Introduction

This year CROI was generally an optimistic conference, with studies on new drugs, a few news studies on side effects and lipodystrophy, and a range of other interesting smaller studies. The presentation of the SMART study provided sufficient new data to restart discussions on treatment interruptions, large-scale research, and by implications, the optimal timing for initial treatment.

CROI also provides some of the best online support for people unable to attend the meeting. Abstracts are online already, and are searchable by subject or author. Webcasts are routinely provided of the plenary talks, and this year for the first time, are also provided for the most important oral scientific presentations. These online presentations, including slides, can also me downloaded as mp3 audio files or podcasts.

The 13th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections
http://www.retroconference.org

Reports in this issue of HTB from CROI include:

• Early integrase inhibitor studies in treatment experienced patients raise hopes for new drugs in a new class
• Atazanavir in treatment naïve patients, with and without ritonavir boosting
• Summary of STI studies: SMART shows clear increased risk from interrupting treatment at any CD4 count
• The effect of repeated single-dose nevirapine for PMTCT in a second pregnancy
• Should the criteria for initiation of HAART be revisited in pregnant women?
• Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis in pregnancy
• CNS penetration of ARV drugs is associated with lower CSF viral load
• Sexually transmission of hepatitis C in HIV-positive men in the UK
• D:A:D study shows that PIs rather than NNRTIs drive the previously reported cardiovascular risk of combinatio antiretroviral therapy
• Interventions for the management of lipodystrophy and metabolic complications

Further reports from CROI will also be included in the April issue of HTB.