Klaus Überla reviews the efficacy trials of the two HIV vaccines thus far tested, the more recent being the STEP study. Überla suggests that, based on the studies' results, occult HIV infections appear more frequently than generally assumed, and should be studied further to provide novel strategies for HIV vaccine development.
Ragon et al. use sequence-based genotyping methods to identify the most prevalent clones of L. monocytogenes, a food-borne pathogen responsible for severe infections, including meningitis. The authors also establish the evolutionary history of these clones, determining a virulence factor that plays a crucial role in infection in humans.
Gryllos et al. study the role of the peroxide response regulator (PerR) in enhancing pathogenesis of group A Streptococcus. Group A Streptococcus is the leading cause of strep throat in children, and is also associated with necrotizing fasciitis, streptococcal toxic shock, rheumatic fever, and heart disease.
Schelhaas et al. use video microscopy to study the cellular transport system by which human papillomavirus type 16 enters the cell. The authors suggest that their observations with this virus, which is the main causative agent of cervical cancer, can be extrapolated to other viruses.
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