Select publications
We present ten publications from 2025 that exemplify AIGHD's drive for cross-disciplinary knowledge, impactful science, and high-quality research.
Precise targeting of HIV broadly neutralizing antibody precursors in humans
Fellows involved: Godelieve de Bree & Rogier Sanders.
Intense research efforts are focused on the development of a human vaccine to prevent HIV infection. However, a preventative HIV vaccine has been challenging to develop for several reasons. The study reports on a human phase 1 clinical trial that uses a germline-targeting strategy for inducing HIV broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) against the conserved CD4-binding site and the trimer apex. Most vaccine recipients induced the desired precursor B cells for bnAbs. These bnAb precursor responses were structurally extremely similar to existing bnAbs, so the study provides proof of concept for atomic precision vaccination in humans.
Feasibility, challenges, and lessons learned in implementing antiretroviral adherence club models in Northern Tanzania
Fellows involved: Ramadhani Abdul, Tobias Rinke de Wit & Sabine Hermans
In Tanzania, nearly 1.6 million adults were living with HIV in 2022, with an HIV prevalence rate of 4.4%. We piloted community health worker-managed adherence clubs in two clinics in Shinyanga, Tanzania. We previously demonstrated better stability in care and improved treatment adherence following the establishment of clubs. This study evaluated referral back to the facility, feasibility, and challenges to inform potential scale-up.
The opportunities for and barriers to antimicrobial resistance surveillance by lot quality assurance sampling in livestock
Fellows involved: Christopher Pell & Constance Schultsz
Streptococcus suis, a zoonotic bacterial pathogen circulated through swine, can cause severe infections in humans. Because human S. suis infections are not notifiable in most countries, incidence is underestimated. We aimed to increase insight into the molecular epidemiology of human S. suis infections in Europe. To procure data, we surveyed 7 reference laboratories and performed a systematic review of the scientific literature. We identified 236 cases of human S. suis infection from those sources, and an additional 87 through scanning grey literature. The emergence of diverse zoonotic clades and the notable severity of illness in humans support classifying S. suis infection as a notifiable condition.
Rapid development of an online tracker to communicate the human impact of abruptly halting PEPFAR support
Fellows involved: Brooke Nichols
On 24 January 2025, the global HIV community was confronted with the abrupt announcement that the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a programme with longstanding bipartisan support, would be paused for 90 days following an executive order to halt all foreign aid. For the over 20 million individuals worldwide receiving HIV treatment through PEPFAR-supported programmes, the potential consequences were severe and immediate. To provide a rapid assessment, we undertook a near-real-time modelling effort. Our focus was on answering the most pressing question – the potential health consequences of this funding pause – using the most parsimonious model possible.
Costs and outcomes of routine HIV oral pre-exposure prophylaxis implementation across different service delivery models and key populations in South Africa
Fellows involved: Mariet Benade, Cheryl Hendrickson & Brooke Nichols
Despite several service delivery models that aim to improve uptake and persistence of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in sub-Saharan Africa, the full costs of daily oral PrEP provision in routine care settings remain largely unknown. We aimed to evaluate outcomes and costs of daily oral PrEP delivery among key and priority populations at in-facility and community outreach programmes in South Africa.
The potential of digital loans to reduce gender disparities in financial inclusion among female health entrepreneurs in Kenya
Fellows involved: Tobias Rinke de Wit, Charlotte Dieteren & Wendy Janssens
In Sub-Saharan Africa, female entrepreneurs are well represented in healthcare but struggle to access financial services. Digital financing technologies could help close this gap. This study assessed the readiness, perspectives and gender disparities in (digital) loan characteristics among Kenyan health small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Trust beyond borders: European external regulatory influence on access to medicines
Fellows involved: Pramiti Parwani, Katrina Perehudoff & Anniek de Ruijter
European institutions are widely recognised as wielding regulatory power in a globalised market, exporting their standards across borders and between sectors. This paper asks what institutional dynamics catalyse European external regulatory impact on pharmaceutical governance in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The research focuses on two European regulatory bodies, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the European Patent Office (EPO), and explores the dynamics of their technocratic outreach beyond European borders. We find that trust is a key underlying institutional dynamic facilitating some forms of European external relations.
Ensuring pharmaceutical accountability for human rights and access to medicines
Fellows involved: Katrina Perehudoff
To effectively protect the human right to health, the global accountability gap for pharmaceutical companies regarding access to medicines must be addressed. Pharmaceutical companies have no formal obligations under human rights law; however, they do have responsibilities, and some companies (directly or indirectly) undermine the right to health and equitable access to medicines. We propose that pharmaceutical companies can be held accountable for human rights interferences by means of a provision in Dutch tort law containing an "unwritten duty of care".
Implementing the IMPALA continuous monitoring system for paediatric critical care in Malawi
Fellows involved: Job Calis, Wendy Janssens, Christopher Pell & Michael Boele van Hensbroek
Continuous monitoring of critically ill children is essential for the timely identification of deteriorating vital signs. However, monitoring is often intermittent in low-resource settings, affecting the quality of care. This study assessed the implementation barriers and facilitators of a locally adapted, robust, low-cost continuous monitoring system (IMPALA) in Malawi.
Perceptions of respiratory tract infections and their implications for disease prevention practices among older adults in Mysuru, India
Fellows involved: Jantine van Wijlick & Christopher Pell
Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) remain an important cause of mortality and morbidity, particularly among older adults. Because of India’s rapidly growing older adult population, RTIs are likely to become an even greater public health issue and implementing effective preventive strategies will be crucial. Using relatable medical terms when providing information about RTI prevention and the possibility of taking a holistic approach towards prevention and healthy ageing, including diet, vaccination and non-pharmaceutical practices, means that those are more likely to resonate among the targets.