{"title":"CROI 2026: Innovations in HIV Care and Service Delivery to Improve Treatment Outcomes.","authors":"Barbara S Taylor","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>At the 2026 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI), investigators presented new findings and innovative interventions that may impact HIV service delivery and care cascade metrics. CROI 2026 focused on challenges faced by specific populations and novel interventions that address those challenges. These include the use of machine learning to predict virologic failure or missed clinic visits; individual-level interventions, such as in-person or virtual training and adherence support; clinic-based person-centered care and optimized clinic practices interventions; and a systemwide opt-out HIV screening and linkage program across federally qualified health centers that led to 100% linkage to care for those newly diagnosed with HIV. Point-ofcare testing for HIV-1 RNA viral load and tenofovir adherence were well received by participants but not associated with improved outcomes. Researchers discussed the impact of disruptions in funding for HIV care and research, particularly among countries receiving support from the US Agency for International Development and the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. Although data continue to emerge on the profound impact of funding cuts, the collaboration of researchers, care delivery experts, and community members led to the restoration of some programs and continued support for National Institutes of Health-funded research.</p>","PeriodicalId":38738,"journal":{"name":"Topics in antiviral medicine","volume":"34 2","pages":"465-469"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13345730/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147934356","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"CROI 2026: Neuro-HIV at the Crossroads of Coinfections, Reservoirs, Antiretroviral Therapy, and Comorbidities.","authors":"Michael J Corley, Sarah B Joseph, Phillip Chan","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The 2026 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) featured important new and impactful findings relevant to the neurologic HIV (neuro-HIV) field. Reports included new evidence linking herpesvirus coinfections to cognitive heterogeneity; studies on neuroinflammation, neuronal injury, and amyloid-related processes in treated HIV; and studies using advanced technologies to address the HIV-infected cells that persist in the central nervous system during antiretroviral therapy and the mechanisms that may maintain those populations. New therapeutic findings were presented on low-dose hydrocortisone and pregnenolone as potential strategies to improve cognition and reduce inflammatory signaling. Additional studies linked brain health in people with HIV to antiretroviral-associated neuropsychiatric effects and to aging-related comorbidities, including cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. This review summarizes these findings and highlights new mechanistic and therapeutic directions for the neuro-HIV field.</p>","PeriodicalId":38738,"journal":{"name":"Topics in antiviral medicine","volume":"34 2","pages":"449-455"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13345722/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147933756","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shauna H Gunaratne, Timothy J Wilkin, Hong-Van Tieu
{"title":"CROI 2026: Antiretroviral THerapy in Adult, Maternal, and Pediatric Populations With HIV.","authors":"Shauna H Gunaratne, Timothy J Wilkin, Hong-Van Tieu","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The 2026 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections provided data on several investigational antiretroviral compounds with the potential for twice-yearly dosing. A complete yearly regimen seems likely to be available in the coming years. Data on doravirine/islatravir showed that this regimen is an effective 2-drug regimen in those initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) and in those switching from a suppressive regimen. Several abstracts on ART resistance were presented, focusing on the emergence of resistance to integrase strand transfer inhibitors and to lenacapavir. Recent data highlighted new strategies for the empiric treatment of severe pneumonia in infants with HIV, the potential for long-term ART-free remission using broadly neutralizing antibodies and very early initiation of ART, the evaluation of simplified and long-acting ART regimens, and optimizing transition services for adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV to adult care.</p>","PeriodicalId":38738,"journal":{"name":"Topics in antiviral medicine","volume":"34 2","pages":"456-464"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13345720/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147934337","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"CROI 2026: Acute and Postacute COVID-19.","authors":"Annukka A R Antar","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The 2026 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) furthered our understanding of acute COVID-19, long COVID, postacute sequelae of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), viral immunity, and SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics. Results of a first-in-human validation study of DNA-encoded monoclonal antibody (DMAb) technology demonstrated safety and robust and durable monoclonal antibody (mAb) production, giving the green light to further develop the DMAb platform. Pemivibart administration to people with advanced HIV was well tolerated and associated with good levels of neutralizing antibodies. A new pan-coronavirus 3C-like protease inhibitor was shown to have similar pharmacokinetics and a similar safety profile in people with renal impairment and people with hepatic impairment. A study of SARS-CoV-2 infections in 2023 demonstrated continued risk for new incident diagnoses and worsening of prior comorbidities in the year after infection. SARS-CoV-2 infection in people with HIV is associated with discernible decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate in the 2 years after infection. A blinded study of circulating SARS-CoV-2 antigen found no association between the presence of antigen and the likelihood of having long COVID. Most people with long COVID in a cohort study have experienced stigma or feeling dismissed in interactions with their clinicians.</p>","PeriodicalId":38738,"journal":{"name":"Topics in antiviral medicine","volume":"34 2","pages":"494-500"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13345724/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147934340","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"CROI 2026: Advances in Epidemiology and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis.","authors":"Shauna H Gunaratne","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The 2026 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) highlighted hepatitis B outcomes in people with HIV on non-hepatitis B-active regimens. Advances in hepatitis B treatment were covered, with some abstracts highlighting novel investigational agents such as antivirals or immune modulators. Data were presented from a phase III trial examining the safety and efficacy of bulevirtide, an investigational agent for hepatitis D treatment. Pharmacokinetic data in animal models from a long-acting injectable intraparticle coformulation of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir were presented for the treatment of hepatitis C. Several abstracts highlighted interventions to increase hepatitis C virus infection detection rates, such as rapid or point-of-care testing, and others focused on improving linkage to care to increase hepatitis C treatment and sustained virologic response rates. Finally, a single abstract showed 2 investigational agents with antiviral activity for hepatitis E virus infection.</p>","PeriodicalId":38738,"journal":{"name":"Topics in antiviral medicine","volume":"34 2","pages":"481-485"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13345729/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147934289","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Top 10 Questions and Answers From the National Clinician Consultation Center: What is Coming Up for Clinicians Across the United States.","authors":"Parya Saberi, Carolyn Chu","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The National Clinician Consultation Center (NCCC) has operated for the past 30 years as a federally supported educational resource for US clinicians, addressing a wide range of questions regarding HIV and viral hepatitis care. Changes in practice spurred on by scientific breakthroughs and new research have led to new questions and challenges for HIV practitioners. These include optimal clinical and laboratory monitoring for people receiving postexposure prophylaxis, preexposure prophylaxis, or long-acting injectable antiretroviral therapy; evolving approaches to maternal and infant antiretroviral therapy for prevention of perinatal HIV transmission; and management of comorbidities such as hepatitis C and substance use disorders. Prevalent questions received by NCCC consultants over the last 5 years are described, high-lighting key areas of HIV medicine that clinicians and clinical educators commonly face in practice, as well as opportunities for future research to address areas of ongoing clinical uncertainty.</p>","PeriodicalId":38738,"journal":{"name":"Topics in antiviral medicine","volume":"33 6","pages":"734-749"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12755410/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145865796","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Prevention and Management of Viral Hepatitis in Primary Care.","authors":"Emily A Min, Philip Bolduc","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The primary care clinician can play a substantial role in the management and prevention of viral hepatitis infections, which cause a substantial burden of hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis worldwide and in the US. One-time hepatitis B and C virus testing is now recommended as part of universal adult screening measures, and more frequently based on risk factors. Immunization strategies for hepatitis A and B have also been updated, with a new adjuvanted, conjugated hepatitis B vaccine (HepB-CpG) that provides greater efficacy than older vaccines. Management of hepatitis B and C has been streamlined based on current tolerable, effective oral regimens that can reduce the individual's risks of liver fibrosis and cancer and interrupt the cycles of community transmission. The epidemiology and natural history of these viral infections are summarized and concise updates of screening, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies are provided.</p>","PeriodicalId":38738,"journal":{"name":"Topics in antiviral medicine","volume":"33 6","pages":"711-726"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12755412/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145865878","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Updates on Testing, Treatment, and Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections in the United States, 2025.","authors":"Caroline Katzman, Natalie Neu","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>There has been a substantial increase in the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and a widening gap in health care disparities over the past decade. New technologies, emerging public health research, and growing antimicrobial resistance have changed how practitioners counsel patients and diagnose and manage common STIs. Updating practitioners' understanding of best care practices for patients with STIs is crucial in averting preventable morbidity and mortality. This review covers important changes in the screening, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of common STIs over the past 5 years.</p>","PeriodicalId":38738,"journal":{"name":"Topics in antiviral medicine","volume":"33 6","pages":"727-733"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12755409/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145865833","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Brian P Epling, Elizabeth Laidlaw, Christopher Dampier, Sunil Bellur, M Teresa Magone De Quadros Costa, Arlene Sirajuddin, Virginia Sheikh, Maura Manion, Irini Sereti
{"title":"Visual Guide to Opportunistic Infections in People With HIV.","authors":"Brian P Epling, Elizabeth Laidlaw, Christopher Dampier, Sunil Bellur, M Teresa Magone De Quadros Costa, Arlene Sirajuddin, Virginia Sheikh, Maura Manion, Irini Sereti","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Modern antiretroviral therapy has led to a dramatic reduction in HIV-associated opportunistic infections and mortality, but late diagnosis of HIV and poor linkage to care persist and lead to a worse prognosis. HIV care is now focused on early therapy initiation and virologic control, and new practitioners may have less experience and fewer educational resources for diagnosis and management of opportunistic infections. In this special issue, we outline the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of opportunistic infections in the modern antiretroviral therapy era alongside clinical photography, radiographic findings, and microbiologic, endoscopic, pathologic, and retinal images.</p>","PeriodicalId":38738,"journal":{"name":"Topics in antiviral medicine","volume":"33 4s","pages":"605-650"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145514443","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"CROI 2025: Metabolic and Other Complications of HIV Infection.","authors":"Sudipa Sarkar, Todd T Brown","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Aging-related comorbid conditions have major effects on health, quality of life, and survival in people with HIV (PWH). The 2025 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) featured numerous studies about comorbid diseases in PWH. Cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and heart failure were important topics at the CROI, with ancillary analyses from REPRIEVE (the Randomized Trial to Prevent Vascular Events in HIV) and studies from lower- and middle-income countries. Numerous studies examined epigenetic markers of biologic aging in PWH and the effects of treatments, including glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists. In a clinical trial, cytomegalovirus suppression was shown to decrease immune activation and systemic inflammation, as well as improve physical function. Large epidemiologic studies examining the effect of switching to integrase strand transfer inhibitors showed an increased risk of diabetes and hypertension, which was independent of weight gain. This review focuses on the abstracts presented at CROI 2025 in these areas, highlighting those with the most clinical impact.</p>","PeriodicalId":38738,"journal":{"name":"Topics in antiviral medicine","volume":"33 3","pages":"596-602"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12324710/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144849293","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}