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

02661 CHARACTERISATION OF RECENTLY TRANSMITTED HIV-1 VARIANTS IN SUBTYPE C INFECTED WOMEN

Rademeyer, Cecilia*
Grobler, J*; Van Harmelen, J*; Ramjee, G#; Abdool-Karim S^; Williamson, C*
* University of Cape Town, Division of Medical Virology, Cape Town; # MRC, HIV Prevention Research Unit, Durban, SA; ^University of Natal, Durban, SA

Characterization of recently transmitted HIV-1 variants is crucial to our understanding of mechanisms of transmission and the development of interventions. The majority of investigations show genetically homogeneous viral populations. However, a few studies suggested that gender differences exist, with women being more susceptible to multiple variant transmission. We identified and characterized HIV-1 populations in 19 recently infected women belonging to a sex worker cohort from Kwazulu/Natal. This cohort was established as part of a nonoxynol-9 vaginal microbicide, Col-1492, phase III trial. Samples from these women were obtained within 3 months post infection. In a subset of five samples, taken from before seroconversion, diversity was assessed in both the envelope C2C3 and p17p24 region through heteroduplex tracking assays (HTAs), remaining samples were screened for diversity by C2C3 heteroduplex mobility assays (HMAs). The majority of samples (79%), including all collected preseroconversion, harboured highly homogeneous HIV-1 populations. Four individuals (21%) exhibited high diversity in env, of whom three were dually infected with phylogenetically distinct subtype C strains. Preseroconversion samples, which best reflect the transmitted population, exhibited very little intraperson genetic diversity ranging from 0% to 1,8% (average 0,52%) in C2C3 and 0% to 1,2% (average 0,42%) in p17p24. Two of the five preseroconversion women had lower diversity in env compared to gag, suggesting selection associated with transmission and subsequent establishment of infection.

Ms. Cecilia Rademeyer
Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine; Division of Virology; Faculty of Health Sciences, UCT Medical School; Anzio Road; Observatory; Cape Town; 7925; South Africa
(Telephone) +27 21 406 6800 (Fax) +27 21 4484110 (E-mail) cnaude@curie.uct.ac.za