HIV Research Laboratory
About the Lab
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the immune system, making it difficult for the body to fight off infections and certain cancers. Without treatment, HIV can advance to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is recommended for everyone who has HIV and must be taken daily to prevent HIV from advancing to AIDS. There is currently no cure for HIV, but ART allows people with HIV to live long and healthy lives and reduces the risk of transmitting HIV to others.
The Children’s National Hospital Special Immunology Services (SIS), within the Division of Infectious Diseases, has been around since the early 1980s and has consistently received funding support from Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, a federally funded program that supports comprehensive care for people living with HIV. Special Immunology Services participates in multicenter clinical trials and other research such as a joint project with George Washington University funded by the District of Columbia Center for AIDS Research (DC CFAR) and other research studies within the Clinical and Translational Science Institute at Children’s National. Our research focuses on investigating novel therapeutics for children and adolescents with HIV, identifying ways to improve management of children and young adults with HIV, and increasing awareness of pre-exposure prophylaxis against HIV to contribute to ending the HIV epidemic in the United States.
-
Lab Focus Areas
Vital pharmacokinetics data for the safe and effective use of antiretroviral drugs used by children with HIV Maternal and child health for improved care of women and children living with or exposed to HIV Increasing HIV screening in the Emergency Department at Children’s National Hospital Understanding perceptions that adolescents and caregivers have regarding pre-exposure prophylaxis against HIV
- Contact
Featured Publications
-
Prevention of perinatal HIV transmission in an area of high HIV prevalence in the United States
Koay WLA, Zhang J, Manepalli KV, et al. J Pediatr. 01; 228: 101-109 January (2020) -
Digital gaming to improve adherence among adolescents and young adults living with HIV: mixed-methods study to test feasibility and acceptability
Castel AD, Qasmieh S, Greenberg D, et al. JMIR Serious Games (JSG) 6(4):e10213 October (2018) -
Interruptions of antiretroviral therapy in children and adolescents with HIV infection in clinical practice
Rakhmanina N, Lam SK, Hern J, et al. J. Int. AIDS Soc. 19(1): 20936 (2016) -
Safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics of a single-tablet regimen containing Elvitegravir, Cobicistat, Emtricitabine and Tenofovir Alafenamide (E/C/F/TAF) in treatment-naïve HIV-infected adolescents
Rhee M, Gaur AH, Kizit H, et al. Lancet HIV 3(12): e561-e568 (2016) -
Factors affecting acceptance of routine HIV screening by adolescents in pediatric emergency departments
Rakhmanina N, Messenger N, Phillips II G, et al. J. Adolesc. Health 54(2):176-82 (2014)
