Largest Test of HIV Prevention Theory Includes 40,000
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Researchers plan to test about 40,000 South Africans for HIV in the biggest trial yet of a theory for halting transmission of the AIDS-causing virus.
In a five-year study set to start this year, scientists from France and South Africa will screen everyone in 30 South African regions, said Bernard Hirschel, head of the HIV-AIDS unit of Geneva University Hospital in Switzerland. In half the regions, they’ll start treatment immediately for those who test positive. In the other half, they’ll wait until the patients’ immune systems deteriorate to a certain level, Hirschel said.