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BackgroundDiscrimination among HIV types is important because HIV-2 is naturally resistant to some of the first-line drugs used in the treatment of HIV-1. We evaluated three assays for HIV-type discriminatory capacity: SD Bioline HIV 1/2 3.0 (Bioline), First Response HIV 1-2-0 Card Test (First Response) and Genie III HIV-1/HIV-2 (Genie III).MethodsBased on results from the Bioline assay, samples from 239 HIV-infected patients from the Bissau HIV cohort in Guinea-Bissau were retrospectively selected for evaluation. Genie III and First Response were scored by three independent readers and compared with a reference test (INNO-LIA HIV I/II Score) confirmed by HIV RNA as well as DNA detection.ResultsThe best performing test was Genie III, with an average agreement with the reference test of 93.4%, followed by First Response (86.1%) and Bioline (72.4%). First Response and Bioline were scored with a false high number of HIV-1/2 dual infections. For both First Response and Genie III, there were discrepancies among independent readers, and some tests were scored as HIV non-reactive.ConclusionsUsing these rapid tests with a suboptimal performance will presumably result in a high rate of false HIV-1/2 dual diagnoses, depriving patients of alternative treatment options in cases of treatment failure.

In Denmark, about 50% of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are undiagnosed. Since 2014, therapy containing direct-acting antivirals (DAA) has proven efficient and is available to all patients, who have a chronic HCV infection and a Danish personal identification number. The World Health Organization has a goal of elimination of viral hepatitis in 2030. Elimination of HCV in Denmark should focus on reducing HCV transmission, incidence and prevalence, combined with treatment with DAA of all infected patients. Micro-elimination strategies may play a major role, but a national strategy is lacking.

Additional file 1. Description of study questionnaire.

Macrophages play important roles during HIV-infection, reflected by changes in macrophage-activation biomarker sCD163. Here, we present data on the novel macrophage-activation biomarker soluble mannose receptor/CD206 (sMR/sCD206) in HIV-infection.We investigated sCD206 blood levels at baseline and follow-up with/without ART, in 212 patients with HIV-1, HIV-2, or dual infection.At baseline, there was no difference in sCD206 level between HIV-types, and sCD206 was unchanged at follow-up without ART. However, contrary to sCD163, sCD206 levels decreased significantly for both HIV-1 and HIV-2, but not for HIV-1/2 patients, during ART. Further investigations are needed to establish sCD206 as biomarker in HIV-infection.

OBJECTIVES: We describe factors associated with and barriers to initiation of Direct Acting Antiviral (DAA) treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C, who fulfill national fibrosis treatment guidelines in Denmark.MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this nationwide cohort study, we included patients with chronic hepatitis C from The Danish Database for Hepatitis B and C (DANHEP) who fulfilled fibrosis treatment criteria. Factors associated with treatment initiation and treatment failure were determined by logistic regression analyses. Medical records were reviewed from patients who fulfilled fibrosis treatment criteria, but did not initiate DAA treatment to determine the cause.RESULTS: In 344 (49%) of 700 patients, who fulfilled treatment criteria, factors associated with DAA treatment initiation were transmission by other routes than injecting drug use odds ratio (OR) 2.13 (CI: 1.38-3.28), previous treatment failure OR 2.58 (CI: 1.84-3.61) and ALT above upper limit of normal OR 1.60 (CI: 1.18-2.17). The most frequent reasons for not starting treatment among 356 (51%) patients were non-adherence to medical appointments (n = 107/30%) and ongoing substance use (n = 61/17%). Treatment failure with viral relapse occurred in 19 (5.5%) patients, who were more likely to have failed previous treatment OR 4.53 (CI: 1.59-12.91).CONCLUSIONS: In this nationwide cohort study, we found non-adherence to medical appointments and active substance use to be major obstacles for DAA treatment initiation. Our findings highlight the need for interventions that can overcome these barriers and increase the number of patients who can initiate and benefit from curative DAA treatment.

Background: Early identification of patients with chronic viral hepatitis coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is essential for optimal care. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of HIV coinfection among patients newly diagnosed with chronic viral hepatitis, HIV testing prevalence, and identify factors associated with coinfection.Methods: Patients with chronic viral hepatitis newly enrolled in The Danish Database for Hepatitis B and C between 2002 and 2015 were identified. The HIV coinfection prevalence was calculated, and risk factors associated with HIV coinfection were estimated by logistic regression.Results: In total, 8490 patients were included: 3091 had chronic hepatitis B (CHB), 5305 had chronic hepatitis C (CHC), and 94 had CHB and CHC. The prevalence of HIV coinfection was 4.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.0-4.9) and was higher among CHC and CHB-CHC patients than CHB patients with a prevalence of 5.3% (95% CI, 4.7-5.9), 6.4% (95% CI, 2.4-13.4), and 2.9 (95% CI, 2.3-3.5), respectively (P < .0001). The HIV testing prevalence increased from 65% to 88% between 2002 and 2014 concurrently with a decrease in the HIV coinfection prevalence from 7.8% (95% CI, 5.5-10.7) to 1.6% (95% CI, 0.7-3.2). Age 35-50 years, male sex, and sexual route of viral hepatitis transmission were associated with HIV coinfection with odds ratios of 4.42 (95% CI, 1.40-13.94), 2.21 (95% CI, 1.74-2.81), and 8.81 (95% CI, 6.30-12.33), respectively.Conclusions: The prevalence of HIV coinfection among patients with newly diagnosed chronic viral hepatitis decreased concurrently with an increase in HIV testing prevalence.

People with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection who have failed treatment with an all-oral regimen represent a challenging treatment population. The present studies evaluated the safety and efficacy of grazoprevir, ruzasvir, and uprifosbuvir, with or without ribavirin, in participants who had failed an NS5A inhibitor-containing regimen. C-SURGE (PN-3682-021) and C-CREST Part C (PN-3682-011 and -012) were open-label, multicenter studies. Participants who had previously relapsed following an NS5A inhibitor-containing all-oral regimen were retreated with grazoprevir 100 mg, ruzasvir 60 mg, and uprifosbuvir 450 mg alone for 24 weeks or with ribavirin for 16 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was undetectable HCV RNA (CONCLUSION: Grazoprevir, ruzasvir, and uprifosbuvir, with or without ribavirin, for 16 or 24 weeks was safe and highly effective in participants with HCV infection who had previously failed NS5A inhibitor-containing therapy. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Background:CNS infection caused by Actinomyces spp. is rare and the subtype Actinomyces meyeri even rarer. Risk factors include periodontal disease and alcohol overuse. We present a case report of a 54-year-old female with dental and lung foci. Case history:A female was hospitalised with tonic-clonic convulsions. She reported a week of headaches, dizziness, fever, respiratory chest pain, and productive cough, following six months of night sweats and an unintended weight loss of 7-8 kg. She appeared dyspnoeic, and fatigued, with a temperature of 37.7°C, leucocytosis, thrombocytosis, and CRP at 68. Lobar pneumonia was suspected and penicillin treatment initiated. Chest x-ray showed a pulmonary nodule; CT-scan of chest and abdomen without tumour-suspicion showed bilateral basal atelectasis. Tonic-clonic seizures were observed. CT-cerebrum revealed a tumour in the left frontotemporal region with surrounding oedema. By MRI an abscess was suspected and the patient was transferred to the department of neurosurgery, where drainage was performed. Microscopy revealed gram-positive cocci and gram-negative rods and iv. treatment with ceftriaxone 4g x 1 and metronidazole 1g x 1 was commenced. Pus cultures showed Prevotella spp. and A. meyeri and the initial treatment was changed to penicillin G 5 MIU x 4 and metronidazole 500 mg x 3 for four weeks followed by oral amoxicillin 500 mg x 3 for three months. The abscess regressed on this treatment and there were no CNS related symptoms at three months follow-up. The source of infection was most likely periodontitis with spread to the lungs from aspiration or oropharyngeal secretion into the respiratory tract, alternatively from haematogenous spread. Conclusions:We report of the successful treatment of a cerebral abscess caused by A. meyeri with narrow spectrum antibiotics. The optimal treatment of A. meyeri CNS infection has not yet been established – case reports are important in reaching this goal.

The members of the Bissau HIV cohort study group are: Amabelia Rodrigues, David da Silva, Zacarias da Silva, Candida Medina, Ines Oliviera-Souto, Lars ∅stergaard, Alex Laursen, Morten Sodemann, Peter Aaby, Anders Fomsgaard, Christian Erikstrup, Jesper Eugen-Olsen and Christian Wejse (chair). Background: Co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) may lead to accelerated hepatic disease progression with higher rates of liver cirrhosis and liver-related mortality compared with HBV mono-infection. Co or super-infection with hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) may worsen the liver disease and complicate treatment possibilities. Methods: In this cross-sectional study we included HIV-infected individuals who had a routine blood analysis performed at an HIV clinic in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau between the 28th of April and 30th of September 2011. All patients were interviewed, had a clinical exam performed and had a blood sample stored. The patients' samples were tested for HBV and HDV serology, and HBV/HDV viral loads were analyzed using in-house real-time PCR methods. Results: In total, 576 patients (417 HIV-1, 104 HIV-2 and 55 HIV-1/2) were included in this study. Ninety-four (16.3%) patients were HBsAg positive of whom 16 (17.0%) were HBeAg positive. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, CD4 cell count

As HIV-2 is intrinsically resistant to nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, it is mandatory to discriminate between HIV types before initiating antiretroviral treatment. Guinea-Bissau has the world's highest prevalence of HIV-2 and HIV-1/HIV-2 dually infected individuals. We evaluated 3 rapid tests for discrimination between HIV-1, HIV-2, and dual infections among 219 patients from Guinea-Bissau by comparing with the gold standard (INNO-LIA). Genie III HIV-1/HIV-2 was the best performer with regard to discriminatory capacity (agreement 91.8%), followed by Immunoflow HIV1-HIV2 (agreement 90.9%) and SD Bioline HIV-1/2 3.0 (agreement 84.5%). Our results underscore the need for evaluation of tests in relevant populations before implementation.

Endothelial dysfunction and inflammation have been demonstrated to be markers of cardiovascular risk. We investigated the effects of HIV infection per se and the antiretroviral treatment prescribed on the levels of risk factors of cardiovascular disease.

Background: Decisions about when to start anantiretroviral therapy (ART) are normally based on CD4cell counts and viral load (VL). However, thesemeasurements require equipment beyond the capacityof most laboratories in low-income and middle-incomesettings. Thus, there is an urgent need to identify andtest simple markers to guide the optimal time forstarting and for monitoring the effect of ART indeveloping countries.Objectives: (1) To evaluate anthropometricmeasurements and measurement of plasma-solubleform of the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor(suPAR) levels as potential risk factors for earlymortality among HIV-infected patients; (2) to assesswhether these markers could help identify patients towhom ART should be prioritised and (3) to determineif these markers may add information to CD4 cell countwhen VL is not available.Design: An observational study.Setting: The largest ART centre in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau.Participants: 1083 ART-naïve HIV-infected patients.Outcome measures: Associations between baselineanthropometric measurements, CD4 cell counts,plasma suPAR levels and survival were examined usingCox proportional hazards models.Results: Low body mass index (BMI≤18.5 kg/m2),low mid-upper-arm-circumference (MUAC≤250 mm),low CD4 cell count (≤350 cells/μl) and high suPARplasma levels (>5.3 ng/ml) were independentpredictors of death. Furthermore, mortality amongpatients with low CD4 cell count, low MUAC orlow BMI was concentrated in the highest suPARquartile.Conclusions: Irrespective of ART initiation andbaseline CD4 count, MUAC and suPAR plasma levelswere independent predictors of early mortality inthis urban cohort. These markers could be useful inidentifying patients at the highest risk of short-termmortality and may aid triage for ART when CD4 cellcount is not available or when there is shortness ofantiretroviral drugs. BACKGROUND: Decisions about when to start an antiretroviral therapy (ART) are normally based on CD4 cell counts and viral load (VL). However, these measurements require equipment beyond the capacity of most laboratories in low-income and middle-income settings. Thus, there is an urgent need to identify and test simple markers to guide the optimal time for starting and for monitoring the effect of ART in developing countries. OBJECTIVES: (1) To evaluate anthropometric measurements and measurement of plasma-soluble form of the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) levels as potential risk factors for early mortality among HIV-infected patients; (2) to assess whether these markers could help identify patients to whom ART should be prioritised and (3) to determine if these markers may add information to CD4 cell count when VL is not available. DESIGN: An observational study. SETTING: The largest ART centre in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. PARTICIPANTS: 1083 ART-naïve HIV-infected patients. OUTCOME MEASURES: Associations between baseline anthropometric measurements, CD4 cell counts, plasma suPAR levels and survival were examined using Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Low body mass index (BMI≤18.5 kg/m(2)), low mid-upper-arm-circumference (MUAC≤250 mm), low CD4 cell count (≤350 cells/μl) and high suPAR plasma levels (>5.3 ng/ml) were independent predictors of death. Furthermore, mortality among patients with low CD4 cell count, low MUAC or low BMI was concentrated in the highest suPAR quartile. CONCLUSIONS: Irrespective of ART initiation and baseline CD4 count, MUAC and suPAR plasma levels were independent predictors of early mortality in this urban cohort. These markers could be useful in identifying patients at the highest risk of short-term mortality and may aid triage for ART when CD4 cell count is not available or when there is shortness of antiretroviral drugs.

The Danish Society of Infectious Diseases and Danish Society of Gastroenterology and Hepatology set up a committee in 2007 to produce national guidelines for treatment of viral hepatitis B and C. The 2011 version of the guidelines have been endorsed by the scientific societies and are presented below. Annual updates will be available at the websites of the societies. As this present English version has been written six months after the Danish 2011 version, it contains minor changes that will be integrated in the Danish 2012 version, available at the end this year. Epidemiology: Viral hepatitis is not common in Denmark. The prevalence has not been determined by national surveys, but it is estimated that 10,000-15,000 patients are chronically infected with hepatitis B and 15,000-20,000 with chronic hepatitis C. The majority of patients with HBV infection in Denmark are emigrants from high endemic countries, probably infected at birth or early childhood in their country of origin, while the majority of patients with HCV infection have been infected by drug use. For both groups it is estimated that only half of the patients have been diagnosed, of whom only 20% attends specialized care for their chronic viral hepatitis. Clinical care: According to the Danish National Board of Health, patients with chronic viral hepatitis should be followed with regular intervals, at clinics specialized in either infectious diseases or gastroenterology/hepatology. The primary aim is to identify patients with significant liver disease to initiate treatment in order to prevent development of cirrhosis and death. This is primarily done by liver biopsy, but screening for fibrosis with non-invasive methods such as elastography may be sufficient in some patients. Patients with established cirrhosis should enter screening programs for complications such as esophageal varices and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective. To explore the influence of HBV genotype on viral load in patients with HBV infection, and to investigate the relation to gender, age and country of origin or antibodies against hepatitis Be antigen (anti-HBe). Materials. We investigated 1025 patients with hepatitis B virus infection in a nationwide study in Denmark. Results. Prevalence of genotypes were: 10.5% A, 17.3% B, 20.5% C, 45.7% D, 3.2% E, 0.6% F, 1.1% G and 1% had more than one genotype. Nearly 60% of patients with genotype A were from Africa, 82% and 93% with genotypes B or C were from East Asia, 62% with genotype D came from the Middle East and 91% with genotype E came from Africa. More women had genotypes B (p = 0.006) or C (p

Udgivelsesdato: 2010-Nov The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 4 has increased throughout Europe. This is an epidemiological study of patients infected chronically with HCV genotype 4 in Denmark. The HCV strains analyzed originated from patient samples collected between 1999 and 2007 as part of the national Danish hepatitis B and C network, DANHEP. Sequence analyses were based on the envelope 1 region of HCV. Results from a total of 72 patients indicated a high degree of genetic heterogeneity. Fifty-six patients (78%) were infected with one of the three dominating subtypes: 4d, 4a, or 4r. The remaining 16 patients (22%) were infected with subtypes 4h, 4k, 4l, 4n, 4o, or 4Unclassified. Three epidemiological profiles were identified: (1) patients infected with HCV by intravenous drug use were infected solely with subtype 4d. They were all of European origin, and 15 of the 16 patients were ethnic Danes. No single transmission event could be confirmed, but the pairwise nucleotide identity within the patients of Danish origin was relatively high (∼95%), suggesting a recent introduction into Denmark. (2) The 21 patients infected with subtype 4a all came from Northern Africa, Egypt, Pakistan, or the Middle East. (3) Patients from Southern Africa dominated among patients infected with subtype 4r (10 of 12 patients). This study demonstrates that HCV genotype 4d has been introduced in and spread among Danish intravenous drug users. The remaining subtypes show restricted distribution, infecting almost exclusively patients from geographical areas with a relatively high prevalence of HCV genotype 4 infections. J. Med. Virol. 82:1869-1877, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Udgivelsesdato: 2009 Summary. Predictive factors for initiation of antiviral therapy in chronically infected hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients are not fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to determine predictive factors for initiation of treatment with standard or pegylated interferon either alone or combined with ribavirin. A Danish cohort of individuals chronically infected with HCV was used and observation time was calculated from the date of inclusion in the cohort to date of death, last clinical observation, 1 January 2007, or start of HCV antiviral treatment in treatment-naïve patients. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to construct time to event curves. Cox regression was used to determine the incidence rate ratios as estimates of relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). A total of 1780 patients were enrolled in the study. The cumulative chance of treatment initiation over 5 years was 33.0%. We found several strong predictors of treatment initiation: elevated alanine aminotransferase [>2 times upper limit (RR = 2.17, 95% CI 1.64-2.87), >3 times upper limit (RR = 3.64, 95% CI 2.75-4.81)], genotype 2 or 3 (RR = 1.86, 95% CI 1.49-2.31) and HIV co-infection (RR = 0.28, 95% CI 0.15-0.53). To our knowledge, this study is the first to estimate factors predicting initiation of antiviral treatment in patients with chronic HCV infection on a nationwide scale. We found that several of the factors predicting initiation of antiviral treatment correlate with factors known to predict a better response to treatment and factors known to increase the progression of liver disease.

Udgivelsesdato: 25. feb. 2008

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of new HIV diagnoses in Denmark has remained stable since 1991, but it has increased among the subgroup of homosexual men in recent years. This may reflect an actual increase in newly infected, e.g. as a result of increased risk behaviour, or it may reflect increased HIV testing. To clarify the causes of this increase we describe and analyse the development of HIV infection in Denmark in the period 1995-2005 with special emphasis on the route of transmission, immunological status at the time of diagnosis and the prevalence of patients at risk of transmitting HIV. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Observational study based on the Danish HIV Cohort Study, which includes all adults seen at Danish HIV clinics since 1995. RESULTS: From 2000 to 2004 the number of newly-infected homosexual men increased (from 69 to 123), particularly in persons under 30 years (from 5 to 42). The median CD4 cell count at the time of diagnosis increased in this group (median 19.1 cells/microL per year [95% CI: 3.7-11.3]), while it remained stable among heterosexually infected. The number of newly-diagnosed homosexually infected under 30 years with a CD4 cell count over 400 cells/microL increased from 0 in 2000 to 23 in 2004. The prevalence of patients with high viral load (and thus potentially at risk of transmitting HIV) decreased in all risk groups. CONCLUSION: Newly-diagnosed homosexual men present at an earlier stage of disease progression and with a better preserved immune system today than 5-10 years ago, presumably due to a combination of frequent HIV testing and increased risk behaviour among young homosexuals in particular. Increased preventive measures targeting known risk groups are necessary to prevent further spread. Udgivelsesdato: 2008-Feb-25

During the last ten years Denmark has received an increasing number of immigrants, especially from the Balkans, the Middle East, and Somalia. Some of these may suffer from the zoonoses occurring in their country of origin. But apart from echinococcosis, zoonoses in these immigrants do not seem to pose a quantitatively greater problem than in Danes who have visited these areas. However it is important to have a knowledge of the symptoms and mode of transmission of zoonoses occurring in areas where the immigrants come from.

Udgivelsesdato: 2009-Aug-26 Chronic immune activation is a driver of Human Immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) disease progression. Here, we describe that subjects with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV)/HIV-1 co-infection display sharply elevated immune activation as determined by CD38 expression in T cells. This occurs despite effective anti-retroviral therapy, in both CD8 and CD4 T cells, and is more pronounced than in the appropriate mono-infected control groups. Interestingly, suppression of HCV by pegylated interferon-alpha and ribavirin treatment reduces activation. High HCV loads and elevated levels of chronic immune activation may contribute to the fast rates of viral disease progression observed in HCV/HIV-1 co-infected patients.

Table of contents A1 Introduction to the 2nd synchronicity forum of GHRI/CHVI-funded Canadian and African HIV prevention and vaccine teams O1 Voluntary medical male circumcision for prevention of heterosexual transmission of HIV in adult males in Soweto: What do indicators and incidence rate show? Hillary Mukudu, Neil Martinson, Benn Sartorius O2 Developing a peer-led community mobilization program for sex workers in Soweto: HIV risk and demographics Jenny Coetzee, Janan Dietrich, Kgaugelo Mokgatswana, Rachel Jewkes, Glenda E. Gray O3 Salient beliefs about adherence: A qualitative survey conducted as part of the demonstration study on "treatment as prevention" (TasP) and "pre-exposure prophylaxis" (PrEP) among female sex workers (FSWS) in Cotonou, Benin Marylène Dugas, Luc Béhanzin, Fernand A. Guédou, Marie-Pierre Gagnon, Michel Alary O4 Relative perception of risk as a driver of unsafe sexual practices among key populations: Cases of fisherfolk and women and their partners involved in multiple sexual partnerships in Uganda Rwamahe Rutakumwa, Martin Mbonye, Thadeus Kiwanuka, Sarah Nakamanya, Richard Muhumuza, Winfred Nalukenge, Janet Seeley O5 Exploring the acceptability of new biomedical HIV prevention technologies among MSM, adolescents and heterosexual adults in South Africa Millicent Atujuna, Melissa Wallace, Ben Brown, Linda Gail Bekker, Peter A. Newman O6 HIV-susceptible target cells in foreskins after voluntary medical male circumcision in South Africa Rushil Harryparsad, Abraham J. Olivier, Heather B. Jaspan, Douglas Wilson, Janan Dietrich, Neil Martinson, Hillary Mukudu, Nonhlanhla Mkhize, Lynn Morris, Gianguido Cianci, Minh Dinh, Thomas Hope, Jo-Ann S. Passmore, Clive M. Gray O7 HIV-1 proteins activate innate immune responses via TLR2 heterodimers Bethany M. Henrick, Xiao-Dan Yao, Kenneth L. Rosenthal, the INFANT Study Team O8 Characterization of an innate factor in human milk and mechanisms of action against HIV-1 Bethany M. Henrick, Xiao-Dan Yao, Anna G. Drannik, Alash’le Abimiku, Kenneth L. Rosenthal, the INFANT Study Team O9 Secretor status and susceptibility to HIV infections among female sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya Nadia Chanzu, Walter Mwanda, Julius Oyugi, Omu Anzala O10 Natural Killer cell recall responsiveness to Gag-HIV-1 peptides of HIV-1 exposed but uninfected subjects are associated with peripheral CXCR6+ NK cell subsets Moustapha Mbow, Sabelle Jallow, Moussa Thiam, Alberta Davis, Assane Diouf, Cheikh T. Ndour, Moussa Seydi, Tandakha N. Dieye, Souleymane Mboup, Martin Goodier, Eleanor Rilley, Assan Jaye O11 Profiles of resistance: Local innate mucosal immunity to HIV-1 in commercial sex workers Xiao-Dan Yao, RW. Omange, Bethany M. Henrick, Richard T. Lester, Joshua Kimani, T. Blake Ball, Francis A. Plummer, Kenneth L. Rosenthal O12 Early antiretroviral therapy and pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention among female sex workers in Cotonou, Benin: A demonstration project Luc Béhanzin, Fernand A. Guédou, Nassirou Geraldo, Ella Goma Mastétsé, Jerôme Charles Sossa, Marcel Djimon Zannou, Michel Alary O13 Building capacity for HIV prevention trials: Preliminary data from a Nigerian cohort of HIV exposed sero-negatives (HESN) Sophia Osawe, Evaezi Okpokoro, Felicia Okolo, Stephen Umaru, Rebecca Abimiku, Sam Audu, Pam Datong, Alash’le Abimiku O14 Equipping healthcare professionals with skills required for the conduct of clinical trials in an effort to build capacity. Lessons learned Jacquelyn Nyange, Joyce Olenja, Gaudensia Mutua, Walter Jaoko, Gloria Omosa-Manyonyi, Bashir Farah, Maureen Khaniri, Omu Anzala O15 Educational technology to support active learning for HIV researchers and planners Anne Cockcroft, Kendra Tonkin, Indu Girish, Puna Mhati, Ashley Cunningham, Neil Andersson O16 From Lake Kivu (Rwanda) and Lake Malawi (Tanzania) to the shores of Lake Victoria (Uganda): Strengthening laboratory capacity through Good Clinical Laboratory Practice training Bashir Farah, Jackton Indangasi, Walter Jaoko, Gaudensia Mutua, Maureen Khaniri, Jacquelyn Nyange, Omu Anzala O17 Rilpivirine and etravirine resistance mutations in HIV-1 subtype C infected patients on a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based combination antiretroviral therapy in Botswana Thabo Diphoko, Simani Gaseitsiwe, Victoria Maiswe, Thato Iketleng, Dorcas Maruapula, Keabetswe Bedi, Sikhulile Moyo, Rosemary Musonda, Mark Wainberg, Joseph Makhema, Vladimir Novitsky, Richard Marlink, Max Essex O18 From home-based HIV testing to initiation of treatment: The AIDS Support Organization (TASO) Experience with Home-based HIV Counselling and Testing (HBHCT) among Adolescents in Uganda, 2005-2011 Stephen Okoboi, Livingstone Ssali, Sam Kalibala, Josephine Birungi, Aggrey Egessa, Jonathan Wangisi, Lyavala Joanne Okullu, Celestin Bakanda, Francis Obare41 O19 Feasibility study on using real time medication monitoring among HIV infected and Tuberculosis patients in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania I. Marion Sumari-de Boer, Hadija H. Semvua, Jossy van den Boogaard, Krisanta W. Kiwango, Kennedy M. Ngowi, Pythia T. Nieuwkerk, Rob E. Aarnoutse, Ireen Kiwelu, Eva Muro, Gibson S. Kibiki O20 Deaths still among sero-discordant cohort in Nigeria despite Access to treatment Ruth Datiri, Grace Choji, Sophia Osawe, Evaezi Okpokoro, Felicia Okolo, Stephen Umaru, Rebecca Abimiku, Samuel Audu, Pam Datong, Alash’le Abimiku O21 Therapeutic HIV-1 vaccine trials in Denmark and Guinea-Bissau Fomsgaard A, Karlsson I, Jensen KJ, Jensen SS, Leo-Hansen C, Jespersen S, Da Silva Té D, Rodrigues CM, da Silva ZJ, Janitzek CM, Gerstoft J, Kronborg G, the WAPHIR Group O22 Willingness to participate in a HIV vaccine Trial among HIV exposed sero-negative (HESN) persons in Jos, Nigeria Evaezi Okpokoro, Sophia Osawe, Ruth Daitiri, Grace Choji, Stephen Umaru, Felicia Okolo, Pam Datong, Alash'le Abimiku O23 Clinical research volunteers’ perceptions and experiences of screening for enrolment at KAVI-Institute of Clinical Research, Kenya Nyariki Emily, Olenja Joyce, Lorway R. Robert, Anzala Anzala O24 Gut microbiome, HIV-exposure, and vaccine responses in South African infants Katie Viljoen, Jerome Wendoh, Elvis Kidzeru, Ulas Karaoz, Eoin Brodie, Gerrit Botha, Nicola Mulder, Clive Gray, William Cameron, Alain Stintzi, Heather Jaspan, for the INFANT study team O25 Analysis of HIV pol diversity in the concentrated HIV epidemic in Saskatchewan Paul N. Levett, David Alexander, Naveed Gulzar, Prabvir S. Grewal, Art F. Y. Poon, Zabrina Brumme, P. Richard Harrigan, James I. Brooks, Paul A. Sandstrom, Stryker Calvez, Stephen E. Sanche, Jamie K. Scott P1 Evaluating a HIV vaccine research community engagement programme at two HIV prevention research centres in the Western Cape Leslie Swartz, Ashraf Kagee, Anthea Lesch, Zuhayr Kafaar, Anneliese De Wet P2 Validating HIV acquisition risk score using a cohort HIV exposed sero-negative persons in a discordant relationship in Jos, Nigeria, West Africa Evaezi Okpokoro, Sophia Osawe, Ruth Daitiri, Grace Choji, Stephen Umaru, Felicia Okolo, Pam Datong, Alash'le Abimiku P3 Bridging the gap between adults and adolescents and youth adults (AYA) – Employing a youth-centred approach to investigate HIV risk among AYA in Soweto and Durban, South Africa Janan Dietrich, Tricia Smith, Laura Cotton, Stefanie Hornschuh, Martin van der Watt, Cari L. Miller, Glenda Gray, Jenni Smit, Manjeetha Jaggernath, Thumbi Ndung’u, Mark Brockman, Angela Kaida, on behalf of the AYAZAZI study teams P4 Neighbours to sex workers: A key population that has been ignored Maureen Akolo, Joshua Kimani, Prof Larry Gelmon, Michael Chitwa, Justus Osero P5 Young women’s access to structural support programmes in a district of Botswana Anne Cockcroft, Nobantu Marokoane, Leagajang Kgakole, Boikhutso Maswabi, Neo Mpofu, Umaira Ansari, Neil Andersson P6 Voices for action from peri-urban Ugandan students, teachers and parents on HIV/STI prevention: Qualitative research results Nakinobe Elizabeth, Miiro George Mukalazi, Zalwango Flavia, Nakiyingi-Miiro Jessica, Kaleebu Potiano P7 Engaging Social Media as an education tool on the fly: The use of Facebook for HIV and Ebola prevention and awareness amongst adolescents in Uganda John Ross Semwanga, Emily Nyanzi, Saidat Namuli Musoke, Elizabeth Nakinobe, George Miiro, Edward Katongole Mbidde, Tom Lutalo, Pontiano Kaleebu P8 Circulating HIV-1 subtypes among sexual minority populations in Zambia Ray Handema, Graham P. Chianzu P9 The Development of HIV Bio-bank resource management to support clinical trial and Intervention research: WAPHIR experience Moussa Thiam, Diabou Diagne-Gueye, Mame K. Ndiaye, Moustapha Mbow, Birahim P. Ndiaye, Ibrahima Traore, Mamadou C. Dia, Gilleh Thomas, Coumba Tour-Kane, Souleymane Mboup, Assan Jaye P10 Capacity building for clinical trials as a novel approach for scaling up HIV prevention research initiatives in East Africa: achievements and challenges Emily Nyanzi, Edward Katongole Mbidde, Pontiano Kaleebu, Juliet Mpendo, Joshua Kimani, Josephine Birungi, Winnie Muyindike, Andrew Kambugu P11 Community and media perspective of research; an advocacy workshop on HIV prevention research Hachizovu Sebastian, Handema Ray, Chaponda Mike, Kabuya Jean Bertin, Mulenga Modest P12 Development of a quantitative HIV-1 and HIV-2 real time PCR (qRT-PCR) viral load assay Moussa Thiam, Omar Janha, Alberta Davis, Alfred Amambua-Ngwa, Davis C. Nwakanma, Souleymane Mboup, Assan Jaye P13 Differential effects of sex in a West African Cohort of HIV-1, HIV-2 and HIV-1/2 dual infected patients: Men are worse off Sanne Jespersen, Bo Langhoff Hønge, Joakim Esbjörnsson, Candida Medina, David Da Silva TÉ, Faustino Gomes Correira, Alex Lund Laursen, Lars Østergaard, Andreas Andersen, Peter Aaby, Christian Erikstrup, Christian Wejse, for the Bissau HIV Cohort study group P14 HIV-infected adolescents in transition from pediatric to adult HIV care in Dakar, Senegal: sample characteristics and immunological and virological profiles Siry Dieye, Moussa Sarr, Haby Sy, Helene D Mbodj, Marianne Ndiaye, Amy Ndiaye, Seydi Moussa, Assan Jaye, Souleymane Mboup100 P15 Molecular characterization of vertically transmitted HIV-1 among children born to HIV-1 seropositive mothers in Northern Tanzania Balthazar M. Nyombi, Elichilia R. Shao, Innocent B. Chilumba, Sikhulile Moyo, Simani Gaseitsiwe, Rosemary Musonda P16 Breast-fed HIV-1 exposed infants play catch up. A preliminary report Pam Datong, Bucky Inyang, Sophia Osawe, Abel Izang, Chundung Cole, Felicia Okolo, Bill Cameron, Kenneth Rosenthal, Clive Gray, Heather Jaspan, Alash’le Abimiku, the INFANT study team P17 The frequency of N348I mutation in patient failing combination antiretroviral treatment In Botswana Boitumelo Seraise, Kerstin Andrea-Marobela, Sikhulile Moyo, Rosemary Musonda, Joseph Makhema, Max Essex, Simani Gaseitsiwe