Pilot Award

Chlamydia pneumoniae and Chlamydia trachomatis are obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens that are important causes of human infections for which no vaccine exists. C. pneumoniae is responsible for ~10% of respiratory tract infections. C. trachomatis serovars D-K are the leading cause of bacterial sexually transmitted infections and preventable infertility in the US. Serovars A-C are associated with trachoma, the leading cause of non-congenital blindness in developing nations.

Chlamydia pneumoniae and Chlamydia trachomatis are obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens that are important causes of human infections for which no vaccine exists. C. pneumoniae is responsible for ~10% of respiratory tract infections. C. trachomatis serovars D-K are the leading cause of bacterial sexually transmitted infections and preventable infertility in the US. Serovars A-C are associated with trachoma, the leading cause of non-congenital blindness in developing nations.

HIV continues to impose a heavy burden on pediatric care services in sub-Saharan Africa, where 90% of the estimated 630,000 HIV-infected children receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) live. The availability of ART has resulted in increasing numbers of HIV-infected infants surviving to older childhood, and respiratory conditions are the leading cause of death in this group. Recently, a novel form of chronic lung disease (CLD) has been described that may affect up to one-third of children aged 10 years and older in HIV care in Southern Africa.

HIV continues to impose a heavy burden on pediatric care services in sub-Saharan Africa, where 90% of the estimated 630,000 HIV-infected children receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) live. The availability of ART has resulted in increasing numbers of HIV-infected infants surviving to older childhood, and respiratory conditions are the leading cause of death in this group. Recently, a novel form of chronic lung disease (CLD) has been described that may affect up to one-third of children aged 10 years and older in HIV care in Southern Africa.

Preliminary data from pregnant women in rural Kenya indicate that fear of violence from a male partner is an important reason why some women refuse HIV testing, and that pregnant women who test HIV-positive or refuse testing may be more likely to be victims of violence. In response to these findings, we aim to develop an intervention on gender-based violence (GBV) for health workers who provide HIV-related services to pregnant women in this setting.

Preliminary data from pregnant women in rural Kenya indicate that fear of violence from a male partner is an important reason why some women refuse HIV testing, and that pregnant women who test HIV-positive or refuse testing may be more likely to be victims of violence. In response to these findings, we aim to develop an intervention on gender-based violence (GBV) for health workers who provide HIV-related services to pregnant women in this setting.

The majority of the global HIV epidemic is occurring in sub-Saharan Africa, where the main route of transmission is heterosexual intercourse. An understanding of factors impacting transmission risk is necessary for effective prevention strategies, especially in countries such as Kenya, where the majority of infected individuals are in relationships with HIV-negative partners. One of the factors thought to be associated with sexual transmission is the presence and quantity of HIV-1 in the genital tract.

The majority of the global HIV epidemic is occurring in sub-Saharan Africa, where the main route of transmission is heterosexual intercourse. An understanding of factors impacting transmission risk is necessary for effective prevention strategies, especially in countries such as Kenya, where the majority of infected individuals are in relationships with HIV-negative partners. One of the factors thought to be associated with sexual transmission is the presence and quantity of HIV-1 in the genital tract.