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The core proteins of HIV-1 are secreted into the environment during replication in the human body. The detection of the core protein p24 (molecular mass of 24 kilodaltons) serves as an indicator of early HIV-1 infection, and assays detecting it have been available since the late 1980s. However, the development of a rapid assay for the detection of HIV-1 p24 has only recently become available.

Upon intranasal vaccination, live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) viruses may replicate within the nose for several days. Current clinical diagnostic tests cannot distinguish between LAIV viruses and multiple influenza viruses in recently inoculated patients that present with respiratory symptoms. This poses a problem for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with respiratory symptoms, as these symptoms may not be caused by influenza. CDC researchers have developed a real-time RT-PCR assay to detect the presence of LAIV viruses.

Military uniforms and mosquito nets are treated with permethrin, a repellent and insecticide used for personal protection against biting flies, mosquitoes, and other disease-carrying insects. Vector-borne diseases such as malaria, leishmaniasis (a parasitic infection spread by sandflies), Zika virus, West Nile virus, Lyme disease, and more can be diminished if treated nets or clothing containing the proper amount of permethrin are utilized. Washing and wear depletes the insecticide on the material, eventually rendering it ineffective.

Within recent years, point-of-care (POC) testing has allowed for many individuals to be screened for and provided with HIV test results. It is critical to be able to accurately detect acute HIV infections as this is a stage where the risk of transmission is great. Additionally, early HIV detection could lead to less high-risk behavior, thereby reducing transmission. Currently, there are no rapid, cost-effective diagnostic tests sensitive enough to detect acute HIV-1 infections for the POC setting.

Influenza B causes significant morbidity and mortality yearly around the world. There are two genetically and antigenically distinct lineages of influenza B that are known to co-circulate within the same influenza season. Currently, the trivalent influenza vaccine only has one influenza B lineage component.

HIV and AIDS remain persistent problems for the United States and countries around the world. In 2015, nearly 40,000 people were diagnosed with HIV in the US alone. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can help prevent HIV infections in people who are not infected with HIV but are at high risk of becoming infected with HIV. PrEP involves taking daily medications and is the most effective when medications are taken consistently. However, many people find it challenging to adhere to a daily pill schedule and cannot fully benefit from PrEP.

As of March 2017, 64 countries and territories had travel notices for active Zika virus transmissions. CDC developed the Trioplex rRT-PCR test to detect evidence of Zika virus infection and aid in differentiating this infection from dengue and chikungunya virus infections, all of which are spread by the same types of Aedes species mosquitoes and cause similar illness.

The 2014-2016 Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa was the largest in history, causing more than 28,000 suspected, probable, and confirmed infections and more than 11,000 deaths across nine countries. CDC scientists designed nucleic acid primers and probes which can be used in a sensitive test for detecting all known strains of Ebola virus (species Zaire ebolavirus) including the 2014/2015 strain that emerged in West Africa and the more recent strain that caused an EVD outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2017.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a flavivirus primarily transmitted by infected Aedes mosquitoes. Infection with ZIKV during pregnancy can affect the fetus causing microcephaly, neurological complications, and other birth defects. Adults are also at a heightened risk of developing Guillain-Barre syndrome and other neurological disorders. In response to the 2015-2016 Zika outbreak, CDC scientists developed a recombinant vaccine candidate as well as reagents and methods to detect ZIKV infection. The recombinant vaccine candidate utilizes adenovirus vector expressed viral envelope proteins.

Rabies occurs in more than 150 countries and territories, resulting in at least 55,000 human deaths per year worldwide according to World Health Organization estimates. Rabies is a vaccine-preventable viral disease caused by numerous lyssaviruses that are found in a variety of animal species throughout the world. Rabies virus infects the central nervous system, causing disease in the brain with almost 100% mortality once clinical symptoms manifest.