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.
