Date: Thu, 2 Feb 1995 10:31:29 +0500 From: ghmcleaf{CONTRACTOR/ASPEN/ghmcleaf}%NAC-GATEWAY.ASPEN@ace.aspensys.com AIDS Daily Summary February 2, 1995 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 1995, Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD ************************************************************ "Combined AIDS Drug Therapy Shows Promise" "AIDS Soars among Crack Users, Barely Registers in Much of U.S." "Novel Anti-HIV Compound From ISIS Pharmaceuticals..." "The Reliable Source" "French Court Tells Benetton to Pay HIV Victims" "Romania Wants Legal Brothels to Fight AIDS" "Across the USA: Connecticut" "Food Watch: AIDS and Comfort" "Health Status and Function with Zidovudine or Zalcitabine as Initial Therapy for AIDS" "HIV, Cancer, and Male Pap Smears" ************************************************************ "Combined AIDS Drug Therapy Shows Promise" Los Angeles Times--Washington Edition (02/02/95) P. A5; Cimons, Marlene New studies presented on Wednesday at the Second National Conference on Human Retroviruses and Related Infections show that an experimental new antiviral drug called 3TC, taken in combination with AZT, reduced AIDS infection and appeared to improve the immune systems of patients better than either drug taken alone. Data presented on Tuesday showed that another class of drugs, protease inhibitors, produced similar results. The researchers studying the 3TC/AZT combination found marked decreases in virus levels in patients' blood and significant increases in CD4 lymphocytes. The effects lasted at least six months, and longer in some patients. The scientists, however, emphasized that it is too soon to know whether the data would translate into prolonged survival or fewer infections. Other developments at the meeting include a progress report on AIDS vaccine development and a summation of a five-year pilot program of HIV-screening of pregnant women in Los Angeles County. A total of 65 percent of the women found to be infected had no identified risks for infection with HIV--a finding that investigators said should strengthen the argument of offering the test to all pregnant women, not just to those who engage in high-risk behavior. Related Stories: New York Times (02/02) P. A19; Wall Street Journal (02/02) P. B2; Philadelphia Inquirer (02/02) P. A7; Washington Times (02/02) P. A7 "AIDS Soars among Crack Users, Barely Registers in Much of U.S." Washington Times (02/02/95) P. A3 Although the AIDS epidemic is sweeping out of control among crack cocaine smokers in the poorest neighborhoods of the United States, it is barely perceptible across much of the nation, according to new studies. Several reports presented at an AIDS meeting sponsored by the American Society for Microbiology illustrate the great differences in how the epidemic affects Americans' lives. One study found that in New York City and Miami, 4 percent of the crack users are becoming HIV-infected each year. This infection rate is "among the highest ever reported in the United States," said Dr. Brian R. Edlin of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Other data showed that only six-hundredths of 1 percent of people applying for insurance are infected. HIV was most common in Washington, D.C.; Puerto Rico; Florida; and New York state. The findings suggest that AIDS has not made deep inroads into mainstream American life. It does not, however, represent a true cross-section of infection because some people who suspect they are infected may refuse to give blood for testing. HIV infections also appear to be decreasing among homosexuals and intravenous drug users. In venereal disease clinics in New York City, for example, there was a sharp decline among homosexual men. While half the men seeking treatment in 1988 were infected, only one-third in 1993 were. Related Story: Investor's Business Daily (02/02) P. A1 "Novel Anti-HIV Compound From ISIS Pharmaceuticals..." PR Newswire (02/02/95) Isis Pharmaceuticals has announced that its new compound ISIS 5320 appears to prevent HIV replication in the SCID-hu mouse model of infection. The results were presented at the Second National Conference on Human Retroviruses and Related Infections. Systemix Inc. conducted the trials, which were funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. SCID-hu mice are immunodeficient mice that have received human fetal liver and thymus tissue transplants. "The Reliable Source" Washington Post (02/02/95) P. C3; Romano, Lois A public relations executive for Harlem Hospital in New York was fired this week after superiors learned from the evening news that, unbeknown to them, Princess Diana had visited their hospital's AIDS ward earlier in the day. "French Court Tells Benetton to Pay HIV Victims" Reuters (02/01/95) A Paris court on Wednesday ordered clothing giant Benetton to pay damages to HIV patients over an advertising campaign that featured parts of the human body tattooed with the words "HIV positive." Showing bare human flesh with inscriptions recalling AIDS "evoked Nazi barbarity or meat marking," the court ruled. It also said the theme of the campaign was an abuse of the freedom of expression and a "provocative exploitation of suffering." Three HIV-infected individuals and an association of AIDS protesters had sued the Italian clothier, arguing that the campaign was offensive to people with AIDS. Lawyers for Benetton and United Colours of Benetton Communication claimed the group was entitled to launch original advertising campaigns based on contemporary issues. The court disagreed, ordering the group to pay $32,000 in damages, and warning that it could be made to pay $9,600 for each poster if the campaign continued. "Romania Wants Legal Brothels to Fight AIDS" Reuters (02/01/95); Popescu, Karen In an attempt to ward off an expected late explosion of sexually transmitted AIDS, Romania is considering reopening brothels. The health ministry urged parliament to consider reinstating brothels on a legal basis to help doctors' efforts to prevent the spread of AIDS among Romanian adults. Health State Secretary Dan Georgescu said the number of new AIDS cases among adults had grown from the first five reported in 1985, to 59 new cases in 1994. Out of 1,965 AIDS patients, 93 percent are children under age 12, he said. Georgescu said that brothels should be legalized because "these establishments can help to control not only the spread of AIDS but also venereal diseases, as we now have widespread prostitution, gone totally out of control." The brothels were closed by Romania's communists when they seized power in the country after World War II. Romania is also seeking changes to the penal code to provide prison sentences of up to five years for people found guilty of deliberately transmitting HIV. "Across the USA: Connecticut" USA Today (02/01/95) P. 6A The city of Stamford, Conn., must decide whether or not to accept an $85,000 grant for a needle-exchange program to stem the spread of AIDS. While opponents say it would encourage drug use, advocates say it would save lives. "Food Watch: AIDS and Comfort" Philadelphia Inquirer (02/01/95) P. F1; Schogol, Marc On Thursday, the fifth annual "Dining Out for Life" program will be held. This year's event, sponsored by ActionAIDS, is expected to attract thousands of people throughout the Philadelphia area. Approximately 150 restaurants have agreed to donate a portion of the day's food bills to benefit local AIDS service groups. "Health Status and Function with Zidovudine or Zalcitabine as Initial Therapy for AIDS" Journal of the American Medical Association (01/25/95) Vol. 273, No. 4, P. 295; Bozzette, Samuel A.; Kanouse, David E.; Berry, Sandra et al. Bozzette et al. conducted a study to evaluate the functional and health status implications of prescribing zalcitabine or zidovudine for initial AIDS therapy. The participants in the Roche 3300/ACTG 114 Study Group were HIV-positive, had less than 200 CD4 cells, and either a history or Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia or symptoms of HIV infection. Those in the substudy received either 0.75 mg of zalcitabine every eight hours plus inactive capsules identical in appearance to zidovudine, or 200 mg of zidovudine every four hours plus inactive tablets that resembled zalcitabine. The patients who received zalcitabine were twice as likely to undergo an invasive procedure or be admitted to the hospital. They also reported more than 40 percent more symptoms that interfered with activity, more than 50 percent more disability days, a 7 percent lower employment rate, and a 35 percent lower monthly income. Bozzette et al. concluded that zidovudine has significant advantages over zalcitabine in initial monotherapy of AIDS in terms of functional outcomes, including symptom impact, disability, and work. The information available from a clinical trial can be greatly improved by the inclusion of functional outcomes. "HIV, Cancer, and Male Pap Smears" Advocate (02/07/95) No. 674, P. 44; Cohan, Gary R. In a breakthrough study of anal cancer in HIV-infected men, Dr. Joel Palefsky of the University of California at San Francisco, found that men who had a history of receptive anal intercourse were significantly more likely to develop anal cancer than men who did not. The risk of anal cancer in men with AIDS was at least 40 times more than that of the general population. There was a 68 percent increase in the incidence of anal cancer among all men in the population from 1973 to 1989. Human papilloma virus--a very common wart virus--has been strongly implicated as the necessary factor for anal cancer development. HIV-related immune suppression appears to incrementally magnify the risk. Some experts suggest that all men--both HIV-positive and HIV-negative--with a history of receptive anal intercourse or anal warts should be regularly screened for anal cancer or precancerous lesions. If performed early enough and properly, the anal Papanicolaou (Pap) smear may be able to prevent cancer.