MORE HIV RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS FROM CROI 2017

February 15, 2017 • By AIDS.gov

New scientific findings from two separate domains were among the key highlights shared during the second day of the 2017 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections

(CROI) in Seattle, according to Dr. Carl Dieffenbach, Director of the Division of AIDS at NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Dr. Dieffenbach and his colleague Anne Rancourt joined us for a Facebook Live session to re-cap some of those findings.

First, new research on our understanding of how the microbiome—the bacteria in our bodies—impacts the potential effectiveness of some forms of pre-exposure prophylaxis for women was presented. They suggested that one formulation of a vaginally applied gel being studied may not be as effective for HIV prevention as hoped when certain bacteria were present in the vaginal microbiome. Second, additional insights were shared at the conference on how antibodies may become possible tools in HIV prevention or treatment. Finally, Carl also responded to a question submitted by a viewer of his highlights video from the previous day about smoking and heart disease among people living with HIV.

To learn about these developments and more, watch their conversation below or on the AIDS.gov Facebook page.

Over 4,200 HIV researchers have 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. Visit the conference website

for abstracts, session descriptions, webcasts

, and other materials being released over the course of the coming week.

Final CROI 2017 Highlights Thursday

Tomorrow, Dr. Dieffenbach will return to share brief highlights of the science presented on the conference’s final day, Thursday, February 16. Tune in to AIDS.gov’s Facebook

page at 5:00 PM (ET)/2:00 PM (PT). And be sure to comment and share!