AIDS Daily Summary December 13, 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 "U.N. Agency Reports AIDS Virus Spreading Very Quickly in Africa" New York Times (12/13/93) P. B8 Some 2 million additional people contracted the AIDS virus in the last year, most of them in Africa, where the teenagers and young adults are being infected at a distressing rate, reported the World Health Organization. Nearly 70 percent of the world's HIV population is in Africa and 60 percent of new infections are among people aged 15 to 24, cited Dr. Michael Merson, director-general of WHO's global AIDS program. "This demonstrates the vulnerability of Africa's youth and shows us where to focus our prevention efforts," declared Merson, citing migration and population displacements due to civil strife as partially responsible for the AIDS crisis in Africa. Merson made his comments at the opening of the eighth annual International Conference on AIDS in Africa, which was attended by some 3,500 medical researchers, sociologists, health officials, AIDS activists, and artists representing 40 countries. "Penn Enrolling Subjects for Testing of HIV Drug" Philadelphia Inquirer (12/11/93) P. B2 The University of Pennsylvania is currently enrolling HIV-infected patients with T-cell counts lower than 400 and high HIV antibodies to participate in the trial of an experimental drug that aims to prevent cell-to-cell transmission of the AIDS virus. Labeled L-735,524, the compound inhibits the protease enzyme that is used by the virus to replicate. The drug was developed by Merck & Co., and is also being tested in four other school-based clinics. "Second Wave of AIDS Feared by Officials in San Francisco" New York Times (12/11/93) P. 1 (Gross, Jane) In the gay capital of the United States, San Francisco, health officials fear the city may be headed for a second wave of AIDS infections. Many gay men--numb from loss, pessimistic about their own survival, unwilling to face some sexual deprivation, and eager for the attention bestowed on those ill or dying--are again engaging in unprotected anal intercourse, which behavior experts say is boosting infection rates. Ron Stall, a behavioral epidemiologist, and other experts discovered a rising infection rate and a disturbing level of unsafe sex in their combined reading of epidemiological data. Among every 100 uninfected gay men in San Francisco, there were 18 new cases of infection in 1982. That number fell to one in 1985, but has been bumped back up to two--four among men under age 25. This, insist experts, is the clearest indication of a corresponding increase in unsafe sexual behavior. While it is now common knowledge that anal intercourse without condoms spreads AIDS, surveys show that one in every three gay men is still engaging in unsafe sex. Lack of information does not account for the problem. Experts cite emotional factors as possible explanations, including depression and feelings that the disease is unavoidable. "U.S. to Crack Down on Tainted Tissue Transplants" Reuters (12/10/93) (Trautman, Robert) Washington--The Food and Drug Administration on Friday announced a crackdown against trade in contaminated human bones and tissue for transplants that could cause AIDS or hepatitis. The FDA is issuing regulations to require that American tissue banks ensure adequate screening of these products, said FDA Commissioner David Kessler, citing potentially infectious tissue from cadavers imported from at least six sources in Russia and eastern Europe. Two FDA agents discovered that two small tissue banks, Kalev USA of Los Angeles and Flark Medical Inc. of Detroit, received bodies from these regions. One blood sample that the agents bought from the companies tested positive for hepatitis. According to Kessler, the firms handled only about 200 cadavers, a small percentage of the national total. Although the risk of disease transmission through cadavers is small, said Kessler, "the potential of tissues to transmit infectious diseases must be thoroughly guarded against." FDA officials said they had no documentation of infections from previous transplants. The Center for Infectious Diseases, however, has cited cases of HIV from organs transplanted during the six-month incubation period between when HIV is contracted and when it can be detected in tests. "'Proof Positive' Captures a Good Life, Despite HIV" Baltimore Sun (12/11/93) P. 5D (Dorsey, John) Through Jan. 15, Maryland Art Place in Baltimore, Md., will feature "Proof Positive: Five Photographic Interpretations of Life with HIV." The AIDS exhibit displays pictures taken by five photographers, and the content varies. Some of the subjects are HIV-positive; some have progressed to full-blown AIDS, some have not. The content is reflective not only of the dual nature of the show, but of the disease. Jack Radcliffe's work, for instance, creates an indelible and devastating impression through his images of AIDS patients, while Cary Beth Cryor's "Throne of Resistance" focuses instead on the images of infected persons who continue to lead productive lives. According to curators Connie Imboden and Jose Villarrubia, the exhibit is about living and intends to show that "there can be a positive outlook to the lives of those affected with HIV." "A 'Messiah' for Kids With AIDS" Boston Globe (12/10/93) P. 67 (Dyer, Richard) Sing-along "Messiahs" have become increasingly popular during the holiday season, and one scheduled for Dec. 20 will benefit youngsters infected the AIDS virus. The "Messiah for Hope" performance, accompanied by members of the New England Philharmonic, will donate proceeds to Boston's Children's Hospital AIDS Program (CHAP). The event will be further enhanced by the solo performances of professional singers. "New Chamber Ensemble Promotes AIDS Awareness; Positive Music to Perform Series of Free Concerts" PR Newswire (12/09/93) New York--An HIV-positive bassist has formed POSITIVE MUSIC, a new chamber music ensemble that aims to promote AIDS awareness and education. "POSITIVE MUSIC is a group of professional musicians whose lives have been deeply affected by AIDS and HIV," says founder and artistic director Charles Tomlinson. "We hope to provide a forum where music can serve to enlighten, inform, and help the healing process for all of us who have felt the pain and loss of this epidemic." Tomlinson has played with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, Michigan Opera Theatre, Music for Life, and additional chamber music organizations. POSITIVE MUSIC will present a series of free concerts called Fourth Wednesdays at the Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center in Manhattan. The concerts will spotlight new material as well as a standard chamber music repertoire. The series begins on Jan. 26, 1994, and presents new performances on the fourth Wednesday of each month. "Life Insurers Eye Specter of AIDS Claims" Nikkei Weekly (Japan) (11/29/93) Vol. 31, No. 1597, P. 26 Fearing an increase in AIDS-related claims, Japan's life insurers are debating whether potential clients should be obliged to take HIV tests. Japanese insurance companies currently require potential buyers with big payouts to undergo health check-ups, and those clients found to have a serious illness--such as terminal cancer--are turned away. The companies do not, however, require HIV-status information; therefore, life insurers must pay up when a policyholder with AIDS dies. In the United States, as well as in several European nations, insurance companies have for years called on buyers to declare HIV status when signing up for a policy and, in the late 1980s, mandated blood tests for buyers of large-payout policies. Despite these precautions, AIDS-related policies in America equaled close to $1.4 billion in 1992--four times the amount in 1986--according to the American Council of Life Insurance. Some insist that many HIV carriers know that they are infected, yet intentionally purchase policies so that their families can be provided for when they die. These and other problems encountered by American and European insurance companies have raised concerns among Japanese insurers, who are known for their caution. In response, the Life Insurance Association of Japan is compiling guidelines on how best to implement questions about HIV status and blood tests, as well as pamphlets on how to prevent HIV carriers from obtaining policies. Industry insiders do not expect much from these measures. In fact, they are holding their breath and hoping that Japan escapes the AIDS explosion felt in so many other countries. "AIDSLine" Advocate (11/30/93) No. 643, P. 34 (Cohan, Gary R.) As many as 20 percent of AIDS patients can develop a dermatologic condition known as molluscum contagiosum. The lesions, which resemble pimples, do not affect internal organs or cause medical complications, so the problem is mostly cosmetic. Ranging in size from a small acne-like pimple to large clusters, the whitish, indented, hemispherical papules can surface on the face, neck, armpits, groin, and buttocks, causing a great deal of emotional anxiety. The condition is caused by a pox-virus infection of the skin similar to wart viruses. Molluscum lesions can be treated by freezing them with a topical liquid nitrogen or by burning them with electric current or trichloroacetic acid. Some mild cases have been successfully treated with Retin-A, an acne medication. The lesions, however, are nearly impossible to cure and have a tendency to recur and spread despite aggressive treatment. "Resources" Business & Health (11/93) Vol. 11, No. 13, P. 12 Deaconess Press presents "We Are All Living With AIDS: How You Can Set Policies and Guidelines for the Workplace," a book of guidelines for establishing an HIV or AIDS education program at work. The examples detailed in the book are designed to apply to companies and industries of diverse sizes. The book also identifies and thoroughly discusses 10 major obstacles companies may encounter when developing and implementing comprehensive HIV or AIDS policies. In addition, accompanying the book are resource sheets and appendices of organizations to call for more information. The cost is $14.95.