Date: Tue, 24 May 1994 09:12:42 -0400 (EDT) From: "ANNE WILSON, CDC NAC" AIDS Daily Summary May 24, 1994 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 1994, Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD "AIDS Nursing Home Gets a Touch of Relief" Philadelphia Inquirer (05/24/94) P. B1; Collins, Huntly; Kaufman, Marc City and state officials yesterday announced a reprieve for Betak, Philadelphia's only nursing home specifically for AIDS patients. The facility has been struggling for its financial life since opening in January 1992. The latest financial crisis was triggered when a consortium of three hospitals announced that it could no longer subsidize Betak after July 1. Betak's board subsequently voted to close down and transfer patients to other nursing homes, hospitals, and homeless shelters. The reprieve granted yesterday means that the 36 critically ill patients will not have to be moved--at least for now. City Health Commissioner Estelle Richman and officials from Lutheran Homes, which owns Betak, came up with a plan that instructs Betak to find a way to meet its June payroll. Meanwhile, the city will send in a consultant to assess the facility's financial troubles, and propose a long-term solution. Hopefully, the city can come up with the necessary funds to plug a $768,000 shortfall in the nursing home's $2.8 million annual budget, said Richman. In light of the uncertain future of Betak, six activists began a fast to protest the facility's threatened closing. "A Novel Technique Fights AIDS Virus From Inside Cells" Philadelphia Inquirer (05/24/94) P. A2; Collins, Huntly Using a novel technique of gene therapy, researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have discovered how to virtually halt HIV's multiplication inside human cells. While antibodies usually prevent infection by binding to viruses outside of cells, this new method involves creating genetically-engineered antibodies that fight the disease inside infected cells. The Jefferson scientists targeted one of 10 known HIV genes called the Rev, which directs production of a protein that is essential for the virus to multiply in human cells. The researchers induced mice to produce the antibody to the Rev protein, then cloned the gene responsible for producing that antibody. They created a fragment of the gene by clipping out the two tips of the Y-shaped antibody and linking them together with another molecule. The synthetic gene fragment was then inserted into human cells, which were exposed to massive amounts of HIV. Although the cells became infected, viral reproduction was maintained at dramatically low levels, according to the researchers. Dr. Roger J. Pomerantz, head of the study, said he expects to seek federal approval this summer to test this novel approach in human subjects. If approved, a small safety trial could begin later this year. "Red Tape Blocking Occupancy" Richmond Times-Dispatch (05/23/94) P. B1; Billingsley, Anna Barron Two homes built by the Richmond AIDS Ministry to house AIDS patients have been completed since last month, but occupancy has been delayed by red tape--which has become even stickier due to nearby homeowners who oppose the AIDS residences. "There's a very painful side to this," says Harry Davis, RAM's director of development. "There are people who have been waiting and hoping--and even living--for this place to open. And they're not going to make it." Although the Forest Hill-Bliley Road Neighborhood Association was unsuccessful in halting construction of the homes, which each accommodate eight patients, it has been key in derailing legislation that would have paved the way for the homes to be granted a licensing exemption. Despite the regulatory delays and the month-long deadlock with the neighborhood association, one resident will move this week into the home located on Bliley Road; the home on Cherokee Road will remain unoccupied for now. According to John Baumann, executive director at RAM, there is a waiting list of more than 30 AIDS patients, and no other organization in Richmond provides such housing. "Everybody--even disabled people--has a right to be in a home in a neighborhood among friends," he said. "They don't have to banished to an institution." Those opposed say they are not against providing housing for AIDS patients, they just don't think such housing should be located in their neighborhoods. Their contention is that the homes are hospices; therefore, they should be held to more stringent licensing and zoning requirements. "Scientists Recommend New AIDS Drug" Baltimore Sun (05/21/94) P. 11A An advisory committee to the Food and Drug Administration last week recommended that the government approve a new drug to treat HIV, but with strong warnings that doctors still do not know enough about the medicine to say who should take it. The panel of scientists said that Stavudine, or d4T, probably has some benefit over the three existing AIDS drugs, but could not say precisely who would benefit, how safe the drug is, or whether the manufacturer is on the right track to answer these and other questions. The drug seems to help boost the immunity of HIV patients while creating fewer side effects than other drugs, according to Bristol-Myers Squibb. The company requested FDA approval of d4T for AIDS patients who cannot tolerate AZT, ddI, or ddC because of their serious side effects. The FDA has not said when it will make a decision regarding d4T. Related Story: Boston Globe (05/21) P. 10 "New AIDS Treatment Acts on 'Resting' Cells--Researcher" Reuters (05/21/94) A new HIV treatment unveiled this week is more promising than previous ones because it acts on inactive or "resting" cells, according to Dr. Jorge Vila, the doctor leading the researcher. "Antiviral drugs like AZT ... are not as efficient in humans as they are 'in vitro,'" Vila told local Argentine newspaper Pagina 12. "We believe that this is because the cells on which they are tested are active." In humans, 95 percent of the cells affected by HIV are "resting" ones, he said. A team of researchers headed by Vila reported last week that test-tube experiments with a combination of a new drug, DAH, and ddI, eliminated HIV from "resting" lymphocyte blood cells. The research may point toward an effective new treatment for the 14 million HIV-infected people around the globe. "Swiss Red Cross Hit by AIDS Blood Scandal" Richmond Times-Dispatch (05/23/94) P. A4 The Swiss Red Cross has become caught up in a scandal over its use of HIV-contaminated blood supplies. Charges of grievous bodily harm were filed earlier this month against Alfred Haessig, the 73-year-old former director of the agency's central laboratory. Haessig is accused of allowing the use of infected blood products even after testing procedures became available in the mid-1980s. Other health officials may face charges as attorneys for infected hemophiliacs and their families seek compensation. "People" United Press International (05/23/94); Kuklenski, Valerie Superstar Barbra Streisand this fall will direct and star in Larry Kramer's film adaptation of his award-winning AIDS play, "The Normal Heart." Streisand will portray Linda Laubenstein, the first doctor on the front lines of AIDS treatment in New York, according to Kramer. "The Normal Heart" debuted in 1985. It was recorded during an April 1993 benefit reading for a two-CD set release. The recording features an all-star cast, including Eric Bogosian, Stockard Channing, Harry Hamlin, Kevin Bacon, and John Turturro. Kramer's royalties, as well as those of the actors, will go to the charity Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. "Time to Quit Dodging AIDS Crisis and Start Confronting It Directly" Nation's Restaurant (05/02/94) Vol. 28, No. 18, P. 39; Van Warner, Rick The very nature of the foodservice industry places it in a precarious position regarding HIV-positive employees--particularly when management ignores the situation. Fear-stoked rumors and whispered misinformation cause tension and confusion disruptive to the teamwork and energy needed to operate a well-run restaurant. The infected employee may experience intentional and/or subconscious persecution by co-workers. To ignore the many daily realities of having an HIV-infected employee is a mistake, and to do so is an invitation to AIDS-discrimination litigation. The solutions are not simple, but they begin with education and awareness. Restaurants and other operations must do more to confront the AIDS crisis head-on. This need to educate employees and raise awareness within the organization leads back to the primary reason operators don't: they fear potential stigma with customers. Awareness, however, needs to be heightened not only among employees but among customers. Reducing fear outside the restaurant is essential because rumors, fears, and misinformation that circulate within are sure to spread outside as well.