Infectious Disease Frontier

The 20th Shanghai International Forum for Infection Control (SIFIC), in conjunction with the 8th Oriental Forum on Challenging Infectious Diseases (OFCID) and the Academic Corference of Global Chinese Association of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases , were held at the Shanghai International Convention Center from July 25-27, 2024. At this academic event, Dr. Xiaodong Gao from Zhongshan Hospital  delivered an in-depth lecture on key topics such as hospital infection assessment, infection control management, hand hygiene practices, and the WHO Global Action Plan on Infection Prevention and Control. In an interview with Infectious Diseases Frontier, Dr.  Gao not only reviewed the founding vision of SIFIC but also provided an in-depth analysis of strategies for infection prevention and control (IPC), the details of hand hygiene management, and how multidisciplinary collaboration can strengthen infection control efforts.

Due to similar transmission routes, approximately 20% of people living with HIV (PLWH) are co-infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). For decades, rhesus macaques (RMs) have served as a model for HIV research, but they have never been used to study HIV/HBV co-infection. At the AIDS 2024 conference, a research team from Oregon Health & Science University presented an oral report on their successful construction of an RM model co-infected with SHIVDH12 Clone 7 and HBV genotype D. A key advantage of this animal model is the ability to obtain longitudinal biopsies and dynamically monitor changes in immune cell phenotypes and ALT levels, providing better insights into the pathogenesis of co-infection. This article invites Dr. Linghua Li’s team from Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University to delve into this study and interpret the deeper significance behind these research findings.

At the AIDS 2024 conference, Dr. Melanie Ott from the University of California, San Francisco, delivered a special report titled "The Sound of Silence: Tackling HIV Transcription to Achieve Remission," which garnered widespread attention. Following the conference, Infectious Diseases Frontier conducted an in-depth interview with Dr.  Ott, where she elaborated on the significance of HIV transcription mechanisms in regulating viral reservoirs, which play a crucial role in the rebound of the virus after treatment interruption. Professor Ott highlighted that a novel strategy involving the use of transcription inhibitors in combination with existing antiretroviral therapy (ART) could potentially suppress transcriptional activity in reservoir cells, thereby delaying viral rebound and reducing immune activation, bringing new hope and breakthroughs to the field of HIV treatment.

The 20th Shanghai International Forum for Infection Control (SIFIC), in conjunction with the 8th Oriental Forum on Challenging Infectious Diseases (OFCID) and the Academic Corference of Global Chinese Association of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (SIFIC 2024 "National Infection Control and Challenging Infectious Diseases" Combined Conference), was grandly inaugurated in Shanghai. "Xiaoshi," a reporter from Infection Medical Line, interviewed some of the participants at the SIFIC event, sharing the growth journey and bright future of SIFIC.

On July 26, 2024, the highly anticipated 20th Shanghai International Forum for Infection Control (SIFIC), in conjunction with the 8th Oriental Forum on Complex Infectious Diseases (OFCID) and the Annual Meeting of the Global Chinese Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, was grandly inaugurated at the Shanghai International Conference Center. Themed "Precision Diagnosis, Precision Control," this year's conference aims to enhance the scientific and precise approach to infection prevention and control in China. Marking SIFIC's 20th anniversary, the conference not only reflected on past achievements but also looked forward to the boundless possibilities in the field of infection control, inspiring every participant to move forward together in writing a new chapter for infection prevention and control.

"The continuous advancements and remarkable success of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) have made long-term survival for HIV patients a reality. However, the persistent presence of the HIV virus, chronic inflammation associated with the virus, and the lifelong impact of medication have led to chronic complications, such as metabolic diseases, becoming significant factors affecting the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing long-term treatment. These issues have become crucial in the treatment and management of patients. One of the key focuses of the 25th International AIDS Conference (AIDS2024) was the ongoing attention to non-AIDS-related complications, which brought new insights into their treatment and management."

From July 22-26, 2024, the 25th International AIDS Conference（AIDS 2024） was held in Munich, Germany, bringing together 15,000 professionals and advocates from around the world to discuss the latest advancements and future challenges in HIV prevention and treatment. At the conference, Dr. Biao Zhu from the First Affiliated Hospital,Zhejiang University School of Medicine presented a retrospective study conducted by his team. The report analyzed the changing disease spectrum of hospitalized HIV-infected patients in comprehensive hospitals in Eastern China over the past 12 years, revealing not only the survival status of HIV-infected patients in the Yangtze River Delta region but also significant changes in their disease spectrum as they achieve long-term survival.

Since its inception in 2005, the Shanghai International Forum for Infection Control (SIFIC) has grown over the past two decades. Known for its professionalism and forward-thinking approach, SIFIC has become a significant academic platform in China for the fields of hospital infection, major infectious diseases, and the prevention and control of multidrug-resistant organisms. Each year's academic conference not only boasts a large scale but also serves as a grand academic gathering for infection control experts and scholars from both domestic and international arenas. In the recently concluded SIFIC 2024 conference, one of the founders and current Chairman of SIFIC, Dr. Bijie Hu from Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, shared with Infectious Disease Frontier the development and achievements of SIFIC, as well as his profound insights into the future of infection control in China. Through his perspective, we gain a glimpse into the evolution of the field, the challenges it currently faces, and the direction it is likely to take in the future.

The 25th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2024) was held in Munich, Germany, from July 22 to 26, 2024. This highly anticipated academic event showcased some of the most cutting-edge research in the field. Currently, clinical cures for people co-infected with HIV and HBV are still in the exploratory stage. At the conference, a research study conducted by Dr. Jie Peng’s team from the Nanfang Hospital was selected for poster presentation. The study revealed that after receiving antiretroviral therapy, HIV/HBV co-infected patients had a higher rate of HBsAg clearance. Baseline HBsAg levels and CD4 cell counts were identified as predictive factors for HBsAg clearance in these patients. We have invited Dr. Jie Peng to provide an insightful interpretation of these research findings for our readers.

At the AIDS 2024 Conference, Dr. Albert Liu from the University of California, San Francisco, delivered a keynote presentation on the latest developments in long-acting HIV prevention technologies. Following his talk, he participated in an exclusive interview with Infectious Diseases Frontier. Dr. Liu highlighted that the field of HIV prevention is currently undergoing exciting transformations. Long-acting drugs, such as bimonthly injections and monthly vaginal rings, have already been approved, significantly improving prevention outcomes and reducing patient burden. Additionally, other technologies in development, such as long-acting tablets, HIV implants, and broadly neutralizing antibodies, show immense potential. However, cost and accessibility remain key challenges to widespread adoption. Future research must focus on the safety, efficacy, and community implementation strategies of these technologies while also simplifying delivery processes to ensure these innovations benefit a broader population and advance HIV prevention efforts.