Microbicides 2004 Microbicides 200428-31 March 2004, Hilton London MetropoleThe conference42 million men, women and children worldwide were living with HIV by the end of December 2002 (source: UNAIDS), including five million newly-infected during that year alone. Another 45 million people will become infected between 2002 and 2010, unless the current transmission rates can be vastly reduced. Of the 42 million, 29.4 million live in sub-Saharan Africa and 58% of them are women. Not only are women more susceptible to HIV infection, many are powerless to insist on the use of condoms or other methods of protecting themselves. In this context, and with the knowledge that an effective HIV vaccine is unlikely to be available for several years, the need for an effective topical microbicide grows ever more urgent. 2004 should prove to be a landmark year in the field of microbicide development as the first Phase III trials of novel products are due to start – the next step along the road to making a microbicide available to the millions worldwide in desperate need of protection.The aims of the Microbicides 2004 conference are to:Report novel or innovative work in the microbicides fieldProvide updates on recent microbicides research, divided into three tracks: basic science, clinical science, and behavioural science (including public health and the microbicide marketplace)Provide a forum for the discussion of new developments in microbicide research including ethical, clinical, behavioural and methodological issuesPresent opportunities for knowledge-sharing between microbicide researchers, public-health workers and advocacy organisations.There will be an opening ceremony on the evening of Sunday 28 March at which politicians, policy makers and the international media are expected. The conference will run for a full three days, each of which will contain:Scientific overviews and presentations with plenary sessions, invited lecturers and presentations of original researchWorkshops to review issues unique to microbicides such as trial design and outcome measures, and ethical issues in the clinical trials of microbicidesPoster sessions. Focus on LondonFollowing the successful Microbicides conferences in Washington in 2000 and Antwerp in 2002, March 2004 sees the focus move to London.The venue is the Hilton Metropole Hotel, two minutes by taxi from Paddington station and the Heathrow Express, with a journey time from the airport of 15 minutes. The hotel is in walking distance of Hyde Park and London’s main shopping streets, and close to Imperial College. Accommodation will be available at the venue and other hotels in the vicinity.London in March offers a variety of diversions for out-of-conference relaxation, including sight-seeing and shopping; the arts and the theatre; and pubs, clubs and restaurants to suit every taste. Conference staff will be on hand to help delegates plan their spare time.To book your place or find out more information, e-mail info@microbicides2004.org.uk or telephone the Event Office on +44 (0) 20 7720 4411
Oral: invited speaker Oral: Track A Oral: Track B Oral: Track C Poster: Track A Poster: Track B Poster: Track C Abstract only Authors

02586 HIGH RATES OF CO-MORBID CONDITIONS & PELVIC FINDINGS IN HIV+ WOMEN ENROLLED IN HPTN049

El-Sadr, Wafaa
Mayer, K; Maslankowski, L; Justman, J; Hoesley, C;Absalon, J; Gai, F; L. Soto-Torres and Kwiecien, A..
For the HPTN 049 Protocol Team

Background: The availability of effective vaginal microbicides is a key HIV prevention strategy. The assessment of the safety of these products HIV-infected persons is important as they are likely to be used by these populations.

Objectives: To describe the characteristics of HIV-infected women enrolled in an ongoing phase I double blind placebo controlled microbicide study of cellulose sulphate

Methods: HIV-infected women were enrolled at 4 US sites after screening for exclusion criteria. Baseline demographic and HIV disease characteristics, prior medical history, a pelvic examination and colposcopy were conducted.

Results: A total of 55 women were enrolled with mean age of 37.9 years, 64% African American, 15% Latino and 20% white. At baseline, mean CD4+ lymphocyte count was 588+245 cells/mm3 and viral load 4,275 copies/mm3. Antiretroviral drugs were used by 71% at baseline. History of depression was reported by 40%, anemia 24%, hepatitis C 24%, asthma 16%, hypertension 15% and diabetes 5%. History of bacterial vaginosis was reported by 9%, trichomonas by 5%, and chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis by 1 woman each. At enrollment, 7% and 49% had abnormal pelvic and colposcopic exams, respectively. The following colposcopic findings were noted: erythema (22%), petechiae/echymosis (20%), abrasion (5%), ulceration (4%), cysts (15%) and peeling (2%).

Conclusions: A high rate of co-morbid conditions, prior pelvic infections and colposcopic findings were noted in this highly selected group of HIV+ women. These findings highlight the complexities of enrolling such women and the need for pragmatic eligibility criteria. The data also support the need for determination of the safety of microbicide candidates in this population.

Wafaa El-Sadr, MD, MPH
Mailman School of Public Health, 722 West 168th Street, Room 715, New York, N.Y. 10032
(Telephone) 212 939 2936 (Fax) 212 939 2968 (E-mail) wme1@columbia.edu