Yale University lab researchers recently modified the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) to kill HIV-infected human cells. Even better, the human VSV left the human cells unharmed. Such a treatment might swiftly stop HIV progression in a person, according to John Rose, Ph.D., study co-author. Human trials will proceed if VSV tests underway in monkeys are successful.

VSV primarily affects horses and cattle but other species can be susceptible. Death due to vesicular stomatitis is usually low, but outbreaks have economic impacts resulting from quarantine. The most recent outbreak occurred in the Western U.S. this fall.