Grant: Planning and Dissemination Grant - Institute Community Support

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is still a major health concern in Canada, with an estimated 75,500 patients across the country in 2014. Anti-retroviral therapy dramatically reduced AIDS-related morbidity and mortality in people living with HIV (PLHIV). However, with the increase in life expectancy, other conditions are responsible for early death in aging PLHIV. Liver diseases are now a major cause of death. Diabetes and obesity are extremely frequent in aging PLHIV on chronic antiretroviral therapy. These are risk factors for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most common liver disease in North America. NAFLD is a accumulation of fat in the liver that can lead to cirrhosis and need for liver transplant. The Steatohepatitis in HIV emerging Research (SHIVER) Network is an international research group of academic and clinical units aiming to improve knowledge on the diagnosis and physiopathology of NAFLD and its complications in HIV infection. The theme of the 1st International Workshop of the SHIVER Network will focus on discussing current knowledge about priority areas of research, including: 1. The frequency of NAFLD in PLHIV; 2. Characteristics on liver biopsy that render NAFLD unique in HIV; 3. Non-invasive biomarkers to diagnose NAFLD in PLHIV; 4. Possible ways to treat NAFLD in PLHIV. The 1st International Workshop of the SHIVER Network directly addresses the CIHR HIV/AIDS Research Initiative and contributes to the strategic plan 2015-2020 in the areas of biomedical/clinical and population health (prevention) research and specifically to the Initiative's aging and comorbid conditions research agenda. This workshop will promote knowledge exchange among international opinion leaders in the field and Canadian researchers. It will contribute to effective partnerships and outstanding research at national and global levels and put Canada at the forefront of the growing global concern around NAFLD in PLHIV.