update from montreal

Daily report from the CROI HIV conference in Montreal.

Wednesday February 11, 2009 (11 Fevrier, 2009)

Bon Jour. I'm almost at the point of information/ data overload, but I'm still going strong in this last stretch of the conference.

A few tidbits I thought of interest to the community .....

- A lot of focus on transmitted mutated virus between guys who don't know their status.

- A lot of material on "elite controllers" (people who are positive but don't progress, independent of the delta 32 mutation). There is a lot of research going on trying to figure out what is going on.

- Several presentations on mutations associated with raltegravir (Isentress). Some studies indicate that even when people develop primary mutations associated with the drug, they still continue to do well.

- Whenever I'm at these conferences, I'm always on the lookout for anything to do with "alternative therapies" or "complimentary therapies" as there is usually very little...... ......... .....

However, I did see a poster indicating that CoQ10 is better at preventing and/or treating neuropathy caused by d4t and ddi (both treat neuropathy from ddi). CoQ10 may also treat neuropathy from other causes. Note: this was done in vitro (in the lab), not in people.

I also saw a poster indicating that people with HIV are especially prone to deficient levels of Vitamin D, resulting in a number of health issues including inflammation, fatigue, etc. It is recommended to supplement with at least 800iu of Vitamin D per day. Most multi-vitamins already contain about 400iu, so you should buy a bottle of Vitamin D 400iu and take at least one a day (bringing you up to 800iu if you also take a multi-vitamin) . Some people may require more, but that involves an expensive blood test that may or may not be available to you.

- Another study indicated that cognitive impairment in older people continues to be an issue even when fully suppressed with HAART and good T-cell levels. There was more about cognitive impairment, but I can't remember it .... ;^)

More later ....... Michael

today's sound choice (2nd choice) is my friend the chocolate cake with "home improvements"