Final HIV Research Highlights from CROI 2017

As the 2017 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections Exit Disclaimer (CROI) wrapped up in Seattle, we spoke again with Dr. Carl Dieffenbach about some of the scientific highlights from the final day of the conference. Carl is the Director of the Division of AIDS at NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). He and his colleague Anne Rancourt joined us for a Facebook Live session to re-cap some of those findings.

Carl pointed to a number of highlights including a plenary presentationExit Disclaimer by Dr. Demetre Daskalakis of the New York City Department of Health about steps that city, and New York state, are taking to end the epidemic making the HIV prevention and treatment tools that science has brought about to the people that need them. He also highlighted innovative community efforts to address HIV underway in Africa – the SEARCHExit Disclaimer trial in Uganda and Kenya and the PopARTExit Disclaimer trial in Zambia and South Africa.

Several studies presented on the final day of the conference dealt with other health conditions affecting people living with HIV, he noted. These included data on hepatitis C (HCV) infection and reinfection risk among HIV-positive men who have sex with men. In addition there were studies presented on the reduction in cancer risk when people living with HIV stop smoking. Noting that February is Heart Health Month, Carl also pointed to conversations at the conference about the REPRIEVEExit Disclaimer trial, which is currently enrolling people living with HIV in a study of heart health. Finally, Carl looked ahead to some of the HIV prevention research findings anticipated in the year ahead.

To learn about these developments and more, watch their conversation below or on the HIV.gov Facebook pageExit Disclaimer. Visit the conference websiteExit Disclaimer for abstracts, session webcastsExit Disclaimer, and other materials related to the specific studies Carl referenced.

Over 4,200 HIV researchers assembled in Seattle this week for the annual CROI conference. The basic, translational, and clinical scientists from 90 countries are sharing and discussing the latest studies, notable developments, and best research methods in the ongoing battle against HIV/AIDS and related infectious diseases.

Read and view all of our coverage from CROI 2017.