HIV vaccines: where are we now?

Reflection for the undergraduate on writing in the portfolio: where are we now and where are we going?

Introduction: The portfolio can be seen as a tool for assessmentof a variety of learning activities that differ in content, usage, andassessment. The portfolio not only meets the learner’s educationalneeds but also the political and public reassurance demand thatthe health professional has achieved the required competency ofthe curriculum that allows him or her to practice safely with orwithout...

A Shot at Dendritic Cell-Based Vaccine Strategy against HIV-1

Introduction: Despite considerable efforts to control AIDS pandemic, it is still one of the significant infectious concerns worldwide. The advance in medical research has led to the development of highly active antiretroviral therapy with a considerable effect to suppress the disease. However, an effective vaccine capable of eradication the HIV pandemic is not available yet. Failure to develop ...

The Elephants in the Room: Sex, HIV, and LGBT Populations in MENA. Intersectionality in Lebanon; Comment on “Improving the Quality and Quantity of HIV Data in the Middle East and North Africa: Key Challenges and Ways Forward”

In response to this insightful editorial, we wish to provide commentary that seeks to highlight recent successes and illuminate the often unspoken hurdles at the intersections of culture, politics, and taboo. We focus on sexual transmission and draw examples from Lebanon, where the pursuit of data in quality and quantity is teaching us lessons about the way forward and where we are experiencing...

The Battle Against COVID-19: Where Do We Stand Now?

Development of bivalent rgp120 vaccines to prevent HIV type 1 infection.

A new generation of "bivalent" gp120-based vaccines, effective against subtype B and subtype E viruses, has been developed. Antisera from rabbits and humans immunized with these vaccines are able to neutralize macrophage tropic and T-cell tropic viruses grown in activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). These vaccines are now available for efficacy trials to determine the role of hu...

Vaccines to Prevent Bacterial Meningitis in Children

Vaccines are among the most effective public health interventions available. Global eradication of smallpox infection, the elimination of polio from the Western hemisphere, and dramatic reductions in diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, rotavirus, hepatitis A and B have all been achieved through immunization programs. The public health impact of well...