The development of HIV-1 subtype C vaccines for Southern Africa.
One in nine people in South Africa are estimated to be HIV-1 infected, with the majority of these infections being due to HIV-1 subtype C. Until recently, most HIV-1 candidate vaccines were not based on subtype C genes. In response to this epidemic, therefore, the South African AIDS Vaccine Initiative (SAAVI) was established to facilitate the development and testing of candidate HIV-1 subtype C vaccines. The first HIV-1 subtype C candidate vaccine is due to be, tested at the end of 2002, and is based on Venezuelan encephalitis virus replicons expressing Gag protein. The next candidate vaccines to be tested will be DNA and modified vaccinia Ankara vaccines expressing subtype C genes.
Williamson
Anna-Lise
AL
Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa. annalise@curie.uct.ac.za
D016915:AIDS Vaccines; D004666:Encephalitis Virus, Venezuelan Equine / Q000235:genetics; D015683:Gene Products, gag / Q000276:immunology; D015750:Genes, gag / Q000235:genetics*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D013019:South Africa
D016915:AIDS Vaccines; D015683:Gene Products, gag