PARTNER Newsletter

September 2011
Issue 10



Enrolment Status
We are happy to announce that 61 European centres are open and 7 more are in the process of ethical approvals. Current enrolment is at 370 pairs (1/3 of these are homosexual pairs). We would like to ensure a good representation of homosexual pairs and are currently developing new study information material for recruitment.

HIV and Gay Community
We encourage centres to intensify recruitment and focus on the HIV and gay community when targeting material. We are happy to announce that an outreach group has been established to share knowledge and implement national efforts in outreach.

Is sex without condom unprotected sex? 
We are used to referring to sex without a condom as “unprotected” sex but since ART also provides a means of protection against transmission we need to adopt more precise wording. In a discussion at the recent investigator meeting, it was suggested that we refer to “sex without a condom” instead of “unprotected sex.”

WHO and the PARTNER study
The PARTNER study has been invited to present at a meeting convened by WHO. The objectives of the meeting are to better understand what evidence is available on the issue of transmission risk in serodifferent MSM couples. It is widely appreciated that more evidence is needed to describe the effects of ART on reducing transmission risk through anal sex in MSM.
Minutes and presentations from IAS Rome
Please find the minutes and presentations from the PARTNER  investigator meeting below:
Presentation 
Minutes

Investigator Meeting EACS Belgrade
The next PARTNER investigator meeting will be held in conjunction with EACS in Belgrade 13th October from 4-5 PM at Hyatt Regency Room: Beograd.

Details and an agenda will be sent in advance of the meeting.
The PARTNER study has been funded by the NIHR (National Institute for Health Research in the UK) and is sponsored by UCL (University College London). Additionally funding for participation of the Swiss centres has been provided by the Swiss Office of Public Health. The study is coordinated cooperatively between Copenhagen HIV Programme (CHIP), UCL and Royal Free NHS.