International AIDS Society Newsletter, no. 16

lAS
NTENATIONAL

be avoided. Research studies will be needed
to assess the impact of previous NVP administration on the effectiveness of subsequent
antiretroviral treatment, should such options
become available.
Given the potential value of NVP in reversing
the dramatic trends of AIDS-related paediatric
mortality in developing countries and the anticipated low impact of temporary selection of
resistant virus in a minority of treated women,
the new information is not considered sufficient to interfere with plans to make NVP more
widely available in pilot MTCT-prevention programmes or in research settings. The most
recent report is based on only three cases of
NVP resistance. New information on the effectiveness of NVP for MTCT-prevention from
other research studies and further information
from the HIVNET012 study on NVP-resistance

6 weeks after delivery are anticipated to be available within the next 6 months. At that time
WHO will review the potential programmatic
implications of the new data. There is currently insufficient information to recommend
wide-scale implementation of NVP for MTCTprevention. Long-term follow-up of mothers
and children exposed to NVP or other antiretrovirals for the prevention of MTCT is required. Research should in addition explore
options to reduce transmission through breastmilk, and potent and affordable long-term
combination therapies.
REFERENCES
1. World Health Organization. Recommendations on the
safe and effective use of short-course ZDV for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV WHO WER
1998; 73: 313-20.

2. World Health Organization. WHO WER00, In Press.
3. Guay LA, Musoke P, Fleming T, et al. Intrapartum and
neonatal single-dose nevirapine compared with zidovudine
for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1 in
Kampala, Uganda: HIVNET 012 randomised trial.
Lancet 1999; 354: 795-802.
4. Havlir DV, Eastman S, Gamst A, Richman DD. Nevirapine-resistant human immunodeficiency virus: kinetics of
replication and estimated prevalence in untreated patients. J Virol 1996; 70: 7894-9.
5. Hirsch MS, Conway B, D'Aquila RT, et al. Atiretroviral
drug resistance testing in adults with HIV infection:
implications for clinical mnanagement. International
AIDS Society - USA Panel. JAMA 1998; 279: 1984-91.

Barcelona 2002
Jordi Casabona MD, PhD, Conference co-chair, Josep M.Gatell MD, PhD, Conference co-chair
Fundacio Barcelona SIDA 2002, Balmes, 200 AT 9 (Edifici Apollo X), 08006 Barcelona - Spain,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected],
Web page: http://www.aids2002.com

From 1981 when the first AIDS cases were identified, the international community has continuously mobilised resources, knowledge and
energy against this pandemic. The International AIDS Conference (IAC) is one of the
forums that has provided more insight and
opportunities to discuss and exchange experiences, new ideas and data. Since then, the AIDS
epidemic and its scientific, social and political
ramifications has evolved dramatically. One of
the challenges of future International AIDS
Conferences will be to reflect these changes as
much as possible.
In 1998 when the International AIDS Society
(IAS) announced Barcelona to host the XIV
International AIDS Conference 2002, we
accepted the challenge hoping to contribute to
this process as all organisers and participants
of the previous IACs had already done. The
2002 IAC will feature some specific characteristics. Pro primo, it will be the first Conference
entirely planned during the XXI century when
the HIV/AIDS pandemic has reached a level of
complexity and heterogeneity, which needs an
effort to integrate in a single event; pro secundo, Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, a
Mediterranean area with important and natu
ral links to all countries in the region. A region
where several countries so far still remain relatively unaffected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic;
and pro tertio Spain provides a unique opportunity to strengthen the collaboration with
other Spanish-speaking countries. We hope
that the active participation of countries from
the Mediterranean basin, Latin America as well
as countries sharing the same HIV epidemiological pattern of Southern Europe, where parenteral transmission plays a crucial role in the
epidemic, will make a specific contribution to
this Conference. Moreover, and apart from
endorsing the "Geneva Principle" we will ensure that both the scientific and the HIV community will be represented in the format and contents of the Conference. Therefore, we would
like to take this opportunity to define a "Barcelona Frame" in order to facilitate the continuous development of the contents and format of
the IACs to the new international scenarios and
characteristics of the HIV pandemic. For this
purpose, both the IAS and the local organisers,
in collaboration with other institutional and
non-governmental co-organisers, would like to
discuss and identify the main features needed
to make the event balanced and cost-effective

both from a scientific and social perspective.
As we entered into a new century, the HIV disease has the potential to be looked upon as a
chronic and relatively well tolerated disease.
Unfortunately, this is only applicable to less
than 10% of the persons living with HIV. Good
science and its benefits should not have frontiers and we hope that the Barcelona Conference
will be the right place to address and answer
research, clinical and public health questions.
This will in turn improve the global access to
education, prevention and care.
Barcelona has a long and recognised tradition
world-wide of hospitality, a charming atmosphere of traditional and contemporary style,
and the capability of organising and hosting big
international events like the Olympic Games in
1992, or other types of international scientific
meetings. Therefore, we also hope that it will be
an ideal venue for the XIV International AIDS
Conference. We will very much appreciate your
active participation in the Conference. Please,
plan in advance to attend the Conference and
give us the privilege to host you in Barcelona
soon.

U3