ICMR 'Thrust areas of HIV/AIDS research' in India

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum members,

If you are interested in HIV/AIDS related research issues in India,

the following list of 'Thrust areas of HIV/AIDS research' prepared by

the Indian council of Medical Research (ICMR) may be of your

interest. This list is a valuable guideline for HIV/AIDS related bio-

medical research. Particular appreciation has to on record as ICMR is

taking research initiatives on HIV-TB synergy.

However, as ICMR is the apex body of HIV/AIDS research in India,

policy makers, social scientists, public health researchers and NACO

should note; ICMR list demonstrates a lack of understanding about the

need for research on 'Social determinants and consequences of

HIV/AIDS in India'. This will have long term policy and program

implications.

Will NACO take leadershp to develop an HIV social research agenda? [Moderator]

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ICMR " THRUST AREAS OF RESEARCH "

HIV/AIDS

·Develop HIV/AIDS vaccines using different approaches.

·Immunological studies to define immunotypes.

·Mucosal immune response.

·Clinico-pathological progression of HIV infected persons in various

sub-populations.

·Develop cost-effective treatment algorithms.

·Natural history of TB in HIV positive individuals.

·Evaluate efficacy of vaginal microbicides and female condoms.

·Prevention of HIV transmission in HIV discordant couples.

·Epidemiology of mother to child transmission and assess feasibility

of interventions.

·Prevalence and incidence studies of HIV infection using novel

methods.

·STD profile in different regions of the country and drug resistance

pattern of pathogens.

HIV-TB

Epidemiology

·Natural history in HIV infected individuals to determine the

prevalence and incidence of HIV-TB.

·Cross sectional cohort study, to correlate incidence of TB in HIV

positive patients.

·Screening for TB in HIV positive autopsy cases.

Clinical Research

·Studies on clinical presentations of the disease.

·Assess the efficacy of DOTS in HIV-TB patients both in terms of

response to therapy and side effects.

·Formulate new, non-DOTS regimens to achieve greater efficacy.

·Determine the rate at which the relapses and reinfections occur in

treated patients.

Prevention Studies

·Studies on chemoprophylaxis against TB in HIV positives.

·Studies on mortality in HIV positive TB patients on treatment.

·The role of antibacterial chemoprophylaxis in prevention of

opportunistic infection and in reduction of mortality.

Operational Research

·Surveillance for drug resistance patterns.

Basic & Applied Research

· Immunological parameters for progress and therapy in HIV-TB

infection.

·Immunological parameters for studies in HIV-TB patients in

HIV vaccine trials.

·Studies on HLA-MHC susceptibilities.

·Immunological studies on population genetics vs infection.

·Studies on characterisation of Langerhan cells, elucidation of

duration of long-term memory and resolve issues on cellular

immunity.

·Development of combined HIV-TB vaccine.

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Mental Health

HIV and mental health

Adolescent Health

Prevalence of STIs/HIV infection among adolescents.

Hospital based Research

Epidemiology of transmission of HIV through breast milk.

Traditional Medicine

Validation of traditional knowledge in the area of HIV/AIDS.

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