In 2015, major breakthroughs were made in managing HCV and/or HIV infections.
Twenty-five years following the discovery of the hepatitis C virus, the groundbreaking discoveries of highly efficient antiviral regiments changed the face of HCV treatment. The new generation of highly effective direct acting antivirals to treat chronic hepatitis C brings high rates of sustained virological response. However, in most of the South-European countries, the exceedingly high prices of DAAs are hampering their integration into the HCV treatment programmes.
There has been much debate in the HIV world about when to start treatment and this trial settles the question. A major international randomized clinical trial (START study) has found that HIV-infected individuals have a considerably lower risk of developing AIDS or other serious illnesses if they start taking antiretroviral drugs soon after the HIV diagnosis is established. START is the first large-scale randomized clinical trial to offer concrete scientific evidence to support the USA HIV treatment guidelines, which recommend that all asymptomatic HIV-infected individuals take antiretrovirals, regardless of CD4+ cell count. Current World Health Organization HIV treatment guidelines recommend that HIV-infected individuals begin antiretroviral therapy when CD4+ cell counts fall to 500 cells/mm3 or less.
Evolving advances in viral hepatitis and HIV management represent a rapidly changing/constant challenge for infectious disease physicians. Join us at the 1st Croatian Congress on Travel, Tropical, Migration Medicine & HIV with international participation where our experts will present the most recent data and cover all relevant aspects of HIV and viral hepatitis infections, ranging from epidemiology, natural history, treatment, prophylaxis and practical interpretation of treatment guidelines in different resource settings.