From: "ANNE WILSON, CDC NAC" AIDS Daily Summary November 15, 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 "N.Y. Wrestles With Bill to Identify AIDS Babies" Washington Times (11/15/93) P. A3 (Roskey, Colin T.) Children's health concerns clashed with the privacy issue recently in New York State, leaving a proposal to identify HIV-infected newborns in a deadlock. New York and 44 other states anonymously test newborns to help health officials track the AIDS epidemic. But an infant with HIV could have only been infected by its mother, which means that the mother is infected as well. Consequently, New York Assemblywoman Nettie Mayersohn introduced legislation to mandate notification of mothers whose newborns have tested positive for the AIDS virus. Opponents insist that the proposal equals mandatory AIDS testing, which contradicts the New York law requiring written consent. Supporters counter that, because of recent advances in treatment that can significantly prolong the lives of AIDS babies, mothers would want to know if their infants are infected. The opposition, however, was substantial enough to split the assembly's Health Committee, which has now moved to establish a panel of health experts to determine whether the proposal should be approved. The panel is to present a report at the end of the year, and make recommendations for the next legislative session. "US Drops Charges on AIDS Scientist" Boston Globe (11/13/93) P. 3 (Recer, Paul) The government has dropped misconduct charges filed against AIDS co-discoverer Robert Gallo, who was accused of violating scientific ethics in his pioneering research of the virus. Gallo, 56, head of a laboratory at the National Institutes of Health, had been found guilty by the Public Health Service's Office of Research Integrity (ORI) of neglecting to properly attribute credit to other researchers and of making a misstatement in a scientific journal. The case was dropped, according to Gallo head investigator Dr. Lyle W. Bivens, only because the U.S. Public Health Service was unable to meet "a new definition of scientific misconduct" demanded by a review board. Gallo said the dismissal "completely vindicated" him, and his lawyer called Bivens' comments "outrageous." "The reason that they didn't pursue the case is that ORI knew that it couldn't prove its false charges before a fair and independent tribunal," contended Gallo's attorney, Joe Onek. Gallo and his colleagues published articles in 1984 identifying the specific virus that causes AIDS. French researchers asserted shortly thereafter that they had already isolated the virus, and accused the Americans of falsely claiming credit. The two nations compromised to recognize Gallo and Frenchman Dr. Luc Montagnier as co-discoverers of the AIDS virus. "AIDS--Vitamins" Associated Press (11/11/93) (Recer, Paul) Washington--The AIDS virus may block the body's normal defenses against oxygen free radicals, naturally occurring molecules that can destroy cells if thrown off proper balance, speculated experts at a National Institutes of Health conference. These radicals normally are neutralized in the body by antioxidant nutrients like betacarotene and vitamins A, C, and E. Dr. Howard C. Greenspan, chairman of the conference, noted that HIV destroys the body's ability to absorb and use these nutrients, thus creating an overabundance of the free radicals. The overabundance of the molecules created leads to "oxidative stress," which has been associated with the aging process, cancer, heart disease, and muscular dystrophy, among other diseases, according to Greenspan. It has also been shown to kill key cells of the immune system, thereby exacerbating the destructive effect of the AIDS virus. "This may be a major factor in killing off the immune system," Greenspan declared. He said the over-oxidation creates two effects in AIDS. First, it aids HIV reproduction, and the virus destroys the body's ability to protect itself against the oxygen free radicals. Also, the AIDS virus destroys an inner layer of the intestine that absorbs key antioxidant nutrients. Some studies, according to Greenspan, have suggested that vitamin therapy may reverse this effect, although he advises patients to consult a physician for advice and guidance before embarking on a do-it-yourself therapy. Related Story: New York Times (11/14) P. 27. "Lawsuit: SEPTA Kept 'AIDS List'" Philadelphia Inquirer (11/13/93) P. B1 (Caba, Susan) An HIV-infected manager at SEPTA, identified only as John Doe, has charged the Philadelphia transit agency with compiling an "AIDS List" of infected employees and using that list to discriminate. The list was compiled by Judith Pierce, then chief administrative officer, who allegedly studied employee prescription information and noted those employees who were receiving drugs used exclusively for the treatment of HIV-related conditions. Pierce evidently had access to this information due to direct billing of employee prescriptions to SEPTA. John Doe, who was taking AZT, claims that he was denied promotions and raises because of his illness, and is seeking over $100,000 in damages. "State: Proof of Exposure Needed to Reveal Doctor's HIV Status" Philadelphia Inquirer (11/13/93) P. B1 (Collins, Huntly) Patients should be informed of their doctor's HIV-positive status only if there is clear proof that the patients were exposed to the virus, dictated new guidelines released last week by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Health. The goal of the recommendations, which cover all health-care workers, is to balance the privacy rights of doctors with patients' risk of infection from HIV-positive doctors--a risk the state says is extremely low. On one end, patient notification is deemed appropriate if evidence of "significant exposure" to a patient is demonstrated, and after a state review of the case. On the other end, hospitals may impose restrictions on invasive procedures undertaken by HIV-infected health-care workers. Although the guidelines are only advisory to hospitals and other health-care providers, state officials expect most providers to comply. "Romania Admits Sending Infected Blood to Germany" Reuters (11/11/93) Bucharest--In a reversal of previous denials that it exported any blood at all, Romania admitted Thursday that it had sent contaminated blood to Germany, where the country's largest medical scandal continues to unfold. That blood, claims Romania, was tainted with hepatitis, not AIDS. Romanian Health Minister Iulian Mincu earlier informed the upper house of the Bucharest parliament, the Senate, that Romania had not exported blood and would refrain from doing so in the future. A company registered in Romania, U.B. Plasma Roma SRL, was 60 percent owned by the German firm U.B. Plasma, which was shut down because of the scandal. U.B. Plasma Roma SRL collected 340 gallons of plasma in the first six months of 1992 but, according to U.B. Plasma, the German side was supposed to test the blood, "so the whole responsibility and seriousness of the analysis belongs to the German side," said the ministry. "Institute Says 15 Percent of Germans Want AIDS Test" United Press International (11/10/93) Bonn--Results of an opinion poll conducted by a German publication indicates that 15 percent of all Germans would like to be tested for the AIDS virus in reaction to reports of inadequate blood screening procedures. The weekly Die Woche reported that 15 percent of the 1,020 adult Germans interviewed by the Forsa research institute said they would undergo an AIDS test. That percentage translates into 9 million people requesting blood tests. Health officials called for testing of all patients who received blood products in the past seven years. "Germany Raises Compensation for AIDS-Tainted Blood" Reuters (11/11/93) (Liffey, Kevin) Bonn--The German government plans to increase compensation to people who became infected with the AIDS virus through contaminated blood, the parliament's budget committee decided Thursday. The offer primarily will benefit the 1,800 hemophiliacs who contracted HIV from blood treatments in the early 1980s before screening was introduced. The committee agreed to raise the government's contribution to the fund to $11.8 million, up from $1.2 million, according to parliamentarian Dick Sauer. He said that regional states would be asked to increase their contribution of three million, and pharmaceutical companies would need to augment their two million-mark donation. "It is scandalous that the pharmaceutical insurance companies have so far refused to contribute to this humanitarian aid fund," said Sauer. Health minister Horst Seehofer said the government was contemplating legal changes to render insurance companies liable in future cases. It may also sponsor a test suit to try to force the two closed-down firms to pay compensation to the HIV cases. "Zimbabwe MPs Want Spreading of AIDS Made Crime" Reuters (11/11/93) Harare--Members of parliament in Zimbabwe have approved a motion to curb AIDS that includes the possibility of legislation against people who intentionally transmit the virus through sexual contact, according to the national news agency. "The MPs said this legislation would encourage those carrying the AIDS virus to adopt safer sex practices," ZIANA reported. It was not announced when the MPs might legislate on the issue, or what sentences offenders could expect. Statistics indicate that 60,000 of the 10 million Zimbabwean population have AIDS, while another 800,000 are HIV carriers. "Condom Shop Causes Worries" Boston Globe (11/12/93) P. 21 (Vigue, Doreen Iudica) The recent opening of a condom shop in Waltham, Mass., has raised the ire of city officials and residents who feel the store will not promote safe sex, but will threaten the revitalization of the downtown area. The shop, called "For the '90s, Lifestyles Adult Entertainment Centers" could attract other similar businesses, creating a "combat zone," complains the City Council, along with Mayor William Stanley. "Who would want to buy a business next to a condom shop?" asks Stanley. The shop, owned by brothers Michael and Gary Stone, sells every imaginable kind of condom, x-rated videos, sex toys, and body oils and creams, as well as informational pamphlets on AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. "Sex is a big business in America and safe sex is an even bigger one these days," says Gary Stone. "Cameroon MPs Get Bumper Box of Condoms" Reuters (11/10/93) Yaounde--Following widespread rumors that the Cameroon parliament is infested with AIDS, each parliament member received a box of 144 Korean-made condoms in a special session Wednesday. To highlight the battle against AIDS, the health ministry gave condoms to each of the 180 deputies, including females and Muslims. The gift spawned a special debate on AIDS in this country, located in Central Africa, where 1 percent of the 12.5 million residents are HIV-positive. During the debate, one female deputy criticized the state's failure to provide for the widows of AIDS patients. She also pointed out that the rubber found in condoms rots quickly in rural areas because there is no protection against the tropical heat. "CDC Estimate on HIV Population Based on Survival Time" AIDS Alert (10/93) Vol. 8, No. 10, P. 160 Although the estimate of 1 million American cases of HIV is based on a sensitive system known as "back calculation," the figure has remained constant over time. Statisticians come up with the number by applying the incubation period for AIDS--now at about 10 years--to the number of reported AIDS cases. They then estimate backward to determine how many HIV infections would have been necessary to account for the current number of AIDS cases. The problem with this method, however, is that the calculations are sensitive to the estimated incubation time, which is based on limited studies of homosexuals and hemophiliacs who are able to pinpoint seroconversion, explains Dr. Patricia Fleming, chief of reporting and analysis of the HIV/AIDS division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Statisticians must also consider the impact of treatment on development of AIDS. They, therefore, use the 1 million estimate cautiously, fully aware that it could have a margin of error of 100,000 to 200,000 cases. Although the estimate is constantly updated, the figure hasn't budged. The CDC explains this by saying that the number of new infections are roughly equal to the number of AIDS deaths.