AIDS Daily Summary December 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 "Female Condom Is Winning Favor" New York Times (12/15/93) P. B1 (Navarro, Mireya) Despite lukewarm government endorsement, the female condom is gaining acceptance among the first women to try it, according to informal discussions with clients. Reality, manufactured by Wisconsin Pharmacal Company in Jackson, Wis., is not yet available in drugstores, but the company has sold some 50,000 of the condoms to public health, family planning, and AIDS clinics in more than 100 cities across the country, which are distributing them for free or at reduced prices to patients. According to the clinics, over half of the women who have tried Reality say they like it. The attraction, say the clinics, is that the condom can be inserted well before intercourse, that it feels better than the male latex condom, and that it gives women more control over precautions against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Women who say they do not like the female condom complain that it squeaks--something the makers say will happen if it is not adequately lubricated--and that it inhibits foreplay. Others say the device is visually offputting--it is held together by two rings, one of which is inserted into the vagina and another that remains outside of the body. Nevertheless, due to laboratory results indicating that it is an "effective barrier to viruses, including HIV," the Centers for Disease Control has recommended use of the female condom as a safe-sex option. Price, however, may be a barrier, as the condoms are expected to sell for $2.50 each once they are on the U.S. market. "AIDS Researchers Changing Direction" Philadelphia Inquirer (12/15/93) P. A2 (Collins, Huntly) Unable to find a "magic bullet" to eradicate AIDS, scientists are shifting research focus from antiviral tactics to strategies that draw on the body's own immune system. Various strategies, ranging from gene therapy to the transfer of healthy cells into infected patients, were presented yesterday at a meeting of 1,200 AIDS researchers. So far, the new approaches--some of which have been tested in labs and on animals--are highly experimental. The interest in immune-based research has been heightened during a period in which the three licensed anti-HIV drugs have demonstrated only limited effectiveness. AZT, ddI, and ddC delay the progression of HIV infection, but are unable to conquer it. The virus eventually becomes resistant to the drug and destroys the body's white blood cells, which fight infection. "It's clear with antiviral drugs, we are having an impact on the disease, but not the major impact we would like," concurred Dr. Joseph A. Kovacs, an investigator at the National Institutes of Health. Even if a new drug is developed that would effectively fight HIV itself, scientists believe that immune-based therapies would still be necessary to restore immune function in patients who may have lost many of their CD4 cells during the course of infection. "How About a Policy on AIDS?" Los Angeles Times--Washington Edition (12/15/93) P. A11 (Dawidoff, Robert) The Clinton administration is beginning to respond to AIDS, but so far its record on the epidemic is lacking, says Robert Dawidoff, co-author of "Created Equal: Why Gay Rights Matter to Americans." The 1994 budget increases funding for AIDS, a new AIDS prevention initiative is in the works, and Clinton's new health-care plan suggests more secure coverage for infected patients, acknowledges Dawidoff. But people with AIDS, he contends, were not represented and did not have any input on the health-care task force, and the administration continues to enforce laws prohibiting infected persons from entering the country. Moreover, says Dawidoff, the Clinton administration has failed in the two most critical areas required for an effective AIDS policy: a coordinated battle plan with specific goals and a timetable to achieve them, and a sense of urgency. Dawidoff says he can only hope that the reason for this failure to address AIDS at the policy level is not because the disease primarily attacks relatively powerless members of society, including homosexual men, blacks, Latinos, drug addicts, and their children. "EXP--AIDS Ads" Associated Press (12/13/94) (Bauder, David) Albany, N.Y.--While health authorities across the country are urging more openness in public discussion about how to prevent AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, New York is one state that, with the television broadcast of three condom ads, is doing more than talk. One of the three spots features a girl drilling her younger sister, who is preparing for a date, about the importance of condom use. The second ad shows two gay men working out in a gym and discussing condom use, and the last commercial portrays a man returning home to his wife and family, anxious because his male date refused to use a condom. The public service announcements are "tasteful yet direct," according to state Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Chassin, who said those refusing to air the ads were sending mixed messages to viewers. "We cannot continue to waste this essential public information resource by only airing HIV prevention messages that are vague and nonspecific," insists Chassin. "We must directly advocate behavior change." The announcements, which were distributed in February, have been running for months without much fuss. To the disappointment of health officials, the messages have been better-received upstate New York, rather than in New York City, which has the highest concentration of AIDS patients in the nation. "AIDS Suit Against 'Magic' Johnson Settled" United Press International (12/10/93) Kalamazoo, Mich.--Former professional basketball star Earvin "Magic" Johnson has reached an out-of-court settlement with Waymer Moore, a Michigan woman who accused the retired Los Angeles Laker of infecting her with the AIDS virus. A trial was scheduled to begin in March, but U.S. District Judge Richard Enslen dismissed the case upon receipt of a document signed by Johnson and Moore stating that they no longer wished to pursue the case. Johnson had admitted to one sexual liaison with Moore, an old friend, in June of 1990. In October 1992, Moore filed a $2 million lawsuit alleging that Johnson either knew he was HIV-positive or should have realized that he was at risk because of his promiscuous lifestyle. Johnson maintained that he did not learn of his HIV status until November 1991. Upon learning that he was HIV-positive, Johnson blamed his infection on the promiscuous, fast-lane NBA lifestyle he led, during which he allegedly slept with some 2,000 women. Neither Johnson nor Waymer has developed AIDS. "France to Convene AIDS Summit Next Year--Minister" Reuters (12/12/93) Marrakesh, Morocco--Some time in the first half of 1994, France plans to host a summit of Africa's main donor countries to discuss the continent's AIDS epidemic. Health and Social Affairs Minister Simone Veil said that the summit will be chaired by French Prime Minister Edouard Balladur, and would explore ways to significantly increase contributions for the fight against the disease. The announcement was delivered at an international, five-day conference in Monaco, where one World Health Organization official reported that the number of Africans infected with HIV has skyrocketed in the past year to nearly 10 million. "MANNA: Nourishing Body and Soul of Those With AIDS" Philadelphia Inquirer (12/13/93) P. E1 (Kadaba, Lini S.) Most people infected with the AIDS virus need to eat for strength and life, but are often too weak to cook for themselves. In Philadelphia, the Metropolitan AIDS Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance (MANNA) comes to the rescue. The organization began in 1987 as a group of church volunteers cooking and delivering food to people with AIDS. It blossomed into a nonprofit, nonsectarian organization including five full-time employees and 250 volunteers, who expect to deliver 24,000 hot meals to more than 300 people this year. MANNA executive director Kay J. Keenze consults with diet technicians to create menus that are protein-rich to build muscles, and that include soups and soft, well-cooked foods that are easier to swallow for AIDS patients who have throat lesions. MANNA lunches, delivered five days each week, are often the only substantial nutrition clients receive, says Keenze. With more and more patients becoming homebound, she says that MANNA, with a budget of $460,000, needs to expand. She envisions a 24-hour cooking operation that produces 300 meals a day. To do this, however, Keenze says she needs more money and more volunteers. "We couldn't open our doors one day without volunteers," she emphasizes. "Estonia Prepares to Develop Sex Tourism" United Press International (12/13/93) Moscow--Estonia, a tiny Baltic nation, plans to develop sex tourism as a legal industry. If legalized by the parliament, brothels and prostitutes would require licenses from local governments and would be obliged to pay taxes, said Justice Minister Kaido Kama. The act could generate extra revenue of as much as $1.5 million to this former Soviet republic. The draft law claims it would protect customers with guarantees of anonymity and by issuing licenses only after medical checkups to curb the spread of AIDS. "Isis Announces Initiation of Clinical Trials for Antisense Drug to Treat CMV Infections That Cause Blindness in AIDS Patients" PR Newswire (12/13/93) Carlsbad, Calif.--Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc. has begun clinical trials for its antisense compound to treat cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis, an opportunistic viral infection that can cause blindness in AIDS patients. Isis will first conduct a small Phase I study to determine the safety of ocular injection of ISIS 2922, an antisense drug that prevents the production of a protein necessary for HIV replication. CMV retinitis affects as many as 46 percent of AIDS patients. Current therapies delay the progression of the infection for a short while, but the disease eventually progresses. Patients must often stop taking available drugs because of side effects or incompatibility with HIV drugs. ISIS 2922, a highly selective mechanism, may result in fewer side effects and require less frequent dosing. In vitro studies indicate that ISIS 2922 is active against strains of HIV that are resistant to other therapies. In addition, studies with monkeys suggest that intravitreal injection of the drug is safe. "Health Fund Held Subject to ADA in AIDS Exemption" National Law Journal (12/06/93) Vol. 16, No. 14, P. 17 (Donovan, Karen) In a ruling that supports the U.S. government's interpretation of who is liable for violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act, a federal judge found that a health fund which in 1991 excluded coverage for HIV and AIDS is, in fact, a "covered entity" under the ADA. U.S. District Judge John E. Sprizzo denied a motion for summary judgment by the Mason Tenders District Council Welfare Fund, which sought a declaration that it is governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), not the ADA. Sprizzo also ruled that in a subsequent trial, the fund must show actuarial basis for the exclusion--proof that the fund would become financially insolvent by covering the benefits. James L. Lee, an attorney at Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, said that the ruling is good news for the parallel lawsuit brought by the EEOC against the fund, its trustees, and the employer of Terrence P. Donaghey, a construction worker who was denied benefits. "We feel the court vindicated our position today," said Lee.