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Research
The
Division considers research a major part of its mission, and
conducts extensive clinical and basic research with emphasis on
clinical trials of antiviral and antiretroviral agents, and basic
research into the pathogenesis of viral infections.
Clinical trials of
antiviral and antiretroviral agents are conducted for the AIDS
Clinical Trials Group as well as under pharmaceutical industry
sponsorship. Basic investigations into the pathogenesis of HIV
infection and AIDS include studies regarding: (1) The mechanisms of
neurologic disease; (2) Macrophage and lymphocyte tropism; (3) The
resistance of the virus to antiretroviral agents; (4) The effects of
HIV on human stem and progenitor cells; and (5) The role of CD8
positive T cells in HIV pathogenesis.
Several other areas
of investigation are actively being pursued in regard to the
molecular biology and pathogenesis of virus infections including:
(1) Immunopathogenic mechanisms that allow recurrence of respiratory
syncytial virus (RSV) infection despite immunity; (2) The molecular
biology and pathogenesis of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections,
including studies of EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disease and
oral hairy leukoplakia; (3) The pathogenesis of burn-related
susceptibility to herpes simplex virus infection; and (4) The
immunogenetic basis for differential susceptibilities of human
lymphocytes from different donors to viral infection
Healthcare
Epidemiology investigations include studies of nosocomial pneumonia
in patients on mechanical ventilation, vancomycin-resistant
entericocci (VRE), methicillin- resistant Staphlococcus aureus
(MRSA), and the epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance in the
hospital.
The research
studies of the Division are supported both by the National
Institutes of Health (grants and contracts) and by many
pharmaceutical companies, with several million dollars in support
from each type of source.
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