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| Since the original description of the
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in 1981 and
the establishment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
as its etiological agent in 1983, this infection has
now been recognized world wide. Almost every country
has suffered from this pandemic in many ways. The disease
not only dwarfed all other medical conditions, but also
has been the greatest social enigma and has shown its
impact on the global economy. By the end of 2005, 38.6
million people were infected with HIV. Even though the
figure is seemingly lower than 2004, the hard fact still
remains that 9 out of every 10 people living with HIV/AIDS
(PWA) are in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. In Asia, the
two most populated countries: China and India are the
biggest reservoirs of the disease. In India alone, a
cumulative total of persons living with HIV infection
has reached 5.3 million by the end of year 2005. This
means India has the second highest number of HIV positive
cases after South Africa. |
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The discovery of highly active antiretroviral
therapy (HAART) has been a boon to the HIV infected
persons, but this has posed a major challenge to health
workers. Due to HAART many more HIV infected persons
are living longer, while most of the infected can not
afford it for life long. Whether or not on HAART, the
life time risk of contracting opportunistic infections
(OI) is extremely high. Several issues are involved
in the understanding of the interaction between HIV
and opportunistic pathogens, their diagnosis, treatment
and prophylaxis, drug interaction and drug resistance.
The pattern of OIs and the treatment protocols also
differ from country to country. To understand all these
issues, the first International Conference on Opportunistic
Pathogens in AIDS was held from March 27-29, 2006 in
which more than 200 delegates from various parts of
the world participated. Encouraged with the success
of the first ICOPA, the second international conference
is planned to understand various advances in HIV and
associated opportunistic infectious diseases.
I, on behalf of myself, the organizing committee and
the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi,
cordially invite you all to this historic capital city
of India to participate in this very important scientific
meeting. The dates are fixed in such a way that the
delegates can witness India's Republic Day celebration
parade on 26th January at India Gate, and also the spectacular
beating retreat of Indian Armies on the evening of 29th
January. |
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Sarman Singh, MD
Chairman, Organising Committee
Department of Laboratory Medicine
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-110029
Phone: (91-11) 26588484, 26594977, Fax (91-11) 26588663,
26588641
E-mail: sarman.singh@gmail.com,
Website: http://www.icopa-india.org
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