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The Development of HIV‐1 Subtype C Vaccines for Southern Africa
Author(s) -
Williamson AnnaLise
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
iubmb life
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.132
H-Index - 113
eISSN - 1521-6551
pISSN - 1521-6543
DOI - 10.1080/15216540212648
Subject(s) - virology , modified vaccinia ankara , aids vaccines , candidate gene , vaccinia , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , replicon , hiv vaccine , biology , gene , group specific antigen , genome , vaccine trial , genetics , recombinant dna
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.