Summary of the 5th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections.

Research highlights from the Fifth Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections are presented in the following five areas: 1) major messages concerning AIDS treatment and outcomes; 2) research findings on new antiretroviral agents; 3) prevention and treatment of opportunistic infections; 4) research on HIV transmission routes and rapid test strategies for HIV; and 5) the cost of AIDS health care and resource allocation. Important information delivered at the conference includes research on CD4 cell response during acute retroviral syndrome and long-term prognosis, viral burden nadir predicting long-term antiviral success, opportunistic infections and viral burden under 5,000, impaired phosphorylation after prolonged AZT therapy, and successful salvage in patients failing indinavir. The most important observations of antiretroviral agents are discussed for the following drugs: amprenavir, efavirenz, abacavir, and adefovir. Additional research is summarized on the reduction in the frequency of opportunistic infections in the age of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), including the frequency of resistance during treatment of CMV retinitis and the treatment of tuberculosis and viral burden. Tables include results from selected clinical trials of antiretroviral therapy and results from research on salvage regimens. Finally, evidence is highlighted revealing that the cost of hospitalization has been substantially reduced but is offset by pharmaceutical costs.