Page 94 - SAMRC Annual Report 2024-2025

HIV-TB Pathogenesis and
Treatment Research Unit

Unit director:
Prof. Salim S. Abdool Karim
salim.abdoolkarim@caprisa.org

Advancing Research Priorities: Key Milestones and Achievements
Strategic Objectives and Impact Unit Director Prof. Salim Abdool Karim was
The top priority of CAPRISA's HIV TB-HIV pathogenesis honoured with the 2024 Lasker-Bloomberg Public
and Treatment Research Unit is to reduce HIV- Service Award for his groundbreaking HIV/AIDS
associated tuberculosis mortality. The strategic goals research in South Africa. Prof. Abdool Karim's
and objectives of the unit are incorporated in an pioneering work in HIV prevention, treatment, and
epidemiologic research approach that includes: advocacy has globally impacted AIDS programmes
and saved millions of lives. He also received the
Goal 1: Michael Faraday Prize and Lecture 2024 from the
Addressing high TB mortality. The HARVEST Study Royal Society, recognising his exceptional ability to
evaluates high-dose rifampicin for reducing mortality communicate complex scientific ideas to the public.
in patients with TB meningitis.
Prof. Naidoo was appointed Vice Chair of the
Goal 2: Tuberculosis Transformative Science Group of
Improving DR-TB treatment outcomes: The CAPRISA the NIH Advancing Clinical Therapeutics Globally
TRiAD and ADAP-TIV studies aim to reduce DR-TB Tuberculosis (ACTG). This influential role significantly
mortality and enhance therapeutic outcomes through strengthens the unit's strategic involvement in
expedited DR-TB diagnosis and optimized treatment. global TB research, advancing science, TB vaccine
development, fostering international collaborations
Goal 3: and facilitating the advancement of clinical TB
To identify novel strategies for TB control and therapeutics. This science group plays a crucial role
prevention. The TARGET TB study aims to identify in the global fight against TB, with the potential
TB transmission hotspots while several TB vaccine to save countless lives and shape future treatment
studies currently implemented such as the,
CommuniTB, BNT164-02, MTBVAC and ID93 studies
aims to advance TB disease prevention.

Goal 4:
Develop a framework for Long-COVID through a
deeper understanding of pathogenesis and long-
term sequelae of SARS-CoV2.

Goal 5:
Conduct basic science research to understand
immunologic and microbiologic correlations of HIV-
associated TB risk and outcomes. Goal 6- Generate
evidence to impact TB and HIV policies and treatment
guidelines. WHO, SANAC, TAC, ARUA, tertiary Caprisa showcase projects at G20 meeting.
institutions, NCAC, NSP, and government sectors.

92 SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2024-25