIV.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Giordano, Thomas P — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Giordano, Thomas P
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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.