HIV destroys CD4 cells, which are responsible for keeping people healthy and protecting them from diseases and infections. As HIV gradually weakens the body’s natural defenses, signs and symptoms may occur.
The LI - LAB cohort of HIV - infected patients was established in 2024. It is a systematic longitudinal study recruiting HIV - infected patients in multiple places. It was initiated by Li Xiangwei's research group from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and is a collaborative project with the participation of the internal medicine infection outpatient clinics and infectious disease outpatient clinics of many domestic top - tier general hospitals and top - tier specialized hospitals.
Its main goals are to provide the best patient care, reduce the transmission of HIV, and conduct research.