Visualizing and Analyzing Global Trends and Frontier Research in HIV Reservoirs: A Bibliometric Study from 1994 to 2023.

Abstract

Introduction: The enduring presence of HIV reservoirs represents an important obsta-cle to clinical management. Extensive research has been conducted in this field, but there are no bibliometric analyses focusing on HIV reservoir research.

Aim: This study aimed to present the current status and global trends in HIV reservoir research through bibliometric analysis.

Methods: Studies on HIV reservoirs published from 1 January 1994 to 31 December 2023 were included in the Web of Science Core Collection database, and annual publication numbers, insti-tutions, countries, and authors were analysed using CiteSpace bibliometric software. Further-more, popular research topics and trends were analysed using co-cited references and keywords. From 1994 to 2023, 5778 publications on HIV reservoirs were included, with the United States producing the most publications, citations, and research funding. The most productive individual author was Nicolas Chomont. Cell was the journal publishing the most publications, while Nat Med had the best total link strength. The University of California System was the institution that made the greatest contribution. Keyword clustering analysis of the extracted publications indi-cated that the research areas over the past three decades have primarily focused on "central nerv-ous system," "histone deacetylase," "multiple Epstein‒Barr virus infection," and "dendritic cell."

Results: Moreover, keyword emergence analysis indicates that "provirus" and "identification" are likely to become central themes in future research. Future investigations should prioritize elucidating the specific mechanisms underlying proviral persistence and the identification of novel biomarkers in HIV reservoirs. Additionally, exploring the role of proviral dynamics in ther-apeutic development and reservoir targeting could offer new insights into potential treatment strategies.

Conclusion: This study makes a significant contribution to the understanding of HIV reservoirs, shedding light on key characteristics and emerging trends while also pointing to future research directions.