HIV

The HIV epidemic began in the 1980s, leading to the deaths of millions worldwide. Since then, the global HIV response has advanced significantly. With access to care, HIV is no longer fatal, but the virus still poses a challenge for health and wellbeing around the world.

HIV prevention and treatment

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a highly effective medication taken to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV. It's been widely available in Australia since 2016 and can be taken as a daily pill or around the time of sex (on-demand). There's also PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis), which is taken within 72 hours of potential exposure to the virus.

PrEP has been used by more than 80,000 Australians and its widespread uptake has led to major reductions in new HIV infections among gay and bisexual men over the past decade.

Through antiretroviral treatment (ART), people living with HIV can reduce their viral load until the virus is virtually undetectable. This protects them from AIDS-related disease and death. Once HIV is at undetectable levels, it can't be transmitted.

HIV around the world

Despite progress, treatment and care remain inaccessible for many. In 2023, more than a million people worldwide became newly infected with HIV. In the same year, more than 500,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses. Cases persist in many parts of the world where it's difficult to access prevention, testing and treatment. This includes Sub-Saharan Africa, where young women accounted for most new HIV cases in 2023.

Recently, HIV infections have increased substantially in the Pacific. In Fiji and Papua New Guinea, cases have risen in recent years due to decreases in funding and new networks of transmission through injecting drug use.

HIV discrimination

Stigma and discrimination are major problems. In the 1980s, HIV and AIDS became associated with inaccurate racist, homophobic and xenophobic ideas. Today, people living with HIV continue to face bias and mistreatment. These issues can occur within healthcare as well as the workplace, social sphere and legal system. Existing inequalities, and social and political context, make it harder for people living with HIV to get the care they need.

HIV cure

At the moment, there is no universal cure for HIV. This makes it all the more important that people living with HIV are able to access treatment and care.

At Burnet, we’re working to find a cure for HIV. 

Inventing a new monitoring test for HIV

Our researchers created the world's first equipment-free point-of-care CD4 test. CD4-positive cells are a type of white blood cell that reveals the effect of HIV. With the VISITECT® CD4 test, people living with HIV in hard-to-access regions can benefit from this transportable, low-cost test. Since 2020, the test has been approved by the World Health Organization for global use.

Discovering new ways to treat HIV

Our lab researchers have screened more than 600 'fragments', or tiny chemicals, to develop new antiviral treatments for HIV. Because viruses can mutate and adapt, we need ongoing research to update HIV drugs. With partners in industry and academia, we've developed therapeutics that target drug-resistant HIV.

Using lactic acid to prevent HIV

By examining bacteria and microorganisms that live in the vagina (‘vaginal microbiome’), our researchers discovered that lactic acid can reduce risk of HIV. Lactic acid, produced by a group of healthy bacteria, reduces genital inflammation and can kill viruses. It can act as a barrier against sexually transmitted infections. We're looking at ways this knowledge can be implemented using medications like gels.

Establishing community-led HIV testing in Victoria

In 2013, we worked with the Victorian AIDS Council (now Thorne Harbour Health) and Victorian Government to launch the PRONTO! service. It's Australia's first shop-front, peer-led HIV testing service for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, and trans and gender diverse people. Since our trial, it's been established as an integral part of community health in Victoria.

Monitoring HIV treatment and health in Australia and Myanmar

Since 2008, we've partnered with the Kirby Institute and NRL Quality to lead the ACCESS surveillance network. Working with more than 100 clinics across Australia, this network tracks how HIV is tested and treated. This allows us to monitor progress toward HIV elimination. Through this network, we contribute data for national HIV surveillance reports.

We’ve also piloted an HIV sentinel surveillance network in Myanmar, to monitor the progress of individuals through HIV testing and treatment across a network of community and government services.

Developing free-to-use economic tools for HIV intervention

Our researchers used data modelling to create Optima HIV. This tool helps governments and agencies determine how to best use their resources to tackle HIV. Launched in 2012, it's since been used in countries across Europe, Asia, Africa and America.