The GHESKIO Laboratory provides support to all areas of research conducted in the field of infectious diseases, particularly HIV, TB, diarrheal and sexually transmitted diseases. As a result of major efforts undertaken to curb the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the national HIV prevalence has decreased to less than 2%. For two decades AIDS was the leading cause of death. It is now the 7th cause of mortality. Cardiovascular diseases are now the first cause of mortality in Haiti accounting for 28% of all deaths. In 2018 GHESKIO obtained its first NIH grant to determine the epidemiology of hypertension in Haiti. The GHESKIO Laboratory is providing lab support for this study.
Prior to the AIDS epidemic, the early research protocols were aimed at the identification of the causative agents of infantile diarrhea and the introduction of oral rehydration therapy. This intervention led to the adoption of oral rehydration therapy nationwide and the subsequent drastic reduction in infant mortality due to diarrhea and dehydration.
Our laboratory has participated in the evaluation of HIV and syphilis rapid testing and developed a comprehensive and rapid testing algorithm. We participated in the validation of the National Algorithm for HIV screening in collaboration with the National Public Health Laboratory and the support of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). As part of on-going research activities, significant efforts have been made to strengthen the quality control and quality assurance program at the GHESKIO laboratory.
GHESKIO has conducted clinical trials with various research networks and funding agencies over the past 40 years:
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded network trials: HIV Vaccine Trial Network (HVTN), Adult Clinical Trial Group (ACTG) and International Maternal Pediatric Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials Network (IMPAACT)
- Caribbean Central America South America Network (CCASANET)
- Caribbean HIV/AIDS Research Initiative (TCHARI)
- Gabriel Network of Fondation Mérieux