Epidemiology and Prevention of HIV/AIDS

A special issue of Viruses (ISSN 1999-4915). This special issue belongs to the section "Human Virology and Viral Diseases".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 1345

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
2. Allergy, Clinical Immunology and AIDS Center, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot 7680400, Israel
Interests: HIV clinical care; HIV in older age; HIV and comorbidities; HIV natural course; HIV therapy; immunology in HIV

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
2. Allergy, Clinical Immunology and AIDS Center, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot 7680400, Israel
Interests: HIV clinical care; HIV therapy; immunology in HIV; allergy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The global challenge posed by HIV/AIDS still remains a significant focus of modern medicine and public health policy decades after its first identification. Despite remarkable advances in antiretroviral therapies transforming the disease into a manageable chronic condition for many, the complex dynamics of its epidemiology and prevention present an ever-evolving landscape. This Special Issue of Viruses, entitled "Epidemiology and Prevention of HIV/AIDS", offers a timely and critical examination of the ongoing research defining current strategies.

It highlights innovative research and comprehensive reviews in critical areas such as the molecular epidemiology of evolving viral strains, the challenges of implementing effective pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) programs in diverse populations, and novel biomedical and behavioral interventions aimed at reducing new infections. The selected papers cover a broad spectrum of topics, from advanced bioinformatic analyses of transmission networks to the latest clinical applications of long-acting prevention strategies and community-based intervention models.

Our aim is to synthesize current knowledge, address existing disparities in care and prevention, and inspire future research directions toward the goal of ultimately eradicating this public health threat. We extend our sincere gratitude to all contributing authors and expert reviewers for their invaluable insights and dedication to advancing the mission of Viruses.

Dr. Daniel G. Elbirt
Dr. Keren Mahlab-Guri
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • HIV clinical care
  • HIV prevention
  • HIV in older age
  • HIV and comorbidities

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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12 pages, 833 KB  
Article
Molecular Transmission Dynamics of HIV-1 in Migrant Populations: Transmission Clusters and Demographic Diversity in Hangzhou, a Key Migration Hub in Eastern China
by Sisheng Wu, Ling Ye, Xingliang Zhang, Min Zhu, Wenjie Luo, Zhou Sun, Junfang Chen and Ke Xu
Viruses 2026, 18(3), 365; https://doi.org/10.3390/v18030365 - 16 Mar 2026
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Abstract
Objective: Population mobility complicates the prevention and control of HIV. To address these challenges, this study explored the molecular epidemiology of HIV among migrant populations in Hangzhou. Methods: People newly diagnosed with HIV/AIDS from 2020 to 2023 were divided into permanent migrant population [...] Read more.
Objective: Population mobility complicates the prevention and control of HIV. To address these challenges, this study explored the molecular epidemiology of HIV among migrant populations in Hangzhou. Methods: People newly diagnosed with HIV/AIDS from 2020 to 2023 were divided into permanent migrant population (PMP), temporary migrant population (TMP), and non-migrant population (NMP). HIV-1 pol gene sequencing was performed to calculate genetic distance. Sample pairs with genetic distances ≤0.005 were used to construct the molecular transmission network. Results: PMP comprised people living with HIV in Hangzhou, characterized by younger age, higher education, and predominantly homosexual transmission. This population forms multiple large molecular clusters together with NMP. TMP accounted for the highest proportion of females and people infected through heterosexual contact, but the education level was the lowest. NMP had the fewest people living with HIV. The main subtypes identified were CRF01_AE, CRF07_BC, CRF08_BC and CRF55_01B. Drug resistance prevalence did not differ significantly among the populations. The molecular transmission network included 833 cases forming 275 clusters, with an overall sample inclusion rate of 23.04%. PMP, TMP and NMP inclusion rates were 27.10%, 19.03% and 21.4%, respectively. All molecular clusters involved migrant populations. Factors associated with inclusion in the network for migrants included current residence, household registration, STD history, sample source, and stage at diagnosis. Conclusions: Migrant populations play a major role in ongoing HIV transmission. Prevention and control measures should be strengthened according to population-specific characteristics. Molecular transmission networks are useful tools for assisting precise control. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology and Prevention of HIV/AIDS)
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11 pages, 2926 KB  
Brief Report
Phylogenetic Analysis of an HIV Outbreak in a Dialysis Unit at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Multan, Pakistan
by Syed Faisal Mahmood, Hasnain Javed, Ayesha Shahbaz, Nida Farooqui, Amna Rafique, Zainab Umar and Syed Hani Abidi
Viruses 2026, 18(3), 318; https://doi.org/10.3390/v18030318 - 4 Mar 2026
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Abstract
Background: In Pakistan, the number of Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases is increasing significantly, attributed to risk factors such as injection drug use, sexual transmission, etc. However, transmission through hemodialysis units is not well documented. In 2024, an outbreak of HIV cases in [...] Read more.
Background: In Pakistan, the number of Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases is increasing significantly, attributed to risk factors such as injection drug use, sexual transmission, etc. However, transmission through hemodialysis units is not well documented. In 2024, an outbreak of HIV cases in Multan, Pakistan, drew alarm from local health authorities due to reports linking it to a large public hospital in South Punjab. Here, we report the molecular epidemiological investigation of the outbreak. Methods: Twenty-five hemodialysis patients identified during the outbreak were enrolled. Blood samples were subjected to DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted using the maximum-likelihood approach in IQ-TREE. For dating phylogenetics, a maximum clade credibility tree (MCC) was constructed using the BEAST tool. The MCC tree was constructed using the Bayesian Skyline model with an uncorrelated lognormal relaxed clock. The VESPA program was used to identify amino acid signatures unique to outbreak sequences compared with Pakistani reference sequences. Results: A total of 25 patients (identified as part of the HIV outbreak) were enrolled. 96% (24 out of 25) also tested positive for Hepatitis C, while none tested positive for Hepatitis B. The age range of patients in the study was 23 to 72 years (median age: 44.88 years). In terms of gender distribution, 13 out of 25 were male. All the sequences were identified as HIV subtype CRF02_AG. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Multan sequences formed a well-supported monophyletic cluster, indicating shared recent origin. Signature pattern analysis identified a unique molecular fingerprint at 26 nucleotide positions, whereas molecular dating placed the emergence of the cluster between 2023 and 2024, consistent with the outbreak timing. Conclusions: Findings provide biologically plausible evidence of a point-source HIV outbreak linked to lapses in infection prevention and control practices at the hemodialysis unit. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology and Prevention of HIV/AIDS)
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