AIDS Daily Summary October 22, 1993 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National AIDS Clearinghouse makes available the following information as a public service only. Providing this information does not constitute endorsement by the CDC, the CDC Clearinghouse, or any other organization. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC Clearinghouse should be cited as the source of this information. Copyright 1993, Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD "'Abstinence' Added to Sex Message" Washington Times (10/22/93) P. A1 (Murray, Frank J.) Washington--White House AIDS policy coordinator Kristine Gebbie said her views on teen sexuality were taken out of context, and said that abstinence is the most effective method of avoiding HIV infection. Gebbie's clarification came after press reports suggested that she was glorifying the joys of sex after a speech she presented Wednesday on teenage pregnancy. "Abstinence is the surest prevention of HIV transmission, and must be communicated as a part of the complete prevention message," Gebbie said. "The next generation of young people should be prepared to enter an adult sexual life with a better base of attitudes and information than we have provided so far." The Washington Times, however, notes an Oct. 3 speech in which Gebbie said she would urge educators to stop preaching abstinence as the only way to prevent AIDS. She also condemned such teaching as "criminal" and said it "spreads fear and leads to adults who see nothing positive about their sexuality." The AIDS czar told conference participants Wednesday that the "don'ts and disease" strategy was not curbing sexual activity among teens, and that Americans must learn to view sex as "an essentially important and pleasurable thing." The statement was issued not by Gebbie herself, but on her behalf by the White House. "Needle Exchange Set for Boston, Cambridge" Boston Globe (10/21/93) P. 38 (Howe, Peter J.) Following years of opposition from many public officials and neighborhood leaders, the cities of Boston and Cambridge, Mass., will implement a $100,000, year-long pilot needle exchange program to curb the spread of the AIDS virus, announced officials. Vans and walking patrols of officials will trade one free, clean syringe for each used needle turned in. Some public officials objected to the program, fearing that it would condone or encourage drug use. In addition, neighborhood leaders expressed concern that needle exchanges could attract drug users and increase crime in the areas where health officials regularly provide clean needles. Despite these apprehensions, Suffolk District Attorney Ralph C. Martin said, "A needle-exchange program, appropriately regulated and coupled with treatment for the drug-addicted, will save lives." State public health commissioner David I. Mulligan announced that his department will monitor the program carefully and urge drug users to seek treatment. Legislators voted earlier in the year to approve pilot needle exchange programs in any cities willing to host them, and 37 similar programs are being operated across the nation. "Health Ministry Officials Suspected of Taking Bribes in HIV Scandal" United Press International (10/21/93) Vienna--In an effort to accelerate approval of products for hemophiliacs, health ministry officials in Austria may have accepted bribes from a drug company which manufacturers the products, according to press reports. The allegations target civil servants who supposedly traveled to conferences worldwide at the expense of Swiss-Austrian company Immuno. The pharmaceutical firm is being sued by a group of about 30 hemophiliacs who claim the company's products infected them with HIV. Health Minister Michael Ausserwinkler said that his department would uncover the reason why the defective products were not recalled in 1985, when the link between HIV and AIDS was discovered. He warned that those who are found to have acted illegally will face charges. Klaus Anderle, an Immuno spokesperson, contended that as many as 10 hemophiliacs would have died if Factor 8, a blood-thickening product available worldwide, had been pulled from the market, as there was no alternative product. Of Austria's estimated 600 hemophiliacs, about 150 are infected with HIV. About 70 individuals have died from AIDS in the country. "Kenyan Charged With Infecting Women With AIDS" Reuters (10/20/93) Auckland, New Zealand--A Kenyan musician infected with the AIDS virus was charged in an Auckland court with deliberately infecting women with the deadly disease, said court officials. Police said that at least one woman alleged to have had contact with Paul Mwai, 28, has tested HIV-positive. Mwai, a drummer with an African band, denied four charges of intentionally infecting the women. He was ordered to appear in court again on Jan. 28 for a committal hearing. If convicted, he faces as many as 14 years of incarceration. Police said that Paul Mwai is not the man's real name and that they have sent fingerprints and a photo of him to Kenyan police in an attempt to obtain true identification. "Genetic Link Seen in HIV Immunity" Toronto Globe and Mail (Canada) (10/20/93) P. A15 A Canadian-Kenyan research team has been studying a small group of prostitutes in Nairobi who appear to be naturally immune to the AIDS virus. After eight years, the scientists may have discovered a genetic link to explain why. They estimate that one in five clients soliciting the prostitutes is infected with HIV, and the general level of adult infection is about 60 percent. Among the prostitutes, the rate is between 85 and 95 percent. Twenty-five of these commercial sex workers, however, have avoided infection for at least five years, and not because of more frequent condom use, claims head researcher Dr. Frank Plummer. "It's not something about sexual behavior, and it's not because HIV infection cannot be established in their cells--we've been able to do that in a lab," explains Plummer. "So we're left to speculate that it's because they're immune to HIV." He adds that there are important implications if so. Researchers think the key lies in genetic markers on cell surfaces called HLAs, which are common to all 25 women. HLAs help the immune system recognize the difference between a body's own cells and those of invaders. Plummer says that when the scientists isolate which types of HLAs protect against HIV, hopefully they can duplicate that immunity in a lab, and advance toward an AIDS vaccine. The Nairobi prostitutes are not the only group to support the theory of natural immunity. Professor Keith McAdam of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine says another good example is hemophiliac men who have not infected their wives. "Germany-AIDS" Associated Press (10/20/93) (Thorson, Larry) Berlin--A criminal investigation of federal health officials is being conducted following Germany's second scandal concerning blood products contaminated with the AIDS virus. Bruno Rautenburg, a spokesperson for Berlin's Justice Department, said that a probe is under way into allegations that the Federal Health Office allowed the release of tainted blood in 1990. Earlier this month, German Health Minister Horst Seehofer accused the agency of hushing-up 373 reports of patients who received contaminated blood up until 1985. The latest accusations, however, indicate that the infected blood may have been used even after the government mandated testing for HIV in 1985. Rautenburg said prosecutors were investigating the employees on suspicion of causing dangerous bodily harm by permitting a method of processing blood in 1990 that could lead to HIV infection. "AIDS Researchers Give Upbeat Reports at National Conference" United Press International (10/20/93) (Wasowicz, Lidia) San Francisco--Leading AIDS researchers reported renewed enthusiasm, optimism, and hope, as well as promising new vaccine tests to combat the deadly virus. Scientists continue to press on with studies of long-term survivors, combination drug therapies, and inoculation trials, attendees at the Sixth National AIDS Update Conference were told. More positive attitudes have replaced the discouragement and pessimism that followed last year's international AIDS conference in Berlin, where scientists presented disappointing study results. The studies reported at this conference were much more encouraging. Work with a group of drugs called protease inhibitors, which block the growth of infectious viruses, have so far been promising. Also, researchers are close to developing tests that can quickly measure the effectiveness of a particular treatment in an individual. Such screens would be significant in ensuring that patients would be neither over or under-treated. Further encouraging research indicates that early intervention with low doses of AZT in patients with high T-cell counts effectively delays progression of the disease. In addition, one pharmaceutical company reports "remarkable results" in the development of an AIDS vaccine. "New Choreography and High Fashion in a United Expression About AIDS" New York Times (10/20/93) P. C15 (Kisselgoff, Anna) The dance and fashion worlds merged Monday night for "A Demand Performance," a benefit extravaganza to raise money for AIDS education, care, and advocacy. The cause attracted 18 choreographers, who joined forces at the New York State Theater for an event that featured dance performances--many of them premieres--as well as vocal pieces. The gala was presented by the Design Industries Foundation for AIDS, the fashion industry's main crusader against the disease, in collaboration with Broadway Cares-Equity Fights AIDS, a group in the entertainment business. "AIDS Digest" Washington Blade (10/01/93) Vol. 24, No. 42, P. 33 The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute announced plans to conduct a three-year, $14 million clinical trial of immune globulin (HIVIG). The studies will examine how to prevent HIV transmission from HIV-infected pregnant women to their uninfected, unborn babies. The trial will involve 400 women, some of whom will receive HIVIG and some of whom will receive a placebo. All participants will take AZT. ------- End of Forwarded Message