The Africa Centre Virology Laboratory is situated in the Doris Duke Medical Research Institute at the Nelson R. Mandela Medical School of Medicine in Durban. The laboratory was established in 2001 to support the AC as well as to conduct research on the transmission, genetic evolution and immune pathogenesis of HIV-1 subtype C viruses. Current studies include longitudinal HIV-1 surveillance in the Hlabisa district, a Microbicide Development Project which evaluates Pro2000’s efficacy to prevent sexually acquired HIV infection in women, the Vertical Transmission Study on exclusive breastfeeding, a WHO-funded trial (Kesho Bora), which aims to assess the efficacy of HAART in reducing the risk of postnatal transmission of HIV-1 through breastfeeding, as well as to determine immunological and virological factors associated with transmission of HIV-1 through breastfeeding. In addition, there is a developing research agenda to support the clinical HIV/ART programme which is being rolled out in the AC area.
In addition to conducting investigator-driven research and providing postgraduate research training, the laboratory serves as a core facility to:
1. receive, process and catalogue specimens;
2. perform specialized, quality-assured virological and immunological analyses for antiretroviral research trials;
3. develop, validate and standardize new clinically-relevant assays, and
4. participate in protocol development and review processes.
The unit consists of a fully equipped tissue culture/PCR/sequencing facility that contains all of the equipment needed to support most clinical trial requirements. Technologies available include a wide range of antibody EIAs and flow cytometry and cloning applications. Qualitative and quantitative real-time assays for DNA and RNA detection of HIV-1 and a variety of other viruses are in use or currently being developed for plasma, dried blood spots (DBS), tissue biopsy and breast milk samples. The laboratory participates in national and international proficiency panels/surveys and new employees are thoroughly trained and tested for competency.
The AC has developed steadily since its launch in 1998 and is now firmly established within the College of Health Sciences at the University of KwaZulu Natal. The AC Governance Committee is chaired by the Vice-Chancellor and includes the Deputy-VC and head of College of Health Sciences, and senior Finance and Human Resources representatives, as well as members of the MRC. All AC staff are appointed through UKZN and scientific staff are eligible for academic appointments at the University.
The over-arching research priorities at the Africa Centre are to rapidly inform the development of interventions aimed to reduce the incidence of HIV, and to improve the HIV-related service provision through increased understanding of the effect and impact of the HIV epidemic at an individual and population level. Ultimately, this research will result in development and evaluation of interventions, which will aim to keep HIV negative people negative, healthy people healthy and HIV infected people optimally cared for.
In partnership with the local Department of Health, the Centre has initiated a large HIV monitoring and ARV treatment programme, which provides the basis for specific epidemiological and clinical research, the value of which will be further enriched by linking the HIV and ARV data with the demographic surveillance data at an individual level. This will allow evaluation of the impact of antiretroviral therapy on an individual as well as population level, and address issues relating to optimising HIV service and care delivery.