CDC Experts Present Innovative Research at CROI in Seattle

CDC Experts Present Innovative Research at CROI in Seattle

From March 4-7, experts from CDC’s Division of Global HIV & TB will attend the annual Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in Seattle, Washington. CROI brings together top researchers from around the world to share the latest studies, important developments, and the best research methods in the global fight against HIV, Tuberculosis (TB) and related infectious diseases. Over 30 abstracts from CDC experts were accepted on various topics, including CDC’s efforts to help countries to accelerate controlling their HIV epidemics. Here are just a few of the highlights:

Examining mortality rates in Western Kenya

Understanding changes in mortality among those living with HIV is critical to understanding a country’s path to controlling the HIV epidemic. However, there is limited information on how the current efforts to rapidly expand HIV treatment are impacting mortality in the general population in sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, CDC and partners examined mortality rates among HIV-positive people and the general population in Western Kenya from 2011 to 2016.

Comparing viral suppression and yield of HIV tests in Kenya

High coverage of HIV treatment and high rates of viral load suppression should reduce the spread of HIV, and ultimately, HIV incidence and the number of new diagnoses. CDC researchers reviewed HIV program data in the country to assess trends in new HIV diagnoses with treatment coverage and viral suppression rates through the lens of geography and over a three-year period.

Reducing HIV incidence in Mozambique

Reducing HIV incidence through increasing coverage of combination biomedical interventions, such as voluntary medical male circumcision, HIV testing, diagnosis, and use of antiretroviral treatment for people living with HIV, has not been evaluated in Mozambique. CDC’s experts CDC’s experts analyzed data from the Chókwè Health Demographic System in Chókwè District Mozambique to evaluate trends in HIV incidence, and prevalence of viral load suppression, and combination biomedical interventions.