Challenge of Subtype Diversity

The article about subtype diversity was interesting. It is almost discouraging to see the large number of obstacles ahead; eradicating a widespread disease with one strain is already difficult. Now there is a widespread disease with multiple strains (subtypes) that keep mutating and changing or recombining with each other to form others that are sometimes more lethal or more toxic; oh and there is continued developement of drug resistance strains that play into the diversity of the subtypes.
I don't think many people appreciate the extent and complexity of challenges that HIV poses; i certainly didn't and the fact that we do not understand how different subtypes spread in different regions is also a really important factor. It is surprising to think that with all the research that is being done on HIV, we are no where near done. That is something that people need to realize. As our knowledge of this clever virus evolves, so do the virus's techniques it uses to stay alive in an individual and in the population for a long time. So we are basically in a race against HIV. Its not a question just understanding the virus, which is also a crucial component, but it is also the question of being several steps ahead, stopping it before it goes to another level of complexity. Obviously this is a very challenging and difficult feat but so was the idea of eradication smallpox.

Subtype Diversity - post for 12/2 class

I found this article to be very interesting, especially the discussion of the possibilities for an HIV vaccine. I wish I knew more about how the immune system worked so that I could better follow some of the technicalities and nuance. Are there any areas in the world where there are many common subtypes? I would imagine that a place like this would be very valuable to study the relative fitness of the various types. Do certain types out-compete others? Although I guess it is far more complicated than simple competition, due to all the host/virus/environment factors involved. If it was clear that one type is more fit, would we know by now?

On that note, it seems that much more research is needed to fully understand subtype diversity - it is certainly needed for vaccine development! The fact that subtype does not seem to affect clinical progression is promising, but at the same time it seems that it would be ideal to reduce/contain the number of circulating subtypes, especially if we want treatments and vaccines to work as effectively as possible! I'd be curious to know if there are any efforts underway currently to find and contain emerging subtypes. Would this be a valid use of resources, I wonder?

Another question I am very curious about - how were the vaccines tested ethically? The way the author wrote, "In two large, phase 3 trials of a monomeric
form of the external glycoprotein 120, conducted in the United States and Thailand, the protein failed to protect healthy subjects from HIV infection" almost implied that healthy people were infected!