spacer

CDC HomeHIV/AIDS > Topics

  Topics
space
arrow African Americans
space
arrow Basic Information
space
arrow Funding
space
arrow Global HIV/AIDS
space
arrow Hispanics/Latinos
space
arrow Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM)
space
arrow Statistics & Surveillance
space
arrow Testing
space
arrow Women
space
arrow More Topics...
space
  Resources by Format
space
arrow Questions & Answers
space
arrow Fact Sheets
space
arrow Brochures
space
arrow Slide Sets
space
arrow Podcasts
space
arrow Software
space
arrow Journal Articles
space
arrow Reports
space
arrow Recommendations & Guidelines
space
arrow Other Documents
space
LEGEND:
PDF Icon   Link to a PDF document
Non-CDC Web Link   Link to non-governmental site and does not necessarily represent the views of the CDC
Adobe Acrobat (TM) Reader needs to be installed on your computer in order to read documents in PDF format. Download the Reader.
spacer spacer
spacer
Skip Nav spacer
Research
spacer
spacer
Research Summaries
Prevention Research
Diagnostic Research
Vaccine Research
Biomedical Research
Other Research

Research Summaries

Prevention Research

Spotlight: Safe in the City Video InterventionSafe in the City
This video-based, waiting room intervention lowers STD incidence among STD clinic patients by nearly 10%.
  • HIV/AIDS Prevention Research Synthesis (PRS) Project
    The Prevention Research Synthesis Project identifies evidence-based HIV behavioral interventions and provide information to help HIV prevention planners and providers in the U.S. select interventions most appropriate for their communities.
  • Project START
    Project START was a multi-site research study comparing the efficacy of 2 HIV, STD, and hepatitis prevention interventions focused on young men recently released from prison.
  • Project RESPECT
    Project RESPECT was a national study evaluating the efficacy of HIV prevention counseling in changing high risk sexual behaviors and preventing new sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV.
  • RESPECT-2
    RESPECT-2 is a research study that compares different forms of HIV testing and risk-reduction counseling in clients at sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics in the United States (U.S.).

Go to top

Diagnostic Research

Since November 2002, the Food and Drug Administration has approved 4 rapid HIV tests. These tests offer many advantages over conventional HIV blood tests. Sample collection is easier (for example, from a finger prick or oral fluid), and they are easy to use outside of traditional laboratories so they are suitable for doctors’ offices and community and outreach settings. Perhaps the biggest benefit of rapid tests is their ability to give results in 30 minutes or less. because test results are available quickly, rapid HIV tests dramatically increase the number of people who get tested and find out their results that day. This represents a significant public health achievement because those who know they are infected with HIV can get treatment. Evidence also shows that persons who know they are infected adopt changes that dramatically reduce their risk of transmitting the virus to others.

Rapid HIV tests also help further reduce the number of infected infants born to HIV-infected mothers. HIV transmission from mother to infant can be decreased by almost half if antiretroviral treatment is started during labor.

CDC is involved in many areas of rapid HIV testing, such as the following:

  • Evaluating the accuracy of rapid tests
  • Providing training on rapid tests
  • Publishing information in the scientific literature
  • Maintaining an updated Web site
  • Helping other federal agencies introduce rapid HIV testing into their projects
  • Funding demonstration projects

In 2003, CDC funded 21 health departments and CBOs for 2-year demonstration projects for rapid HIV tests. These awards are used for incorporating rapid testing into routine medical care, partner counseling and referral services, short-stay correctional facilities, nonclinical settings, and social networks. These projects have shown that rapid tests are an important part of HIV prevention efforts.

Visit the rapid testing section of this Web site for more information.

Go to top

Vaccine Research

The intervention most anticipated by everyone working to stop the HIV/AIDS epidemic is a vaccine to prevent infection. CDC is no stranger to vaccine development (considering its experience with other vaccines such as measles, hepatitis b, polio, and smallpox), but developing an HIV vaccine presents unique challenges. For example, it is critical that no one (whether involved in the studies or not) abandon safer sexual and drug-related behaviors proven to prevent HIV infection. Overall, vaccine development must not endanger progress already made in HIV prevention.

Until a vaccine is available, and even afterwards, we must continue to reinforce the already proven methods of HIV prevention.

CDC’s HIV vaccine research focuses on conducting and evaluating HIV vaccine trials in the United States and elsewhere. CDC played an important role in the world’s first 2 efficacy trials of HIV vaccine candidates. Although the results indicated that the vaccines were not effective in reducing the risk for HIV infection, the trials provided critical information that will guide future research on HIV vaccines. Through an agreement with the National Institutes of Health and through membership in the Partnership for AIDS Vaccine Evaluation, CDC is currently contributing to the US government’s effort to develop a safe and effective HIV vaccine.

Go to top

Biomedical Research

Microbicides - CDC is actively involved in research to identify and test potential HIV microbicides. Microbicides are gels, creams, or suppositories that can kill or neutralize viruses and bacteria. When applied in the vagina before sexual intercourse, they can protect against some sexually transmitted diseases. A safe, effective, and affordable microbicide against HIV could help to prevent many new infections.

Drugs to Prevent HIV (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis) - CDC is conducting studies to test antiretroviral agents. These drugs will be tested for safety, tolerance, and effectiveness when used by people at risk before exposure to HIV. Clinical trials began in 2005. Finding drugs that effectively prevent HIV without increasing drug resistance could significantly affect HIV prevention strategies.

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis

Go to top

Other Research

Go to top

Last Modified: August 11, 2008
Last Reviewed: August 11, 2008
Content Source:
Divisions of HIV/AIDS Prevention
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
spacer
spacer
spacer
Home | Policies and Regulations | Disclaimer | e-Government | FOIA | Contact Us
spacer
spacer
spacer Safer, Healthier People
spacer
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348, 24 Hours/Every Day - cdcinfo@cdc.gov
spacer USA.gov: The U.S. Government's Official Web PortalDHHS Department of Health
and Human Services