Study Contributions

  • 1986 – MACS investigators begin to develop standards for progression.  MACS substudy on neurological aspects of HIV.
  • 1987 – MACS standardizes lab procedures, contributing to HIV research worldwide.  MACS verifies risky sex factors for HIV seroconversion.
  • 1988 – MACS data begins to document markers and mechanisms of HIV effects on the immune system.  Data supports the development of humane public health policy towards the AIDS epidemic.
  • 1989 – MACS defines and identifies risk of PCP, and data on PCP recurrence contributes to the development of guidelines for PCP prophylaxis.  Many lives are saved.  
  • 1990 – MACS data defines incidence of Kaposi’s Sarcoma and shows potential genetic factors in rapid HIV progression.  
  • 1991 – MACS virologists document genetic sub-strains of HIV.  MACS data begins to document longer survival times for HIV infected individuals.  MACS studies document the economic impact of HIV-1 infection.  MACS data on brain cytokines help develop an understanding of AIDS dementia.  
  • 1995-7 – MACS data define high predictive value for HIV viral load measurements.  These data are instrumental in developing treatment guidelines for HIV and AIDS, based on viral load and CD4 cell count.  
  • 1997-present – MACS data and specimens contribute to further understanding of how a person’s genetic makeup influences acquisition and progression of HIV infection. 
  • 1998-present – MACS data are used in the development of designs for trials of candidate HIV vaccines.  
  • 1999 – MACS studies document patterns of HIV evolution and stages of disease progression that occur if HIV is not treated.  
  • 2000-present – MACS studies of lipodystrophy and complications of anti-HIV medications begin to define patterns of complications, and provide the impetus for new expansion of the MACS cohort to continue these studies.  
  • 2001 -- MACS data contribute to revised guidelines for treatment of HIV infection.

For more information about SHARE, please call us at 410.955.7090.

This project has been funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, with additional supplemental funding from the National Cancer Institute.  Joseph B. Margolick, MD, PhD, Professor, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, is the Principal Investigator.