WHO participated in CROI 2024, the 31st Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, which took place from 3–6 March 2024, in Denver, USA and virtually. CROI provides a forum for basic scientists and clinical investigators to present, discuss, and critique their investigations into the epidemiology and biology of human retroviruses and associated diseases. WHO played a key role across the conference agenda, to share updates on its latest scientific and normative work in the areas of HIV, viral hepatis, TB, among others.
WHO highlights
3 March
Pre-meeting: HIV/TB research frontiers meeting | 11:30–13:30, Hampton Inn and Homewood Suites Denver Downtown Convention Center
The objective of this CROI affiliated meeting is to review the evidence, research landscape and research gaps relating to the early detection of disseminated TB and extra-pulmonary TB in people with HIV, as well as the co-management of TB meningitis, disseminated TB and HIV.
5 March
Session: New frontiers in hepatitis B | 16:00–17:30 | Colorado Convention Center
This CROI session will focus on the directions of the new WHO hepatitis guidelines and the perspectives from USA, Latin America, Africa and Europe.
→ Download presentation How new WHO Guidelines can transform Hepatitis B in sub-Saharan Africa (PDF, 2.5 MB)
6 March
Session: Using data to inform interventions: epidemiology of HIV, STI, mpox and COVID-19 | 10:00–12:00, Colorado Convention Center
WHO will present the following 2 oral abstracts:
High prevalence of advanced HIV disease in Sub-Saharan Africa: an analysis of 11 household surveys
The study analysed the advanced HIV disease (AHD) prevalence across sub-Saharan Africa by pooling all PHIA surveys with available CD4 cell count data and found a prevalence of 10% with large variation across the treatment cascade in countries. The study also found a higher AHD prevalence in men than in women and estimate that 1.9 million adults with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa have AHD and that 44% of these people have suppressed/undetectable viral load.
→ Download presentation High prevalence of advanced HIV disease in sub-Saharan Africa (PDF, 1080 KB)
Vaccine effectiveness against COVID in-hospital mortality by HIV status across SARS-COV-2 variants
The study analysed the impact of COVID-19 vaccine in reducing in-hospital mortality among people living with HIV (PLHIV). The risk of death remained relatively high among PLHIV compared with the HIV negative groups. These findings highlight the need to implement WHO guidelines recommending booster vaccine for populations most-at-risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes including PLHIV.
→ Download presentation Vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 in-hospital mortality by HIV status across SARS-CoV-2 variants (PDF, 720 KB)
7 March
Post-meeting: WHO think tank on ART optimization | 08:00–14:00, Embassy suites by Hilton Downtown Denver hotel
External experts and key partners representatives are invited by WHO to discuss following topics: 1) update on safety of TLD and TAF; 2) update on management of acquired DTG resistance; 3) update on safety of antiretrovirals and other medicines in pregnant & breastfeeding women and launch of the WHO toolkit for research; 4) optimizing care of individuals aging with HIV across the life course; and 5) highlights from 2024 LEAP meeting and major long acting ARV studies.
Post-meeting: WHO think tank on the future of advanced HIV disease guidelines | 14:00–16:00, Embassy suites by Hilton Downtown Denver hotel
Key external experts and key partners representatives were invited by WHO to discuss the recent advanced HIV disease (AHD) research landscape report and identify the key research questions for the update of the WHO AHD guidelines.
Poster presentations
3 March 2024, 14:30–16:00, Colorado Convention Center, Exhibit Hall C-D
Simplifying dosing by harmonizing weight-band-based dosing across therapeutic areas in children
3 March 2024, 14:30–16:00, Colorado Convention Center, Exhibit Hall C-D
Lamivudine (3TC) Dosing for Preterm Neonates Exposed to HIV
4 March 2024, 14:30–16:00, Colorado Convention Center, Exhibit Hall C-D
Strategic Advice and Expert Procurement Accelerates the Optimization to DTG in the Americas
5 March 2024, 14:30–16:00, Colorado Convention Center, Exhibit Hall C-D
HIV situation in areas surrounding Larkana: Findings from community test and treat implementation
6 March 2024, 14:30–16:00, Colorado Convention Center, Exhibit Hall C-D
Is HIV outbreak among children in Larkana over? Findings form a large test and treat initiative