AC44 ‘HIV Clinical Research’ workshop: brainstorming on opportunistic infections

Three days of discussions on opportunistic infections

This workshop will focus on opportunistic infections in people living with HIV, with particular attention paid to the challenges faced by low- and middle-income countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. It will bring together around 50 participants—clinicians, researchers, microbiologists, epidemiologists, public health professionals, international experts and early-career researchers—involved in the management, diagnosis, treatment and research of HIV-associated opportunistic infections.

Over the course of these three days, there will be a series of introductory lectures on the various topics covered, followed by workshops organised by disease, care pathways or specific populations. These will enable participants to identify research needs, share knowledge and practical experience, and develop collaborative projects, whilst seeking synergies amongst all partners involved to ensure the successful implementation of these projects.

BRIO’s aim is to create a high-level scientific working environment, bringing together internationally recognised researchers and clinicians, in order to identify shared research priorities and develop large-scale collaborative projects.

Call for applications

Interested individuals are invited to submit:

• a short CV;
• a covering letter outlining their interest in opportunistic infections, clinical HIV research and/or North-South collaborations;
• where applicable, a letter of recommendation.

Applications from early-career researchers, clinicians, biologists, epidemiologists and public health professionals wishing to develop or join collaborative research projects in this field are encouraged.

Applications must be sent by 15 August 2026 to:

• Barbara Woomer: b.woomer@bouisson-bertrand.fr
• Celine Llucia: c.llucia@bouisson–bertrand.fr

Travel and accommodation costs will be covered by ANRS MIE through AC44 for successful candidates.

AC44 Chairs

• Alain Makinson, Co–Chair
• Serge Eholié, Co–Chair
• Maxime Hentzien, Co–Chair

Scientific Advisory Board: Alain Makinson, Serge Eholié, Maxime Hentzien, Alexandre Alanio, Maryline Bonnet, Charlotte Charpentier, Pierre Frange, Charles Kouanfack, Roland Landman, Fanny Lanternier, Didier Laureillard, Diana Molino, Philippe Morand, Manon Ollivier, Mounerou Salou, Aude Sturny-Leclere, Coumba Toure.

Day 1 – Thursday 1 October 2026

14:00 – 14:15

Introduction: concept and organisation of the workshop, academic objectives

Alain Makinson, France; Serge Eholié, Côte d’Ivoire; Maxime Hentzien, France

General introductory lectures

14:15 – 14:40

Causes of mortality among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the late stages of the disease

Charles Kouanfack, Cameroon

2.40 pm – 3.05 pm

WHO recommendations for the management of PLHIV in the advanced stages of the disease

3.05 pm – 3.30 pm

Tuberculosis: overview of current and future projects, and needs within the Tuberculosis Action Committee

Maryline Bonnet, France; Boubacar Djelo Diallo, Guinea

3.30 pm – 4.15 pm

Questions and discussion

4.15 pm – 4.45 pm

Coffee break

State of the art: Diagnostic and therapeutic tools for opportunistic infections

4.45 pm – 5.15 pm

What tools are available or potentially available for the diagnosis of opportunistic infections (OIs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)

5.15 pm – 5.45 pm

OI treatments in the pipeline

5.45 pm – 6.15 pm

Questions & discussion

6.00 pm – 6.15 pm

Introduction to the following day’s workshops

Alain Makinson, France; Serge Eholié, Côte d’Ivoire; Maxime Hentzien, France

Day 2 – Friday 2 October 2026

08:30 – 10:30

Parallel workshops #1: Research needs by pathogen family

• Invasive fungal infections – Fanny Lanternier, France; Alexandre Alanio, France – Moderator: Adama Doumbia
• Parasitic diseases: Leishmaniasis, toxoplasmosis – Babacar Faye, Senegal; Pierre Buffet, France
• Opportunistic viral infections – Mounerou Salou, Togo; Guillaume Martin-Blondel, France
• Bacterial infections and atypical mycobacterial infections – Philippe Morand, France; Coumba Toure, Senegal

10.30 am – 11.00 am

Coffee break

11.00 am – 12.30 pm

Continuation of workshop sessions

12.30 pm – 2.00 pm

Lunch break

2.00 pm – 3.30 pm

Summary of discussions from Workshops 1 and 2 (45 minutes per workshop)

3.30 pm – 4.00 pm

Coffee break

4.00 pm – 5.30 pm

Summary of discussions from workshops 3 and 4 (45 minutes per workshop)

5.30 pm – 6.00 pm

Break

Day 3 – Saturday 3 October 2026

8.00 am – 8.30 am

Overview of current knowledge and lessons learnt regarding patient care pathways in LMICs

08:30 – 10:00

Parallel workshops #2: Research approaches focusing on specific care pathways or populations

• Decentralised care – Ismael Diallo (Burkina Faso); Roland Landman, France
• Care in tertiary-level centres – Saliou Sow, Guinea; Louise Fortes, Senegal
• Children and young adults infected via the mother-to-foetus route

10.00 – 10.30

Break

10.30 – 11.30

Continuation of workshop discussions

11.30 – 13.00

Presentation of workshop findings (30 minutes per workshop)

13:00 – 13:15

Conclusion: next steps

Alain Makinson, France; Serge Eholié, Côte d’Ivoire; Maxime Hentzien, France

13:15

Lunch break