Inside This Issue: Curated news summary from the 2019 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections.

 

 

Highlights from the 26^th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections

The 26th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) was held in Seattle, Washington, between March 4 and 7.  This annual event is one of the world’s major scientific conferences on HIV/AIDS, opportunistic illnesses, and related conditions.   

This issue of In Brief is devoted to highlights from CROI in the form of headlines from the HIV, medical, and scientific press, together with links to more detailed coverage. For your convenience, we have curated the headlines by topic and subtopic, so that you may quickly review important developments and then explore in depth the news of greatest interest to you.  The curated topic areas are:

• CROI Resources and Summaries
• HIV Cure Research – highlighted here first due to extensive coverage at CROI
• U.S. and Global HIV/AIDS Epidemic
• HIV Prevention and Transmission – including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
• Access to and Integration of HIV Care – including HIV testing and continuum of care
• HIV Treatment – including side effects and resistance
• HIV in Specific Population Groups – research focusing on particular demographic or risk groups
• Viral Hepatitis, Opportunistic Infections, and Other Health Conditions

Please note that a few articles are listed in more than one topic category.

 

CROI Resources and Summaries

Webcasts

The CROI Webcasts page provides the titles, authors, and links to nearly 1,800 conference presentations.  Visitors to the page can browse through and sort presentations by date, session or presentation title, and speaker name.  Visitors may then stream or download presentation videos, audio tracks, and slides. 

CROI Summaries

Blog Posts and Videos from HIV.gov: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) HIV.gov site has published a series of blog posts and associated videos summarizing news from CROI:

• Video: HIV Research Update and Preview of CROI 2019 from NIH’s Dr. Carl Dieffenbach
• Dr. Fauci Addresses CROI about Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America
• Video: HIV “Cure” Update and More: Research Highlights from CROI 2019
• Promising New PrEP Findings and More: Dr. Dieffenbach’s HIV Research Highlights from Day 3 of CROI 2019
• Video: CDC Research Highlights from CROI 2019: Molecular Surveillance, PrEP Use among MSM, and Ending the HIV Epidemic
• Highlights: Wrap-Up from CROI 2019

Really Rapid Review – CROI 2019 Seattle: This summary by Paul Sax was published in NEJM Journal Watch shortly after the conference ended.  It includes a series of brief summaries of about 25 developments in the prevention, treatment, and management of HIV infection, opportunistic infections, and related health conditions.

A Week in Review: CROI 2019: This post from the International AIDS Society blog presents capsule summaries of five key developments reported at this year’s CROI.

 

HIV Cure Research

New HIV Remission Cases in England and Germany

London Patient in Long-Term HIV Remission After Stem Cell Transplant (AIDSmap); see also CROI abstract and study press release, and additional coverage from Poz - article 1, (Poz - article 2), Healio, i-Base, TheBodyPRO, amfAR, and Science Speaks Blog

Video: Latest Case of HIV Remission a ‘Nice Example’ of Interdisciplinary Cooperation (Healio)

Will the “Düsseldorf Patient” Make Three – Further Propelling Cure Research? (Science Speaks Blog); see also CROI abstract and additional coverage from Poz

Other Cure Research News

Pre-CROI Community HIV Cure Workshop 2019 (i-Base)

Video: ‘No Clear Road Map’ for HIV Cure Strategies (Healio)

‘Gentler Cure’ Technique Produces Delay in Viral Rebound in Some People Taken Off HIV Therapy (AIDSmap)

‘Molecular Scissors’ Successfully Remove HIV Genes from All Tissues in Infected Monkeys (AIDSmap); see also CROI abstract and additional coverage from Poz

Gene Editing Delays Viral Rebound During HIV Treatment Interruption (Poz); see also CROI abstract

Detectable HIV Despite Treatment? Clonal Expansion Could Be the Culprit (Poz); see also CROI abstract

When Undetectable Is Unachievable: Study Offers Insights into HIV Persistence (NIAID)

 

 

U.S. and Global HIV/AIDS Epidemic

Research and a Moral Obligation Add Up to a Plan to End U.S. HIV Incidence (Science Speaks Blog)

CDC Explains and Defends Molecular Surveillance System (TheBodyPRO)

Video: Addressing the Syndemic of STIs and HIV (Healio)

Universal HIV Testing and Treatment Lowers HIV Rates in African Nations (Poz); see also study press release and additional coverage from AIDSmap, Healio, and NIAID

Multiple Benefits to Scaling Up Universal Test and Treat in Africa (AIDSmap)

Not Surprisingly, PopART Study Showed Community-Based Services Reduce HIV Incidence (TheBodyPRO); additional coverage from Science Speaks Blog

Nutrition, Sanitation Interventions Improve Neurodevelopment in HIV-Exposed Children (Healio)

One in Six South Africans Drug Resistant Before Starting HIV Treatment (AIDSmap)

Thailand’s Achievements in HIV Are Not All Widely Implemented (AIDSmap); additional coverage from Science Speaks Blog

55% Drop in HIV Incidence in Gay Men in England in Just Two Years (AIDSmap)

 

 

HIV Transmission and Prevention

Transmission

U=U Is a Human Rights Issue (AIDSmap)

HIV Transmission Rate Plunges in Gay & Bi Men in the U.K. (Poz); see also CROI abstract

Time Spent with Transmittable HIV Is Narrowing (Poz); see also CROI abstract

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

Descovy Is Non-Inferior to Truvada for Daily PrEP (AIDSmap)

TAF: Quick-Dissolve Combination PrEP Insert Is Effective Against HIV Infections in Monkeys; Intermittent Solo Pill Less So (AIDSmap); additional coverage from Healio and i-Base

How Many People Who Have Used Prep Get HIV the Same Year? New York Study Finds Out (AIDSmap)

People Stay on Prep for 14 Months on Average in the U.S., Study Finds (AIDSmap)

Staying on PrEP Is Significantly Different for PrEP Users with Commercial Insurance Versus Medicaid (TheBodyPRO)

Pre-HIV-Diagnosis PrEP Use Linked to Higher Rate of Resistance to Truvada (Poz)

PrEP Uptake Increases Nearly 30% Among MSM at High Risk for HIV (Healio)

Women, Young Patients Less Likely to Persistently Use PrEP (Healio)

Other Prevention News

Video: Engaging Young MSM in Prevention Strategies, Treatment (Healio)

HIV Antibody VRC01LS Safe Prevention Strategy for Infants (Healio)

 

 

Access to and Integration of HIV Care

Not Surprisingly, PopART Study Showed Community-Based Services Reduce HIV Incidence (TheBodyPRO); additional coverage from Science Speaks Blog

Point-of-Care Viral Load Testing Improves HIV Outcomes, Researchers Say (Science Speaks Blog); additional coverage from Healio and AIDSmap

Universal HIV Testing and Treatment Lowers HIV Rates in African Nations (Poz); see also study press release and additional coverage from AIDSmap and Healio

HIV Self-Test Kits Improve Testing Rates Among Sexual Partners (Healio); additional coverage from AIDSmap

Interventions Raise Men’s HIV Testing Rates (Science Speaks Blog)

Researchers Report High Rate of Viral Suppression Among People New to HIV Care (NIAID)

 

 

HIV Treatment (See also “HIV Cure Research” section above)

Long-Acting HIV Treatments

Monthly Injectable Treats HIV as Well as Daily Meds (Poz); see also CROI abstract and study press release; additional coverage from Healio, Poz, AIDSmap, and i-Base

Early Trial of Gilead’s HIV Capsid Inhibitor Supports 3-Month Dosing (Poz); see also study press release; additional coverage from AIDSmap and Healio

Treatment During Pregnancy

Video: ‘We Know Little’ About HIV Treatment Options for Pregnant Women (Healio)

Dolutegravir More Effective Than Efavirenz at Achieving Viral Suppression During Late-Term Pregnancy, New Study Shows (TheBodyPRO); additional coverage from i-Base

Integrase Inhibitors Give Greater Chance of Viral Suppression at Delivery in Pregnant Women (AIDSmap); see also CROI abstract; additional coverage from Healio and Poz

Isentress Is Superior to Sustiva When Started During Late Pregnancy (Poz); see also CROI abstract; additional coverage from i-Base

Dolutegravir-Based Second-Line ART Achieves Excellent Virological Outcomes Even in the Presence of Resistance to Recycled NRTIs (AIDSmap)

Other HIV Treatment News

Are CD4 Counts Still Useful in the ‘Treat All’ Era? (AIDSmap); additional coverage from Healio

Viral Reservoir Can Explain Persistent Low Level Viremia with Good Adherence on ART (HIV i-Base)

Biktarvy Continues to Suppress HIV Well in Long-Term Follow-Up (Poz)

Integrase Inhibitor Treatment Leads to Greater Weight Gain (AIDSmap)

TAF as Effective as TDF in Cisgender Women, with Fewer Side Effects (TheBodyPRO)

Co-Administration of Dolutegravir-Based Treatment and Short Course of Rifapentine/Isoniazid (3HP) Well Tolerated in People Living with HIV (AIDSmap)

One in Six South Africans Drug Resistant Before Starting HIV Treatment (AIDSmap)

 

 

HIV in Specific Population Groups

Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men

Gay & Bi Men with HIV Cured of Hep C Are Reinfected at High Rate (Poz); see also CROI abstract

Hepatitis C Drops Among HIV-Positive London Gay Men After Direct-Acting Antiviral Scale-Up (AIDSmap)

HIV Transmission Rate Plunges in Gay & Bi Men in the U.K. (Poz); see also CROI abstract

Video: Engaging Young MSM in Prevention Strategies, Treatment (Healio)

Persons Who Inject Drugs

Opioid Overdose Deaths Rising Among People Living with HIV (Healio)

IV Drug Use, HCV Predict Syphilis in Women with HIV (Healio); additional coverage from TheBodyPRO

Women

HIV-Related Immune Activation May Predict Weight Gain and Exacerbate Complications, Especially in Women (NIAID)

TAF as Effective as TDF in Cisgender Women, with Fewer Side Effects (TheBodyPRO)

Women with HIV May Have Higher Breast Cancer Mortality (AIDSmap)

Video: ‘We Know Little’ About HIV Treatment Options for Pregnant Women (Healio)

Integrase Inhibitors Give Greater Chance of Viral Suppression at Delivery in Pregnant Women (AIDSmap); additional coverage from  Healio

Dolutegravir More Effective Than Efavirenz at Achieving Viral Suppression During Late-Term Pregnancy, New Study Shows (TheBodyPRO); see also CROI abstract; additional coverage from i-Base and Poz

Isentress Is Superior to Sustiva When Started During Late Pregnancy (Poz); see also CROI abstract; additional coverage from i-Base

 

Viral Hepatitis, Opportunistic Infections, and Other Health Conditions

Viral Hepatitis

Sixfold Increased Risk of Infant HIV Infection and High Rates of Low Birth Weight Among Women with HIV/Hepatitis B Co-Infection (AIDSmap)

Gay & Bi Men with HIV Cured of Hep C Are Reinfected at High Rate (Poz); see also CROI abstract

Hepatitis C Drops Among HIV-Positive London Gay Men After Direct-Acting Antiviral Scale-Up (AIDSmap)

Pilot Study Finds HCV Treatment Safe in Pregnancy (Healio)

IV Drug Use, HCV Predict Syphilis in Women with HIV (Healio); additional coverage from TheBodyPRO

Cancer

Detectable HIV and Lower CD4 Count Raise Liver Cancer Risk (Poz); see also CROI abstract; additional coverage from AIDSmap

HIV-Positive Women with Breast Cancer May Have a Higher Risk of Death (Poz); see also CROI abstract; additional coverage from AIDSmap

Lung Cancer Screening Guidelines Are Likely Too Narrow for People with HIV (Poz); related coverage in CROI abstract; additional coverage from AIDSmap

Cardiovascular Disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Increases the Risk of Heart Attack in People with HIV (AIDSmap); see also CROI abstract; additional coverage from Poz

Poorly Treated HIV Is Linked to Higher Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death (Poz); see also CROI abstract; additional coverage from TheBodyPRO

Rate of Sudden Arrhythmic Death Higher in Patients with HIV (Healio); additional coverage from AIDSmap

Kidney Disease

Descovy PrEP Works Equally Well, May Be Safer for Kidneys and Bones (Poz); see also CROI abstract

Substance Use

Opioid Overdose Deaths Are Rising Quickly in the HIV Population (Poz); see also CROI abstract; additional coverage in Healio

IV Drug Use, HCV Predict Syphilis in Women with HIV (Healio); additional coverage from TheBodyPRO

Tuberculosis

Two “Game Changing Regimens” Together Show Promise for Preventing TB in People Living with HIV (Science Speaks); additional coverage from Healio

‘Reassured’: Short TB Treatment Safe in Adults with HIV on Dolutegravir (Healio); additional coverage from AIDSmap

Dolutegravir Can Be Given with 3HP to Prevent TB Without Dose Adjustment (i-Base)

Tuberculosis Diagnosis in People with HIV Increases Risk of Death Within 10 Years (NIAID)

Double Doses of Darunavir Given with Rifampicin Lead to High Rates of Hepatoxicity (i-Base)

Sixfold Increased Risk of Infant HIV Infection and High Rates of Low Birth Weight Among Women with HIV/Hepatitis B Co-Infection (AIDSmap)

Study Demonstrates Cardiac Safety of Bedaquiline Plus Delamanid for MDR-TB (Healio)

Tshepiso Study: Preventive TB Therapy Not Associated with Poor Pregnancy Outcomes