Modelling the neuropathological consequences of HIV vaccines that confer partial protection

Background Effective management of peripheral viral loads with antiretroviral drugs can delay or halt CD4 cell loss for decades. However, patients still face the potential of developing significant HIV-1 associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Challenges obtaining relevant clinical samples limit the detailed investigation of the aetiology and neuropathology of HAND and therefore we do not understand the impact of vaccines that confer partial protection on long term neuropathology.