Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Tuberculosis (TB) co-infections have been called the “deadly duo” and both HIV and TB, by themselves, are global health pandemics. 1.7 billion people are latently infected with TB and this leads to 1.6 million deaths per year (WHO). 38 million people are living with HIV and there are 690,000 deaths per year (WHO). Globally. there is significant overlap between the geographical areas with the highest incidence of HIV and TB, which leads to a high prevalence of co-infections. TB is the leading cause of death in people with HIV and co-infection greatly worsens both TB and HIV disease outcomes. Many of the deleterious effects of co-infection are thought to be due to the action of these pathogens on the immune system. Co-infection is difficult to study in traditional animal models as HIV is only able to infect human immune cells.

 

We are currently developing and characterizing an HIV/TB co-infection model in next-generation humanized mice. We will use this model to understand immune responses in co-infection and to develop effective vaccines and therapies that can decrease the mortality rates and health burden of this co-infection.