HIV: Current Research
Open Access

Abstract

Conventional Vaccine to Prevent AIDS A Paradigm or A Paradox? A SWOT Analysis

Christdas J

AIDS as a disease afflicts mankind for more than 3 decades. HIV, the causative is not yet checked with a prophylactic vaccine. The plausibility of the prevention by conventional prophylactic strategies based on Jenner’s conventional method of inducing memory response is reviewed here. In order to find the right direction towards achieving this goal, a SWOT analysis is represented here with a Venn diagram. Our increasing awareness on the viral genome and the antiviral treatment with the sensitive diagnostic tools strengthen the efforts, while the viral nature privileges its replenishment by hampering the host immune memory. Though antiviral drugs promise a notable degree of control, they render selection pressure favoring viral escapism with perking quasispecies or circulating recombinant forms (CRF). Few historical clinical trials teach us to frame new opportunities for the conduct of such trials that assures safety. The knowledge has exponentially increased on the host immune response, human genetics, retrovirology, drug development, gene delivery system to understand that HIV is the only pathogen that had the greatest consumption of our time and resources. The technological advancements add to our strength. However, the virus with its biological features proves its intrinsic competency for survival. Though the antiviral therapy confers some hope, the resistant forms pose a threat to their continuation. It emphasizes the need for prevention and suggests novel, unconventional prophylaxis. Treatment as a means of prevention and the use of immunomodulators to decrease the disease progression can help us to win the belligerence against AIDS.