The XVIth Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) took place in Montreal from February 8 to 11, 2009. Relay’s Co-Editor-in- Chief Dr. Harold Dion was there and reports some of the highlights from the meeting.

Preventing transmission

In 2008, Swiss researchers suggested that people taking ARVs whose plasma viral load (viral load apparent on a blood test) had been undetectable for at least six months may not be at risk for transmitting HIV.

New treatments

Little research on new antiretroviral treatments was presented. However, two early-stage (Phase I) studies were presented on new “boosting” medications.

Update on metabolic effects

There were a great number of oral and poster presentations, reflecting the impressive amount of research going on around the world.