Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU)

Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU) is a leading clinical research institute based in Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa. Established in 1996, it operates as a specialized research unit focused on HIV and related infectious diseases, embedded within major public health and academic networks. PHRU plays a central role in advancing evidence-based care in high-burden settings.

Its publications highlight strengths in HIV treatment optimization, tuberculosis prevention, and management of TB and HIV co-infection. Studies on dolutegravir with rifampin, smoking cessation in people with HIV, and diagnostic delays in lymphoma reflect a commitment to improving clinical outcomes through pragmatic trials and cohort research.

PHRU also contributes significantly to vaccine research, respiratory infections, and pediatric TB prevention, including landmark trials on levofloxacin prophylaxis and platforms for influenza and RSV surveillance. Integrated TB and COVID-19 diagnostics and community-based epidemiology further demonstrate leadership in innovative, policy-relevant public health research.