HIV/AIDS Research & Vaccine Trials in Trinidad: Caribbean Regional Virus Laboratory

HIV/AIDS Research & Vaccine Trials in Trinidad: Caribbean Regional Virus Laboratory

The lead institution for HIV/AIDS research and vaccine trials in Trinidad and Tobago is the Caribbean Regional Virus Laboratory (CRVL), based at the University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine Campus.

Mandate & Affiliations

• Part of CARPHA (Caribbean Public Health Agency).
• WHO Collaborating Centre for HIV/AIDS (since 1989).
• PAHO/WHO reference lab for HIV drug resistance, viral load, early infant diagnosis.

Key Activities

• Surveillance: National HIV sentinel surveillance, incidence estimation.
• Diagnostics: Confirmatory testing, CD4, viral load, resistance genotyping.
• Research: Cohort studies (CARICOM), mother-to-child transmission, comorbidity (TB, HCV).
• Vaccine Trials: Partner in HVTN (HIV Vaccine Trials Network) and IAVI protocols; conducted Phase I/II candidate vaccine studies (e.g., DNA/MVA, gp120 boosters) with Caribbean volunteers.
• Capacity Building: Training lab techs, clinicians across CARICOM.

Regional Impact

CRVL data guide national treatment guidelines, Global Fund grants, and elimination-of-MTCT validation (achieved in several Caribbean states). It remains the scientific backbone of the region’s HIV response.