HIV cure research in Africa
CHAIR
Zaza Ndhlovu, Africa Health Research Institute, South Africa
Organizer
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A cure for HIV is still needed as antiretroviral therapy (ART) is lifelong, which may be difficult to sustain, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Moreover, PLWH are at increased risk of various comorbidities. Recent studies have demonstrated a proof of concept that an HIV cure is possible. However, these studies have primarily been undertaken in high income countries with relatively low disease burden, mostly in men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV-1 subtype B. In contrast, most HIV-1 infections are in Africa, where the epidemic consists of multiple non-B subtypes, and is more evenly distributed among males and females of all ages. Cure strategies will therefore need to be effective in sub-Saharan Africa for global health impact. The Sub-Saharan African Network for TB/HIV Research Excellence (SANTHE) leads this session focused on highlighting African-led HIV cure research.

18:00
10 min
Overview of SANTHE’s scope of work in HIV cure research
Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), South Africa
18:10
1 min
HIV CURE RESEARCH - PRESENTATIONS: CHAIRED BY THUMBI NDUNG'U
Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), South Africa
18:11
8 min
Advancing HIV cure research in adolescents through proviral reservoir assessment after longstanding ART in Botswana
Botswana Harvard Health Partnership (BHP), Botswana
18:19
8 min
Exploring HIV-1 subtype C reservoir characteristics in South Africa as targets for rational cure interventions
Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), South Africa
18:27
8 min
Persistent immune activation and the HIV-1 reservoir in individuals on long-term ART in Uganda
Makerere University, Uganda
18:35
8 min
Characterisation of HIV-1 reservoir profiles and decay/expansion dynamics in HIV-1 Subtype A1 and D
Weill Cornell Medical College/Chantal Biya International Reference Center,, Cameroon
18:43
8 min
Establishing infrastructure for ATI trials and long-term follow-up in LMIC settings: challenges and opportunities
Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Zambia
18:51
10 min
Q&A including all speakers above and audience
Botswana Harvard Health Partnership (BHP), Botswana
Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), South Africa
Makerere University, Uganda
Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), South Africa
Weill Cornell Medical College/Chantal Biya International Reference Center,, Cameroon
Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Zambia
19:01
2 min
HIV CURE RESEARCH - INTERACTIVE PANEL DISCUSSION: CHAIRED BY ZAZA NDHLOVU
Africa Health Research Institute, South Africa
19:03
3 min
Tissue biology and reservoirs
Africa Health Research Institute, South Africa
19:06
3 min
Social science and its importance in HIV cure research
Africa Health Research Institute, South Africa
19:09
3 min
Gender differences
Rakai Health Sciences Program (RHSP), Uganda
19:12
3 min
Initiating ART very early in newborns and children and ATI on these children-post treatment controllers
Umkhuseli Innovation and Research Management (UIRM), South Africa
19:15
10 min
Interactive discussion including all panelists above and audience
Africa Health Research Institute, South Africa
Umkhuseli Innovation and Research Management (UIRM), South Africa
Rakai Health Sciences Program (RHSP), Uganda
Africa Health Research Institute, South Africa
19:25
5 min
Summary
Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), South Africa