Subject: CDC NCHSTP Daily News Update Date: Fri Feb 20 07:31:04 PST 1998 (169 lines) From: National AIDS Info Clearinghouse Copyright 1998, Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD CDC NCHSTP Daily News Update February 20, 1998 The CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention provides the following information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis does not constitute CDC endorsement. This daily update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets, press releases and announcements. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC NCHSTP Daily News Update should be cited as the source of the information. Copyright 1998, Information Inc., Bethesda, MD. HEADLINES --------- GENERAL MEDIA "Bisexual Transmission Significant in Heterosexual HIV-1 Infection" "Ritonavir Effective in Treating HIV Patients, Study Finds" "Lumbar Drainage Improves HIV-Related Cryptococcal Meningitis Mortality" "Black Churches Organize to Battle AIDS" "Across the USA: Tennessee" "Genzyme and Progenics Collaborate on Transgenic AIDS Drug Production" "Federal Fund for HIV-Positive Hemophiliacs Proposed" **************************************************************** GENERAL MEDIA **************************************************************** "Bisexual Transmission Significant in Heterosexual HIV-1 Infection" Reuters Health Information Services (02/19/98) Drs. Thomas Lehner and Mary Ann Chiasson at the New York City Department of Public Health report in the February 1st issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology that HIV-1 transmission from bisexual men to female sex partners may be an underrecognized route of heterosexual HIV transmission. The researchers studied 3,069 men--415 of whom reported having sex with men, although only 13 percent of those were classified as homosexual--in a cross-sectional HIV-1 serosurvey at a New York sexually transmitted disease clinic between 1988 and 1993. At 70 percent HIV-1 seroprevalence was highest among homosexual men. However, the rate was 35 percent among bisexual men, who also reported infrequent condom use and multiple female and male sex partners. Lehner and Chiasson concluded that HIV transmission from bisexual men in Hispanic and African-American communities to their female sex partners plays a larger role in heterosexual transmission than was previously thought. Lehner and Chiasson also emphasized the need for HIV risk-reduction counseling programs that reflect the diversity of these men and their partners. "Ritonavir Effective in Treating HIV Patients, Study Finds" Nando Times Online (02/19/98) Patients with severe HIV infection can prevent AIDS progression using ritonavir therapy, according to Canadian and American scientists. Dr. William Cameron of Ottawa General Hospital, Canada, and colleagues report in The Lancet that combination drug treatment with ritonavir is safe, reduces the risk of AIDS-related complications, and extends survival time. The study examined more than 1,000 HIV-positive patients in Australia, Europe, and North America who received ritonavir or a placebo in addition to their existing therapy of dual nucleoside drugs. The results show that 21.9 percent of the patients receiving ritonavir died or developed AIDS in the year-long trial, compared to almost 38 percent of the placebo group. "Lumbar Drainage Improves HIV-Related Cryptococcal Meningitis Mortality" Reuters Health Information Services (02/19/98) In the February 1st issue of the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes and Human Retrovirology, researchers report that lumbar peritoneal shunts that help drain spinal fluid allow the successful alleviation of elevated intracranial pressure in HIV patients with cryptococcal meningitis. Dr. Richard D. Fessler of Wayne State University School of Medicine and colleagues placed lumbar drains in 10 patients. Eight of the patients had high intracranial pressure, so their drains were converted to shunts. After a median follow-up of 11.8 months, Fessler reports that all of the patients remained alive with premorbid levels of consciousness. The researchers concluded that aggressively lowering the intracranial pressure of patients co-infected with HIV and cryptococcal meningitis directly correlates with morbidity and mortality. "Black Churches Organize to Battle AIDS" Fort Worth Star-Telegram Online (02/19/98); Morphew, Clark In response to statistics showing a high prevalence of HIV infection in the African-American community, African-American churches are mobilizing to fight the epidemic. Balm in Gilead, a national organization designed to increase AIDS awareness in within the African-American community, reports that nearly 100 African Americans are diagnosed with AIDS every day. The organization, which is supported by the seven largest African-American denominations and has a total membership of 24 million, is trying to enlist thousands of African-American churches for the seventh annual Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS to be held March 1-7. According to Pernessa Seele, founder and CEO of the organization, many African-American churches have been reluctant to address the AIDS epidemic, "allowing stigma, ignorance and silence to prevail." "Across the USA: Tennessee" USA Today (02/20/98) P. 8A Due to the increasing rate of HIV infection among prisoners, Tennessee Representative John DeBerry has suggested that all state prison inmates be tested for HIV before they are released into the general population. Prisoners would pay $5 for the HIV test. "Genzyme and Progenics Collaborate on Transgenic AIDS Drug Production" Reuters Health Information Services (02/19/98) In a joint program, Genzyme Transgenics Corp. and Progenics Pharmaceuticals are set to produce PRO 542 for the treatment of HIV. The drug binds to and detaches the gp120 glycoprotein found on the HIV envelope, preventing the virus from attaching to and infecting host cells. Preliminary results also show that PRO 542 does not cause the side effects associated with current antiretroviral treatments. The AIDS Clinical Trials Group is currently sponsoring a phase I/II trial of the drug with HIV-infected children at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, and other locations. "Federal Fund for HIV-Positive Hemophiliacs Proposed" American Medical News (02/16/98) Vol. 41, No. 7, P. 18; Stapleton, Stephanie Legislation has been introduced to Congress that would create a $750 million fund to make one-time compassionate payments of $125,000 to hemophiliacs who were infected with HIV as a result of tainted blood clotting factor. The Ricky Ray Hemophilia Relief Fund Act--named after a hemophiliac Florida youth who died of AIDS--was unanimously approved by the House Judiciary Committee in October 1997. Advocates argue that the federal government has a duty to recognize fault for the infections because hemophiliacs have had trouble proving culpability in individual lawsuits. "Blood shield" laws in 47 states make it difficult to prove liability claims against blood product manufacturers. People who become infected with HIV through tainted blood transfusions have a much easier time proving liability because sources can be traced, but hemophiliacs--who are exposed to thousands of donors each time clotting factor is injected--cannot track sources. However, some activists are concerned that the fund money would be better invested in the research, prevention, and treatment of HIV. ***************************************************************** The AIDSNews Mailing List is maintained by the CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention. Regular postings include the CDC NCHSTP Daily News Update, conference announcements, clinical trials information, current funding opportunities, and selected MMWR articles. To SUBSCRIBE, send the command "subscribe aidsnews firstname lastname" to the address listproc@aspensys.com. 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