Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date. Dear Correctional Colleagues:
This issue of HEPP focuses on the 10th annual Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) held February 10-14 in Boston. The meeting opened with a well thought-out and charismatic speech on HIV, politics, and citizenship in the world by former President Bill Clinton. Clinton's accurate quotations of HIV statistics and grasp of the world AIDS problem was mind-boggling and inspiring. Clinton spoke of work that his own foundation is doing throughout the world to fight AIDS. He also praised President George W. Bush for pledging $15 billion dollars to help fight AIDS in the highest prevalence countries. Clinton did caution that systems need to be in place to ensure that countries that receive funding are prepared to spend it effectively.
Since its beginning, the organizers of CROI have focused on providing a forum for scientists and clinicians to present, discuss, and critique presentations in the field of human retrovirology and opportunistic infections. The number of attendees (3,200 this year) has always been limited; most are HIV researchers and clinicians. The paucity of pharmaceutical sales representation is intentional. I, and many others, feel that CROI's restrictions are refreshing and help keep the meeting more focused. Others feel that limiting who can attend CROI is elitism by the medical and research communities at its their worst. One of my friends, a long-time AIDS activist, told me recently that while he originally had adamantly protested the strict attendance rules of CROI, he has come to understand them.
In the current issue of HEPP, Drs. Wohl and Piliero summarize several important studies presented at CROI. I attended CROI and afterward, many colleagues told me that they didn't hear much come out of this year's meeting. I was asked several times what I thought the most important study was this year. Arguably, I believe the 2NN Study presented by Joep Lange (and reviewed by Dr. Wohl in this issue of HEPP) receives that distinction. The 2NN Study provides further evidence that efavirenz is not more potent than nevirapine leaving us with two powerful NNRTI options - each with their own set of positive and negative aspects.
After reading this month's issue, you should be familiar with some of the data presented during the 10th annual Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, including the 2NN Study, the 903 Study, the D:A:D Study, and several new antiretroviral therapies, among others.
Stephen Tabet, M.D., MPH - University of Washington
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