As the medical community becomes increasingly aware of the presence of different HIV-1 subtypes, questions have been raised about the ability of current assays to accurately quantify the virus. Additionally, there is a growing body of evidence that certain current assays may inaccurately quantify some variants of the virus. This has prompted the medical community to acknowledge the need to address the clinical issues surrounding the identification and treatment of HIV subtypes.

The conference organizers hope to provide a forum for assisting physicians in their care for patients with HIV subtypes. The goals of the conference include helping physicians identify patients who may have HIV-1 non-B subtypes and/or HIV-2 as well as educating clinicians on how to select and access the appropriate diagnostic tests and virological monitoring tools for patients with such subtypes.

The conference is hosted by the African Services Committee, an 18-year old nonprofit, non-governmental organization recognized in consultative status to the United Nations. HIV Genetic Diversity: Emerging Clinical Issues is cosponsored by Treatment Action Group (TAG) and the New York City Department of Health (NYCDOH). The conference is supported in part by an unrestricted educational grant from Bayer Diagnostics.

Following are selected conference summaries of abstracts reported exclusively for The Body by Jay Dobkin, M.D., Director of the AIDS Center, and an Associate Attending Physician, Department of Infectious Diseases, at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital, New York.

Funding for this conference coverage at The Body is provided, in part, by an unrestricted educational grant by Bayer Diagnostics.

Conference Summaries:

Wednesday, June 30, 1999

• Report on Genetic Diversity Conference
  Coverage by Jay Dobkin, M.D.
  1. Presentation I: Epidemiology of Transmission of HIV-1 Non-B Types and HIV-2 in the United States
  2. Presentation II: HIV-1 Non-B Subtypes and HIV-2 Laboratory Diagnosis, Monitoring and Clinical Management
  3. Presentation III: Case Presentations
  4. Presentation IV: Antiviral Drug Susceptibility of HIV-1 Non-B Subtypes and HIV-2