Editor’s Note: At the 25th International AIDS Conference (AIDS2024), an event that commands global attention, the Chongqing Public Health Medical Center once again shone on the international stage with its outstanding research achievements. This prestigious conference was successfully held in Munich, Germany, from July 22 to 26, 2024, attracting over 15,000 top scientists and medical professionals from more than 175 countries and regions worldwide. Together, they explored the latest breakthroughs and future trends in AIDS research.
With the core theme “People First,” the conference emphasized the importance of human diversity and called for global collaboration to ensure that every HIV-infected individual enjoys dignity, equality, and high-quality healthcare services. This aligns with the Chongqing Public Health Medical Center’s long-standing mission to improve the quality of life for people living with HIV.
Particularly noteworthy was the research conducted by Dr. Yaokai Chen and his team at the Chongqing Public Health Medical Center. Their study, titled “Prevalence of Cryptococcal Antigenemia (ICA) in HIV-Infected Individuals and the Effectiveness of Prophylactic Fluconazole Treatment,” was selected for an oral presentation at the conference. Dr. Yanqiu Lu, the research team leader at the center, presented China’s latest research findings and progress in this field to the global academic community, drawing widespread attention.
This multi-center retrospective cohort study, conducted across China, involved eight top-tier medical institutions, including the Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Beijing You An Hospital, Capital Medical University, and Public Health Clinical Center of Chengdu. The study tested tens of thousands of HIV-infected individuals, revealing the high prevalence of ICA among HIV patients in China and underscoring the urgency of early intervention.
Even more encouraging, the study confirmed the significant impact of prophylactic fluconazole treatment in reducing the risk of cryptococcal meningitis (CM) and death in HIV/ICA patients. Among the 81 patients who received prophylactic fluconazole treatment, the cumulative incidence of CM and/or death was significantly lower compared to the 42 patients who did not receive the treatment. Moreover, the median time to the occurrence of CM and/or death was notably shortened. Additionally, the proportion of patients who achieved cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) seronegativity within one year significantly increased, further proving the effectiveness and importance of prophylactic fluconazole treatment.
The publication of these research findings not only provides new perspectives and strategies for AIDS prevention and treatment in China and globally but also sets a direction for future related research. By participating in this conference, the Chongqing Public Health Medical Center not only demonstrated its deep expertise and innovative capabilities in AIDS prevention and treatment but also strengthened its communication and collaboration with international peers, contributing Chinese wisdom and strength to the global fight against AIDS.
Looking ahead, the Chongqing Public Health Medical Center will continue to delve into the field of AIDS research, consistently exploring new treatment methods and strategies. Their ongoing efforts aim to enhance the quality of life and survival rates of people living with HIV, contributing even more “Chinese strength” to the global AIDS prevention and treatment effort.
