LIFE News item

African conference on fungal infections in AIDS

Cape Town, South Africa. An EMBO sponsored workshop integrating clinical, public health and fundamental science aspects of fungal infections in AIDS was held July 3rd to 5th, 2013. Attendees from all over Africa, Asia, and the Americas discussed the changing status of fungal infections in AIDS, with a particular focus on cryptococcal meningitis. The HIV burden in South Africa was a dominant theme, with over 2 million patients on antiretroviral therapy, but an estimated additional 4 million HIV infected people still needing treatment. A remarkable 30% of pregnant women test positive for HIV, placing enormous numbers of people at risk of deadly fungal complications.

Other fungal infections were also highlighted, notably oral thrush, penicilliosis in SE Asia, paracoccidioidomycosis in Brazil, histoplasmosis in central America and aspergillosis complicating TB and HIV in Uganda.

The meeting was chaired by Professor Gordon Brown from Aberdeen and Cape Town universities. He said of the meeting: “The challenge of fungal infections in AIDS remains a ‘Clear and present danger’ to so many HIV-infected people. This high level workshop was designed to share international experiences and push forward the research agenda across many fronts.”

The meeting held at the Cape Town University adjacent to Groote Schuur Hospital (where the first heart transplant was done in 1967). Co-organisers included Graeme Meintjes (Cape Town), Jay Kolls (Pittsburgh), Clive Gray (Cape Town) and William Horsnell (Cape Town). Nearly 100 participants from 20 countries attended.

The meeting organisers are preparing a general position statement regarding the ongoing needs in this area.

Links:www.aids-and-mycoses-2013.co.za