Researchers at the Ndhlovu Lab, part of the Ragon Institute and the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), have completed a significant study on the safety and practicality of lymph node excisions for HIV cure research in South Africa. The study — led by Ragon faculty member Zaza Ndhlovu, PhD, and published in Frontiers in Immunology — provides critical insights into how these procedures can advance our understanding of HIV reservoirs. HIV reservoirs are groups of HIV-infected cells that can remain latent within the body for months or years but can be reactivated if a patient’s treatment with antiretroviral therapy (ART) is stopped.

The Ndhlovu Lab paper, titled “Safety and practicality of an excisional lymph node study driving HIV cure research in South Africa,” discusses how the researchers successfully conducted 181 lymph node excisions since 2015. These procedures were minimally invasive and performed under local anesthesia, minimizing risk and discomfort for the participants. The small incisions healed within a week, and most participants were able to resume normal activities the following day. The study reported only a 5.5% occurrence of minor adverse events, such as swelling or prolonged wound healing, all of which were resolved within two weeks.

This study is particularly significant because lymph nodes are critical sites where HIV persists in the body, even during ART. By obtaining lymph node tissues, researchers can better understand the dynamics of HIV reservoirs and immune responses within these tissues. This understanding is crucial for developing strategies to eliminate these reservoirs and achieve a functional cure for HIV.