This web page has links to many articles, fact sheets, and other materials arising from the 2016 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) which was held on February 22 through 25 in Boston, Massachusetts.
The materials have been grouped into topic areas to help you find and quickly access materials of particular interest to you. The topic areas appear in the order listed below.
When more than one news outlet has covered a single research story, we have generally provided the full title and hyperlink for one summary, followed by hyperlinks to related coverage in other outlets. We hope that this approach will help you readily scan through highlights of CROI 2016, identify the news of interest to you, and explore topics in depth.
CONFERENCE TOPICS
- Conference Overview and Highlights
- U.S. Epidemic Trends
- The Global HIV/AIDS Epidemic
- HIV Prevention and Transmission (including PrEP and Microbicides)
- HIV Treatment Cascade/Continuum of Care (including HIV Testing)
- HIV Treatment
- HIV Cure Research
- Living with HIV
- Other Infectious Diseases (including Hepatitis C, TB, and Ebola)
Conference Overview and Highlights
About 4,000 people from 96 countries participated in the 23rd annual Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in 2016. Many research topics related to HIV epidemiology, pathogenesis, prevention, screening, and treatment were covered, as well as news of hepatitis C, tuberculosis, and emerging infectious diseases, such as ebola. During the 4-day conference, there were a total of 6 plenary lectures, 18 themed discussions, 10 symposia, 119 original oral abstract presentations, and 834 poster presentations.
CROI Website:
The CROI website has archived hundreds of abstracts and webcasts of research presented at the conference. To find research reports on topics of particular interest, you can also use the CROI site’s search function. Webcasts with slides, video, streaming audio, and audio downloads for the 2016 CROI lectures are available on the Webcasts section of the CROI site. If you are interested in relatively short reviews of selected presentations, you can view or listen to the press conference webcasts described and linked to below, or browse through key abstracts.
- 2/22: Welcome and overview of CROI 2016 (21 minutes) – video, audio
- 2/22: Special session on ebola: One year later (20 minutes) – video, audio
- 2/22: Expanding the toolbox for prevention (30 minutes) – video, audio
- 2/23: Multiple topics: 1) SIV and HIV pathogenesis, and 2) Strategies for testing and linkage to care: Are we closing the gap? (34 minutes) – video, audio
- 2/23: Prevention and treatment of pediatric HIV infections (17 minutes) – video, audio
- 2/24: Multiple topics: 1) Getting to 90-90-90, and 2) Reaching 90-90-90 and beyond: Challenges and innovations (32 minutes) – video, audio
- 2/24: Multiple topics: 1) Expanding the toolbox for prevention, 2) Renal function and STIs in PrEP users, and 3) Predictors of PrEP coverage and uptake (34 minutes) – video, audio
- 2/25: Multiple topics: 1) The evolving epidemiology of HIV infection in persons who inject drugs: Indiana 2015, and 2) HCV: Curing the patient but not the population (27 minutes) – video, audio
- 2/25: Tuberculosis, other opportunistic infections, and cancer prevention (20 minutes) – video, audio
Sites Offering Free Continuing Medical Education (CME) Credit:
Other Web Sites and Articles with Conference Highlights:
- NEJM Journal Watch: Really Rapid Review – CROI 2016, Boston – A brief review of CROI highlights from Dr. Paul Sax, with links to the abstracts of the research studies highlighted.
- IFARA Health and Treatment Update – This site has posted a series of video interviews about some key topics discussed at CROI, including an antiretroviral treatment update, hepatitis C, and metabolic complications of HIV disease.
- NATAP: CROI Summary Report by Dr. Eric Daar, which includes references to the Conference abstracts for the highlighted research.
- HIV Treatment Bulletin: March 2016 issue includes extensive coverage of CROI highlights.
- Beta Blog: San Francisco HIV experts: What did you learn at CROI 2016? and New HIV treatments discussed at CROI 2016.
- Poz: CROI Roundup: All the HIV News That’s Fit to Print.
- The Lancet: NextGen HIV Prevention: New Possibilities and Questions – A brief review of HIV prevention research at CROI 2016.
- National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors: PrEP, HIV Treatment, and Social Determinants: Key Highlights from CROI 2016.
- AVAC – AVAC has published blog items, press releases, and other resources with news from CROI 2016.
- Blog.AIDS.gov– This site has published CROI 2016 research summaries, including the following:
- Drs. Wolitski and Mermin Discuss Highlights of CDC Presentations at CROI 2016
- Drs. Wolitski and McCray Discuss Data on Lifetime HIV Risk
- Research Update: NIH’s Dr. Dieffenbach on CROI 2016
- Vaginal Ring & PrEP Updates from CROI with NIH’s Dr. Carl Dieffenbach
- NIH’s Dr. Carl Dieffenbach Shares Highlights from Start of CROI 2016
- Tremendous Progress Made in HIV, but Serious Disparities Remain
U.S. Epidemic Trends
- Half of Black gay men and a quarter of Latino gay men projected to be diagnosed within their lifetime (CDC); related coverage by AIDSmap, BETA Blog, Healio, MedPage Today, Poz, TheBody article 1 and article 2; abstract on CROI website.
- As many as 185,000 new HIV infections in the U.S. could be prevented by expanding testing, treatment, PrEP (CDC); related coverage by AIDSmap, Poz, Healio, and TheBody.
- Life expectancy increases in HIV patients; significant gap remains (Healio); related coverage by AIDSmap, MedPage Today, and Poz; abstract on CROI website.
- Increased HIV viral suppression among U.S. adults receiving medical care, 2009 to 2013. (CROI abstract); related coverage by MedPage Today. and Project Inform
- The evolving epidemiology of HIV infection in persons who inject drugs: Indiana 2015 (CROI abstract); related coverage by Healio, MedPage Today, and Poz.
The Global HIV/AIDS Epidemic
- Botswana close to reaching the 90-90-90 testing and treatment targets (AIDSmap); Related coverage by MedPage Today and Science Speaks Blog; abstract on CROI website.
- HIV exposure causes 50% of infant deaths at 24 months in Botswana (Healio)
- Partner notification feasible and effective in African settings (AIDSmap)
- PopART trial shows feasibility of reaching 90-90-90 targets for testing and treatment coverage in Zambia and South Africa (AIDSmap)
- Removing clinic barriers to rapid initiation of ART in Uganda enables 70% to start on the same day (AIDSmap) Abstract on CROI website.
- Starting HIV treatment at first clinic visit improves outcomes in African study (AIDSmap)
- HIV exposure causes 50% of infant deaths at 24 months in Botswana (Healio)
- Transgender people are at high risk for HIV, but too little is known about prevention and treatment for this population (AIDSmap); related coverage from Healio.
HIV Prevention and Transmission
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP):
- As many as 185,000 new HIV infections in the U.S. could be prevented by expanding testing, treatment, PrEP (CDC); related coverage by Poz, Healio, and TheBody.
- Almost-certain case of PrEP failure due to drug resistance reported at CROI conference. (AIDSmap); related coverage by BETA Blog and Poz, and TheBody.
- NIH-funded study finds effect of PrEP on bone density is reversible (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases); related coverage by AIDSmap, BETA Blog, Healio, and Poz.
- Truvada as PrEP against HIV leads to modest decline in kidney function (Poz); related coverage from AIDSmap, Beta Blog, and in CROI abstract 1 and abstract 2.
- Rapid rise in PrEP awareness in US gay men, but only 5% have used PrEP (AIDSmap); related coverage from Poz.
- Condom use in French PrEP trial: half only used PrEP, a quarter used condoms and PrEP, one in six used neither. (AIDSmap)
- CDC guidelines on STI testing for PrEP patients may miss cases (Healio); related coverage from AIDSmap, Poz, and CROI website.
- NIH-funded study finds critical population adheres to PrEP with coordinated care (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)
- PrEP uptake and use by Black men who have sex with men in 3 U.S. cities (CROI abstract); related coverage from Project Inform
- Tailored counseling approach increases PrEP intake among Black MSM (Healio)
- What’s on the horizon? New PrEP options presented at CROI 2016 (BETA Blog)
- Men Are Not Macaques and Other Lessons from Long-Acting PrEP Study. (TheBodyPro)
- Maraviroc-containing regimens safe, tolerable when taken for HIV prevention (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases); related coverage by Poz and AIDSmap.
- Injectable long-acting cabotegravir shows promise as PrEP in early safety trial (Poz); related coverage by AIDSmap and abstract on CROI website.
- What is a drug “tail,” and what does it have to do with long-acting PrEP? (BETA Blog)
- Tenofovir alafenamide PrEP protects monkeys from infection, but rectal and vaginal levels in humans may be too low (AIDSmap)
Microbicides:
- Vaginal ring provides partial protection from HIV in large multinational trial. (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases); related coverage by BETA Blog, Healio, Poz, Science Speaks Blog, and TheBody. Related Abstract 1 and Abstract 2 on CROI website.
- Similarly modest HIV-prevention benefit of vaginal ring seen in early results of second study. (Poz)
- Why a new vaginal ring could be a game-changer in HIV prevention. (TheBodyPro)
- ‘On-demand’ rectal microbicide gel has reasonable tolerability and acceptability – daily less so. (AIDSmap); related coverage by Poz.
Other Prevention and Transmission News:
- Dose-finding trials of antibody-based drugs for HIV prevention will start soon (AIDSmap)
- People with HIV considerably overestimate their chance of infecting someone (AIDSmap); related coverage by Poz and Healio; abstract on CROI website.
- HIV-1 laboratory contagion during recombination procedures with defective constructs (CROI abstract); related coverage by Healio and MedPage Today.
- Option B+ cuts mother-to-child HIV transmission dramatically in Malawi (AIDSmap); related coverage by AIDSmap and Healio; and Science Speaks Blog; abstract from CROI website.
- Impact of Option B+ on ART uptake and retention in Swaziland: A stepped-wedge (CROI abstract); related coverage by Healio.
- Very high levels of chemsex and ‘slamsex’ seen in HIV-positive men attending English/Welsh HIV clinics (AIDSmap)
- Partner notification feasible and effective in African settings. (AIDSmap)
HIV Treatment Cascade/Continuum of Care
- HIV mortality by care cascade stage and implications for universal ART eligibility (CROI abstract)
- Increased HIV viral suppression among U.S. adults receiving medical care, 2009 to 2013. (CROI abstract); related coverage by Healio and Poz.
- Innovations in antiretroviral therapy delivery (CROI abstract)
- Missed opportunities for HIV testing during routine doctor visits, BRFSS, 2011-2013 (CDC); related coverage by Healio.
- Setting a benchmark for HIV testing at visits to U.S. physician offices by men aged 18-39 years (CDC); related coverage by Healio.
- During pregnancy, offering HIV testing at home doubles the proportion of male partners who test (AIDSmap)
- Botswana close to reaching the 90-90-90 testing and treatment targets (AIDSmap); related coverage by Science Speaks Blog; abstract on CROI website.
- Option B+ has enabled Malawi to make significant progress towards 90-90-90. (AIDSmap); related coverage by AIDSmap.
- Studies probe retention in HIV care for women who start antiretroviral treatment during pregnancy. (AIDSmap)
- PopART trial shows feasibility of reaching 90-90-90 targets for testing and treatment coverage in Zambia and South Africa (AIDSmap)
- Missing but in action: Where are the men? [men in sub-Saharan Africa] (CROI abstract); related coverage by Science Speaks Blog.
- Removing clinic barriers to rapid initiation of ART in Uganda enables 70% to start on the same day (AIDSmap) Abstract on CROI website.
- Rate of entry into HIV care improved by personalised counselling.
- Starting HIV treatment at first clinic visit improves outcomes in African study (AIDSmap)
HIV Treatment
Impacts of Early Treatment and HIV Treatment as Prevention:
- As many as 185,000 new HIV infections in the U.S. could be prevented by expanding testing, treatment, PrEP (CDC); related coverage by Poz, Healio, and TheBody.
- START study shows that people starting HIV treatment earlier have better quality of life. (AIDSmap)
- Starting HIV treatment at first clinic visit improves outcomes in African study (AIDSmap)
- Early antiretroviral therapy reduces the risk of infection-related cancers (AIDSmap); related coverage by Poz.
- Early antiretroviral therapy has no impact on marker of early cardiovascular disease (AIDSmap)
New HIV Drugs and Treatment Strategies:
- New HIV treatments discussed at CROI 2016. (Beta Blog)
- Long-acting injectable cabotegravir + rilpivirine works well as HIV maintenance therapy. (AIDSmap); related coverage by Poz, Project Inform, and TheBody.
- Tenofovir twin continues to perform well (MedPage Today)
- Early results show doravirine regimen as effective as efavirenz regimen (Project Inform)
- New attachment inhibitor showing promise for treatment experienced patients (Project Inform)
Drug Side Effects:
- Switching to emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (F/TAF) maintains viral suppression with better bone and kidney safety (TheBody); related coverage by AIDSmap and Project Inform
- Serious kidney problems are rare with PrEP, but increase with older age and better adherence. (Project Inform)
- Maternal use of Viread comparable to zidovudine regarding infant BMC (Healio) Abstract on CROI website.
- Tenofovir treatment raises the risk of broken bones (AIDSmap)
- Truvada negatively influences renal function (Healio)
Other HIV Treatment News:
- What’s the Most Overlooked Issue in HIV Care Today? (TheBodyPro)
- Promising results for new, simpler dosing of raltegravir (Isentress). (Project Inform)
- Dolutegravir safe and highly effective in older children (AIDSmap)
HIV Cure Research
- Progress in gene therapy for HIV cure (CROI abstract)
- T cell control of HIV: Implications for vaccines and cure (CROI abstract)
- The HIV latent reservoir: Obstacles and strategies to a cure (CROI abstract)
- Supercharging NK cells for cure (CROI abstract)
- Experimental TLR7 agonist suppresses HIV-like virus in monkeys after ART interruption (AIDSmap)
- Antibody-mediated killing of HIV reservoirs by HIV controllers (CROI abstract)
- A tale of two stem-cell transplantations in HIV+ patients: Clues to eradicate HIV (CROI abstract)
- New family of neutralizing antibodies in HIV asymptomatic long-term nonprogressors (CROI abstract)
- Potent broadly neutralising antibody responses in slow-progressing pediatric HIV (CROI abstract)
Living with HIV
- There Are No Shortcuts: Laurel Sprague on Stigma Research and HIV Community Engagement at CROI 2016. (TheBodyPro)
- HIV in the brain – new tools and treatment options to keep your mind beautiful (AIDSmap)
- Strokes, TIA more common among female, black HIV patients (Healio); related coverage by AIDSmap
- HIV-related factors increase risk of stroke (AIDSmap)
- Paxil (Paroxetine) May Lessen HIV-Related Cognitive Dysfunction. (Poz)
- Cardiovascular risk tools for HIV go head-to-head in large U.S. study (TheBody)
- Poorly controlled HIV is independently linked to liver fibrosis progression in those with and without hepatitis C (Poz)
- Study does not support routine HPV quadrivalent vaccination to protect against anal cancer in older people living with HIV. (AIDSmap)
- Bacteria in our gut affects HIV — Is there a solution? (BETA Blog)
- Co-trimoxazole fails to reduce mortality among HIV-exposed uninfected infants (Healio) Abstract on CROI website.
- Aspirin does not affect immune activation, endothelial function of HIV patients (Healio)
Other Infectious Diseases
Hepatitis C Virus:
- The big hepatitis C news out of the CROI medical conference in Boston (Poz)
- In the global epidemic of hepatitis C, millions await the cure (Science Speaks Blog)
- Hepatitis C cure is linked to lowered risk of death, kidney disease and diabetes in those with HIV (Poz)
- Does hep C exposure raise the risk of kidney disease and osteoporosis in people with HIV? (Hepmag)
- Hep C screening among Baby Boomers is inadequate, and those with Medicaid are less likely to be treated (Hepmag)
- Acute hep C infection is linked with sexual behavior among HIV-positive gay men (Poz)
- A massive scale-up of hep C treatment among injection drug users is needed to reap a prevention benefit (Hepmag)
- Urban injection drug users succeed on hep C treatment with hands-on care protocol (Poz)
- Networks of HCV transmissions among persons who inject drugs: Indiana, 2015 (CROI abstract); related coverage by MedPage Today.
- Ravidasvir plus sofosbuvir demonstrates high cure rate for people with hepatitis C genotype 4. (AIDSmap)
- Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir for hepatitis C can be administered with most antiretrovirals. (AIDSmap)
- Does hep C exposure raise the risk of kidney disease and osteoporosis in people with HIV? (Poz)
- Coffee may reduce the risk of death among those coinfected with HIV and hepatitis C. (Poz)
- HCV, HBV, alcohol use associated with ESLD in patients with HIV (Healio)
- Harvoni effective for patients with HIV, acute HCV (Healio); related coverage by AIDSmap and Poz.
- TE superior to FIB-4 for diagnosing HIV/HCV coinfection outcomes (Healio)
Tuberculosis:
- Empirical TB treatment comes up short again. (AIDSmap); related coverage by Healio; abstract on CROI website.
- Direct transmission seems to drive XDR TB (MedPage Today); related coverage by AIDSmap and Healio.
- Going after TB first in coinfected HIV patients fails to cut mortality (MedPage Today)
- HIV and TB link the Bronx and Tugela Ferry in a story of human rights and social justice (Science Speaks Blog)
- Acceptability of large-scale household-based TB screening: HPTN 071 (PopART) (CROI abstract); related coverage by AIDSmap and Healio.
Ebola:
- Scale of Ebola crisis led to knowledge, new questions, ongoing research, and need for unprecedented community healthcare delivery (Science Speaks Blog)
- Ebola drug shows promise (MedPage Today)
- Ebola impact lingers (MedPage Today)
- Sequalae of ebola virus disease in surviving patients in Guinea: Postebogui cohort (CROI abstract)
- Dynamics of ebola virus clearance in semen in Guinea (CROI abstract)
