2000

Most HIV-Positive Thai Women Infected by Husband: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (12/28/00); A new report in the December issue of the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes (2000;25:353-359) indicates that the majority of HIV-positive women in northern Thailand likely contracted the virus from their spouses. The researchers, led by Dr. Fujie Xu of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
HIV-Related Oral Lesions Are Less Common With Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (12/28/00); Researchers at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico discovered that highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) that includes a protease inhibitor can reduce the occurrence of HIV-associated oral lesions by 30 percent. The researchers studied the prevalence of oral lesions in 154 AIDS patients in Malaga,
Progreso Revives AIDS Education Program: Providence Journal-Bulletin (www.projo.com) (12/28/00) P. 6C; Pina, Tatiana; In Rhode Island, the state Health Department will train 15 people to teach members of the Hispanic community about HIV and AIDS. The Progreso Latino health angels will visit schools, homes, community centers and the streets to discuss how HIV is spread and how it can be prevented. The program s activity had fallen slig
Wife Sues Husband Because of STD: Akron Beacon Journal Online (www.ohio.com/bj)k (12/29/00); Dyer, Stephen; A 23-year-old Ohio woman is suing her husband, claiming he knowingly gave her a sexually transmitted disease. The woman- -who is currently divorcing her husband--alleges that her husband contracted human papilloma virus (HPV) from another woman and then intentionally, willfully, and/or with wanton disregard for (her) s
Vancouver Mulls Safe Drug Sites: Christian Science Monitor (www.csmonitor.com) (12/28/00) P. 4; Walker, Ruth; Drug addicts in Vancouver may soon have a walk-in safe injection site, a controversial method used in several European cities to reduce heroin and cocaine overdoses. Vancouver has the highest number of drug overdose deaths in all of Canada , with an average of 147 annually since 1993. Dean Wilson, the chairman of the H
Feds to Toughen Medical Checks [in Canada]: Toronto Sun Online (www.canoe.ca/TorontoSun/home.html) (12/29/00); Godfrey, Tom; Canadian officials announced that, starting next fall, immigrants to the country will undergo more stringent medical exams, including tests for hepatitis B and HIV. Immigrants who test positive will not be allowed entry. Officials are also introducing tougher medical exam policies for individuals visiting
Immigrant Who Carried Dangerous TB to Canada Sues Federal Government: Ottawa Citizen (www.ottawacitizen.com) (12/29/00) P. A5; A class-action lawsuit has been filed against the Canadian government by Dominican Republic immigrant Gaspare Benjamin for mistakenly allowing him to enter Canada with a deadly strain of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB). Also joining the C$500 million suit are Benjamin s wife, Hilary Lomas, a
The Limits of $100 Million: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (12/29/00) P. A1; Brubaker, Bill; Early last year, Bristol-Myers Squibb Chairman Charles A. Heimbold Jr. announced a five-year, $100 million AIDS initiative in Africa. Since that time, the Secure the Future project--described by Heimbold as the largest such corporate effort in history --has pledged about $44 million to 33 programs in southern Africa.
Hepatitis B Vaccination and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Rates in Boys and Girls: Journal of the American Medical Association (www.jama.com) (12/20/00) Vol. 284, No. 23, P. 3040; Chang, Mei-Hwei; Shau, Wen-Yi; Chen, Chien-Jen; et al.; Researchers from the Taiwan Childhood Hepatoma Study Group recently released the results of a vaccination program, started in 1984, in which the hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine was given to the unborn infants of mothers infected with the hepatitis B e antigen. The tests were based on the premise that hepatocellular ca
Kyrgyz Mull Amnesty for Half of Prison Population: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (12/26/00); A new law in Kyrgyzstan offers amnesty to nearly 50 percent of the prisoners in the country. According to human rights activist Tursunbai Bakir-uulu, amnesty will be available to individuals convicted of petty crimes who received sentences of five years or less. The first group to receive the amnesty will include those
Mali: AIDS Awareness Leaflet Launched in Sikasso: PANA Wire Service (www.africanews.org/PANA) (12/27/00); An AIDS education leaflet was introduced to regional authorities and members of nongovernmental organizations in Sikasso, Mali , this week. The leaflet was designed by the Malian ministry for women s promotion, children, and family affairs with the help of the Church of Norway to increase AIDS aw
Female Condoms to Launch in China: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (12/28/00); Starting next year, Western-made female condoms will be available in China , where at least 500,000 people are infected with HIV. A report in the Shanghai Daily indicated that the Female Health Company of Chicago has registered its Femidom female condom in China, and is working with a local firm to market the condom on
'An Even Graver Threat to Public' Than AIDS; Many Unaware They Carry Hepatitis C: Memphis Commercial Appeal (12/27/00) P. A14; Millions of Americans have hepatitis C, although most are unaware of their infection. The bloodborne virus, which slowly attacks the liver, will take the lives of an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 Americans this year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention s 2000 budget for hepatitis C programs was $12.9 million, in
HIV on the Rise, UN Says Sex, Drugs Blamed: Toronto Sun (www.canoe.ca/torontosun) (12/27/00) P. 66; Lem, Sharon; The recent report from the United Nations warns that prostitution and drug use are the primary reasons for the spread of HIV in previously unaffected communities in eastern Europe and Africa. The report estimates that there were 3.8 million new infections in sub-Saharan Africa in 1999, bringing the total for the entire
State to Get More Funds to Urge Teen Abstinence: Oklahoman Online (www.oklahoman.com) (12/28/00); Greiner, John; Oklahoma will receive more federal funding for its educational programs designed to teach teenagers the virtues of sexual abstinence, according to U.S. Rep. Ernest Istook (R-Okla.) and state health officials. President Clinton signed a bill last week that will increase the amount of funding for states to use in this ty
Sex Education With Just One Lesson: No Sex: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (12/28/00) P. A1; Schemo, Diana Jean; Across the United States , the number of groups that are encouraging abstinence until marriage has grown since an amendment to the Welfare Reform Act of 1996 increased federal funding for promoting chastity. Until that time, such funding totaled $60 million since 1981; however, the new measure allocated $250 million ov
A Turning Point That Left Millions Behind: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (12/28/00) P. A1;; Gellman, Barton; In late March, Merck Chairman and CEO Raymond V. Gilmartin told World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Gro Harlem Brundtland that five large drug firms had agreed in principle to provide deep discounts on their AIDS drugs to people in poor countries. Gilmartin asked Brundtland if she wanted to sponsor the ini
Vaccine Centers Unite Specialists in the Battle Against Infectious Diseases: Nature (www.nature.com) (12/07/00) Vol. 408, No. 6813, P. 753; Gershorn, Diana; In response to President Clinton s 1997 challenge to scientists that an AIDS vaccine be developed within 10 years, the Dale and Betty Bumpers Vaccine Research Center at the National Institutes of Health, located in Bethesda, Maryland, will open in spring 2001. Costing between $35 and $40 million to construct, the cente
Zambia's Kaunda Urges Politicians to take AIDS Tests: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (12/22/00); In an effort to raise awareness and reassure the public about the health and well being of their leaders, African politicians with intentions of seeking office are being strongly urged to take voluntary HIV tests. The call came from former Zambian ruler Kenneth Kaunda, who has become a strong advocate in the fight agai
Bangladesh to Launch $52 Million Anti-AIDS Project: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (12/23/00); Bangledesh, with the assistance of the World Bank, plans to deploy a $52 million program to battle HIV, according to a report in the Daily Star newspaper. The four-year program is an attempt to stop the increase of HIV before it reaches epidemic proportions in the region and destroys any hope of further economic develo
Most Untreated African HIV Children Will Die by Age 3: Reuters Health Information Services (12/26/00); An 18-month study recently conducted in Malawi concluded that nearly 90 percent of African children infected with HIV do not survive beyond their third birthday. Researchers from the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore found that 89 percent of the 190 HIV-infected children who were alive at six months of age died by
Intensive Effort Helps Contain Thai HIV Spread: Reuters Health Information Services (12/26/00); In a study published in the December 1 issue of AIDS (2000;14:2731-2740), researchers report that aggressive measures have helped to control HIV s spread in Thailand s Chiang Rai province. In 1991, the prevalence of HIV infection among female sex workers at brothels in the province was 62 percent, and approximately fou
Experts Say HIV Cases Back on Rise [in Florida Counties]: Sarasota Herald-Tribune (12/26/00) P. B1; Bahnsen, Bebe; Estimates from the Florida Department of Health indicate that nearly 1,000 people in Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte counties have HIV or AIDS. For the 12 months ending October 31, 2000, the counties recorded 130 new HIV infections, up 28 from the same period in 1999. Manatee County saw the greatest increase, with 66
Prisons Release Record Numbers of Ex-Convicts: Communities Are Scrambling to Set Up 'Re-Entry' Programs: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (12/27/00) P. 1A; Locy, Toni; Throughout the United States , individuals arrested during the anti-crime crackdown of the past two decades are now returning home. Statistics show that 585,000 felons will be released from state and federal prisons in 2000, a figure approximately three times the number released in 1980. As a result, communities are r
An Unequal Calculus of Life and Death: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (12/27/00) P. A1; Gellman, Barton; The advent of antiretroviral drugs in the United States and other wealthy nations has helped to extend many HIV patients lives, but very few people benefit from the treatments in Africa. While an estimated 25 million Africans are infected with HIV, only about one-tenth of 1 percent receive antiretroviral therapy. This
Surveillance and Privacy: Science (12/08/00) Vol. 290, No. 5498, P. 1898; Bayer, Ronald; Fairchild, Amy L.; Today s public health officials are facing ethics battles over whether they are stepping out of bounds in maintaining a watchful eye over what many consider private health matters. The controversy surrounding the issues stems from the policy of name-based reporting methods and whether it infringes on privacy rights. Th
Far-Reaching Public Health Law Signed: American Medical News (12/11/00) Vol. 43, No. 42, P. 5; Aston, Geri; A broad new public health bill plans to target $919 million to combat drug-resistant pathogens and bioterrorism, spur clinical research and other initiatives, and construct state of the art research facilities. The new legislature comes as awareness increases of approximately 14,000 in-hospital deaths related to drug-r
Africa Wars Hamper AIDS Struggle--Zambia's Kaunda: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (12/21/00); Esipisu, Manoah; Inspired by his son s death in 1986 from AIDS, former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda has been outspoken regarding the effects of war on the struggle against HIV in the African nations. He believes that the poverty and destruction of family structures brought about by war are a major block to stopping the spread of th
Kenya: Anti-Aids Campaign Now Focuses on Men: Africa News Service (12/21/00); Ngunjiri, Pauline; In an effort to raise awareness about how men s health plays a vital role in the struggle against the spread of HIV, UNAIDS and other health agencies are now focusing on men, notes Pauline Ngunjiri of the Society of Women and AIDS in Kenya . Ngunjiri writes that, in general, men are less likely than women to be conscio
Drug Company Receives Grant of $100,000 to Help Fight AIDS: Bergen Record (www.bergen.com) (12/20/00) P. B3; The National Institutes of Health has given PTC Therapeutics a $100,000 Small Business Innovation Research Grant to develop AIDS drugs. The company is working to create drugs that keep HIV from reproducing and spreading in the body of an individual who has contracted the virus.
HIV Prevention Funded [in Baton Rouge]: Baton Rouge Advocate (www.theadvocate.com) (12/21/00) P. 16A; Louisiana s Office of Public Health has awarded a three-year HIV prevention contract to the Baton Rouge AIDS Society. Under the agreement, the organization will receive $75,000 annually to provide HIV testing and counseling, condoms, and outreach efforts. Cities that will benefit from the contract include Baton Rouge,
Health Tips: Dieticians Urge Nutrition Care for People With HIV: United Press International (www.upi.com) (12/21/00); Macready, Norra; A position paper released by the American Dietetic Association (ADA) and Dieticians of Canada states that efforts to improve nutrition should be part of overall health care provided to HIV-infected individuals. Specifically, the groups recommended medical nutrition therapy and nutrition counseling. In addition, ADA sp
Toronto School on TB Alert: Toronto Sun (www.canoe.ca/torontosun) (12/21/00) P. 1; Lem, Sharon; In Toronto, 1,150 students have been warned that they may have been exposed to tuberculosis (TB). The warning letter to North Albion Collegiate Institute students follows the diagnosis of a 17-year-old grade 12 student with TB; the individual has not attended classes for nearly two months, and tests last week confirmed
State Stops Giving Schools in Valley TB Testing Gear; Plan Is to Refer Recent Immigrants to Health Offices: San Antonio Express-News (12/21/00) P. 1A; Gregor, Alison; In response to a decline in the number of Rio Grande Valley students testing positive for tuberculosis (TB), Texas health officials have decided to discontinue supplying TB testing materials to area schools. Officials from the Texas Department of Health have assured the area residents that they will continue to test an
Tuberculosis Gains Ground in County Health Watch: Seattle Post-Intelligencer Online (12/21/00); Kelly, Christina; The number of tuberculosis (TB) cases in King County, Washington, has increased this year. A total of 117 cases were recorded through November, compared to 104 for all of 1999. County officials note that 70 percent of the TB cases in the region are among foreign-born individuals; nationwide, about 40 percent of all TB
Life by Luck of the Draw: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (12/22/00) P. A1; Flaherty, Mary Pat; Struck, Doug; The AIDS epidemic has brought ethical issues to the forefront, as researchers from wealthy nations conduct research in partnership with countries in the developing world and experts question what nation s guidelines should apply. One of the controversial issues is whether researchers should provide the best available t
Chinese Measures to Slow HIV Spread Appear Ineffective: Reuters Health Information Services (12/20/00); Mulley, Sue; A new report suggests that despite China s efforts to end them, prostitution and drug abuse are the primary modes of HIV transmission in the country. According to Dr. Ai-xia Wang of Peking Union Medical College Hospital in Beijing, who presented her findings at the Seventh Western Pacific Conference on Chemotherapy and
Trials of Kenya AIDS Vaccine to Start Next Year: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (12/21/00); Russell, Rosalind; Kenya s public health minister, Sam Ongeri, announced on Wednesday, that the testing of a new HIV vaccine will be launched in early 2001, targeting the A strain of the virus. The vaccine was developed after studies showed that some Majengo-area prostitutes were not infected with the virus despite repeated exposure. The
AIDS Activists Win Mandela Award: Reuters Health Information Services (12/20/00); The Nelson Mandela Award for Health and Human Rights, an annual award established in 1993 by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, has been given to two South African AIDS activists. According to the foundation, the recipients of this year s award are Dr. Hoosen Coovadia, the head of the department of pediatrics at Na
New Turner U.N. Grants Target AIDS, Energy Needs: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (www.ajc.com) (12/21/00) P. 3A; Ahmed, Saeed; Ted Turner s United Nations Foundation announced on Wednesday that, as part of its latest round of grants, it will invest $12 million in HIV prevention projects in eight southern African nations. Turner, an Atlanta businessman, has personally pledged $1 billion of his own funds over a 10-year period to the United Natio
Ventura County News: Supervisors OK Needle Exchange Program: Los Angeles Times (www.latimes.com) (12/20/00) P. B1; Kelly, David; Declaring a medical emergency, health officials in Ventura County, California, voted Tuesday to launch a needle exchange program in an effort to stop the spread of HIV and hepatitis. Dr. Robert Levin, medical director of the county Public Health Department, noted that approximately 50 percent of the injection drug user
AIDS Group Protests Drugmaker: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (12/21/00) P. A16; Bristol-Myers Squibb s employee Christmas party was disrupted on Wednesday afternoon by a group of AIDS activists. The protestors shouted accusations that the firm was involved in price-gouging practices for its new AIDS drug Videx . The demonstrators, organized by the New York chapter of ACT UP, were able to enter the
Technician Infects 5 With Virus: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (12/21/00) P. A13; A new report in the New England Journal of Medicine reveals that a medical technician with a cut on his finger inadvertently infected five hospital patients with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). German researchers note that this is the first documented case of HCV being transmitted by medical personnel who are not doctors;
Judge Upholds Ruling That Hepatitis Is a Work-Related Injury: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (12/21/00) P. A2; Philadelphia must increase its funding for firefighters and paramedics who contract the hepatitis C virus (HCV) while working, a judge ruled Wednesday. The judge upheld an arbitrator s decision that Philadelphia must provide $4.8 million over two years to these workers health plans, an increase from the $3 million annu
Eliminating Global Health Disparities: Journal of the American Medical Association (12/13/00) Vol. 284, No. 22, P. 2864; Satcher, David; In a commentary in the Journal of the American Medical Association , Assistant Secretary of Health and Surgeon General of the United States David Satcher states that he is focusing on wiping out the disproportionate health care issues not only in the United States, but also at a global level. Satcher notes that 90 per
Clinical Trials of First AIDS Vaccine to Begin in Kenya: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (12/19/00); On Tuesday, sources said that Kenyan authorities will soon announce that they will approve clinical trials for a new AIDS vaccine. The new vaccine was developed collaboratively by British and Kenyan scientists and is designed to primarily target HIV subtype A, which is common in eastern Africa. Researchers noted that t
Cases of AIDS Rising in EBR: Baton Rouge Advocate (www.theadvocate.com) (12/19/00); The number of HIV infections in East Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is increasing, especially among African Americans in the region. According to Ric Smith, executive director of Friends for Life, an area AIDS resource center, there are approximately 3,300 cases in the seven-parish area and the number of new cases has jumped
In Brief: Bioqual: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (12/20/00) P. E5; The National Cancer Institute has renewed a contract with Bioqual of Rockville, Maryland, for AIDS research. Under the $4.6 million, five-year agreement, Bioqual will support AIDS researchers, providing research animals and helping the scientists evaluate possible HIV and SIV vaccines.
Health Tips: AIDS Afflicts the Elderly: United Press International (www.upi.com) (12/20/00); Macready, Norra; While the number of AIDS cases in younger people is reportedly declining, experts at the Administration on Aging (AOA) say that 11 percent of all AIDS cases reported in the United States are in people 50 years of age or older. As better treatments are developed for AIDS, baby boomers with the disease are living longer,
Gays 'Rebelling Against Safe Sex Message': PA News (www.pressassociation.press.net) (12/19/00); Von Radowitz, John; Researchers are now saying that promotions of safe sex targeting the gay community may be causing a backlash in unsafe sexual behavior. One explanation for this reaction may involve simple rebellion to authority, the researchers said Tuesday. Dr. Michele Crossley, a University of Manchester researcher who presented her
Sex Exhibit Shows China Lifting Veil on Old Taboo: Boston Globe (www.boston.com/globe) (12/19/00); Lakshamanan, Indira A.R.; Outspoken author and Shanghai sexologist, Liu Dalin, has opened the door to the traditionally hidden sexual lives of the Chinese people. Indeed, Liu was invited last month to open a sex museum in Shanghai, and he now displays over 1,000 pieces of sexual memorabilia. On the streets of today s China , shops spe
UN Report Calls for Commitment to Fight Epidemics: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (12/19/00); Richwine, Lisa; A new United Nations report concludes that small successes in fighting diseases in developing nations demonstrate that large epidemics can be controlled with the strong financial and political support of public and private organizations. According to officials from five U.N. agencies and the World Bank, it appears like
Miscellaneous Note: "An Isolated Region's Genetic Mother Lode": Washington Post (12/20/00) P. A1;; Pomfret, John; Nelson, Deborah; During the 1990s, researchers from Harvard University and its corporate sponsor, Millennium Pharmaceuticals, asked hundreds of residents of China s impoverished, rural Anhui province to give blood in exchange for free medical care. A pamphlet explaining the deal to participants--many of whom could not read--said that t
Child Prostitution and the Spread of AIDS: Lancet (12/09/00) Vol. 356, No. 9246, P. 1991; Kandela, Peter; There are at least 13 million children in Morocco , most of whom must make a living any way they can to help support their families, including prostitution. The threat of HIV is ever present for the street children of Morocco. But the actual number of reported HIV/AIDS cases (809) is low in comparison to the Health Min
Hawaiian Plant Could Fight TB: BBC News Online (www.bbc.co.uk) (12/18/00); Duce, John; Researchers say that a Hawaiian plant may be useful in fighting tuberculosis (TB), which takes the lives of about 2 million people each year. The researchers, led by Jonel Saludes, who was formerly based at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, studied the Noni plant, also known as Morinda citrofolia. The plant, alr
Amazing But True: Man's Bug Bites Elephants: Washington Post--Health (12/19/00) P. 6; Pellegrini, Neena; Researchers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently diagnosed five strains of human tuberculosis (TB) in eight Asian elephant herds across the country. It is suspected that the elephants may have been exposed to the disease by human contact either in their native countries or infected zoo handlers here in Nort
Teen Births in Illinois Hit 40-Year Low in '99: Chicago Sun-Times Online (www.suntimes.com) (12/15/00); McKinney, Dave; New statistics show that the percentage of teenage births in Illinois dropped to a 40-year low in 1999, the fifth consecutive year of decline. In 1999, girls 19 and younger delivered more than 21,800 babies, representing 12 percent of all births in the state. Experts from the Illinois Department of Public Health attrib
Speaking Out to Make AIDS an Issue of Color: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (12/19/00) P. D7; Villarosa, Linda; In an interview with the New York Times, Phill Wilson, the executive director of the African American AIDS Policy and Training Institute at the University of Southern California, discusses AIDS in the African-American community. Wilson notes, Let s be clear, when you hear about women and AIDS or babies with AIDS or now
Clinton and Europeans Fail to Resolve Trade Issues: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (12/19/00) P. A12; Kahn, Joseph; Despite the lack of progress on international trade issues, President Clinton and European leaders did manage to agree on world measures related to infectious diseases. The parties announced that concerted measures would be taken to try to ensure the production affordable drugs to fight AIDS, malaria, and other infecti
Embattled Law Puts Syringes on Shelves: Albany Times-Union Online (www.timesunion.com) (12/19/00); Swearingen, Jacquelyn; Starting January 1, injection drug users in New York will be allowed to purchase syringes without a prescription. Previously, new syringes were only available with a prescription, which made them expensive on the black market and resulted in needle sharing among addicts. The new law is a public health effort intended t
Survey Shows Sex Practices of Boys: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (12/19/00) P. A18; Lewin, Tamar; An article published in the current issue of Family Planning Perspectives discusses facts found regarding the promiscuity of adolescent males and the risk factors for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The national survey reveals the statistics related to the types of sexual activities being pursued by teenaged boys
The Dilemma: Submit or Suffer--'Uninformed Consent' Is Rising Ethic of the Drug Test Boom: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (12/19/00) P. A1; LaFraniere, Sharon; Flaherty, Mary Pat; Stephens, Joe; Experts are concerned that some principles behind informed consent, rules that prohibit coercion and deception in human drug testing, may be violated as pharmaceutical firms recruit thousands of subjects at a time from distant nations, including those in Eastern Europe, the former Soviet bloc, Africa, and
Travel Risk of HBV: Journal of the American Medical Association (12/13/00) Vol. 284, No. 22, P. 2863; Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a particular threat to unaware international travelers. A new study done by researchers at the University of Zurich Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine found that almost 75 percent of the 9,000 survey participants exhibited risk factors for contracting HBV. However, only about half kn
Influenza Vaccination Does Not Accelerate HIV Infection: Reuters Health Information Services (12/15/00); Records from the Adult and Adolescent Spectrum of HIV Disease Surveillance Project, reviewed by Dr. Patrick S. Sullivan and other investigators with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, showed that there is a slight decrease in the progression to AIDS-defining opportunistic disease among patients who were va
Bush Era Heralds Marginalisation for Africa: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (12/18/00); Denyer, Simon; Analysts say that the presidency of George W. Bush will probably leave Africa marginalized by the United States more than its current status due to an administration that will have little interest in the continent. There are two African- Americans in key roles in the upcoming administration, but neither is expected to
County to Consider Offering Needle Exchange Program: Los Angeles Times (www.latimes.com) (12/18/00) P. B1; Surman, Matt; The Ventura County (Calif.) Public Health Department is recommending a needle exchange program to slow hepatitis and HIV infection rates. Public Health Officer Robert Levin will ask the Board of Supervisors to declare a county emergency, and members of a county coalition of law enforcement agencies say they will not fi
Natural Protein May Defend From HIV, Study Finds: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (12/15/00); Researchers at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center say that a natural body protein usually associated with cystic fibrosis could be used to fight AIDS because it appears to prevent the AIDS virus from infecting cells. Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) works in several ways against the virus, including blocking th
Brazil Tackles HIV Head-On by Providing Free Medicine: Houston Chronicle (www.chron.com) (12/17/00) P. A28; Downie, Andrew; The best way to delay the onset of AIDS in HIV-positive people is to use a mix of antiretroviral drugs, but the cocktail required can be impossibly expensive, particularly for those who live in developing nations. The Brazilian government, however, authorized state laboratories to make generic copies of seven of the 12
Testing Tidal Wave Hits Overseas: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (12/18/00) P. A1; Flaherty, Mary Pat; Nelson, Deborah; Stephens, Joe; As the pharmaceutical industry and individual drugs companies become more international, groups are discovering that moving their testing programs overseas to less restrictive nations is a better option than performing trials in the United States , where regulators prevent studies of dangerous and questionable medicine
Plasma Viral Load in HIV-1 and HIV-1 Singly and Dually Infected Individuals in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa: Archives of Internal Medicine Online (11/27/00) Vol. 160, No. 21,; Andersson, Soren; Norrgren, Hans; Da Silva, Zacarias; et al.; Investigators compared plasma HIV RNA load between patients infected with HIV-1 and HIV-2 in Guinea Bissau, which has a high prevalence and incidence of infection with the two viruses. The study involved 102 individuals, including 19 HIV-1 and 29 HIV-2 seroincident cases tested at a median of less than two years after
Increased Ciprofloxacin Resistance in Gonococci Isolated in Scotland: Lancet (12/09/00) Vol. 356, No. 9246, P. 1984; Forsyth, Aileen; Moyes, Alex; Young, Hugh; There is evidence in Scotland of a strain of Neisseria gonorrhoeae resistant to the standard antibiotic, ciprofloxacin. Researchers report that between 1991 and 1999, the proportion of isolates with lowered susceptibility rose from 0.5 percent to 5 percent, while the proportion of isolates with clinical resistance was
Spontaneous Regression of CIN and Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity to HPV-16 Oncoprotein E7: Lancet (12/09/00) Vol. 356, No. 9246, P. 1985; Hopfl, Reinhard; Heim, Kurt; Christensen, Neil; et al.; New research from suggests that routine skin tests may reduce the number of interventions needed during treatment for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Scientists investigated delayed-type hypersensitivity to human HPV using skin tests with HPV-16 E7 oncoprotein peptides on women currently undergoing treatment for
State Duma Adopts Draft Law on Tuberculosis Prevention: Itar Wire Service (www.itar-tass.com) (12/14/00); Novikov, Ivan; Varshavskaya, Anna; Russia s lower house of parliament adopted this week a draft measure for tuberculosis (TB) prevention. The draft law includes regular checkups for people, keeping sick people out of work so they do not infect others there, and regular medical control by special health centers. One study of Russia s TB rate indicated th
Lisbon Moves to Recapture Heroin Haven: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (12/15/00) P. A56; Pereira, Cristiana; Casal Ventoso, a drug-ridden slum in Portugal s capital of Lisbon, is slowly being cleaned up. Already, the government is destroying the shacks and tents where people lived, replacing them with new houses. One physician who works at a shelter for homeless addicts from Casal Ventoso has described the slum as the most po
Extended TB Screening 'Crucial' [for Britain]: BBC News Online (news.bbc.co.uk) (12/15/00); The British Thoracic Society (BTS) said this week that tuberculosis (TB) screening programs need to be energized through extra funding and personnel. Research presented at the group s winter conference indicates that the TB rate among asylum seekers in the United Kingdom is 22 percent higher than the U.K. average. Inve
Sexually Transmitted Diseases Reach 10-Year High [in UK]: PA News (www.pressassociation.press.net) (12/15/00); Frith, Maxine; New statistics show that the number of cases of sexually transmitted diseases in the United Kingdom is the highest it has been in a decade. According to the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS), cases of genital chlamydia skyrocketed 76 percent between 1995 and 1999, while cases of gonorrhea increased by 55 percent,
Talk of the Birds, Bees and STDs May Curb Risky Sex: Reuters Health Information Services (12/14/00); Huggins, Charnicia E.; New research presented at the recent meeting of the American Public Health Association indicates that frequent discussions between parents and children about sex-related issues could keep African-American female teenagers from participating in dangerous sexual activities. Researchers, led by Dr. Richard Crosby of Emory
Six Have Tested Positive for TB; 250 Screened So Far at St. Francis: Charleston Gazette (www.wvgazette.com) (12/14/00) P. 3A; Leonard, Martha; Health officials in West Virginia report that of the 250 people screened for tuberculosis (TB) at St. Francis Hospital, six people have tested positive. We ve screened over half the number of those who may have had the highest risk of exposure, said Jeanne Reeves, chief nursing officer. We re continuing to schedule tes
UNICEF: 1.3 Million Children Live With HIV/AIDS: Reuters Health Information Services (12/14/00); UNICEF reported Wednesday that included among the 34.3 million people living with HIV or AIDS in the world are 1.3 million children under the age of 15. The organization s annual report noted that most of the children contracted HIV from their mothers during birth or via breastfeeding, and most will die from AIDS befor
Clinton Calls on West to Help Poor Nations Catch Up: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (12/15/00) P. 18A; Hale, Ellen; President Clinton said Wednesday that it is the responsibility of industrialized nations to help other less developed nations to survive and compete in the global economy. Clinton, who was speaking at the University of Warwick in England, asserted that wealthy nations should help supply resources for countries in the d
Indian Human Rights Body Supports Anti-Discrimination Law for HIV Patients: Lancet (12/09/00) Vol. 356, No. 9246, P. 1992; Sharma, Dinesh C.; Private sector companies in India are facing new legislation that would prevent them from discriminating against people with HIV. Under a 1997 ruling from the Mumbai High Court, qualified applicants to state-owned companies cannot be rejected on the basis of their HIV status; however, the legislation offers no protecti
Namibia; Namibian Minister Worried by Impact of AIDS on Education: Africa News Service (www.africanews.org) (12/13/00); A Namibian official, Marlene Mungunda, has expressed concern over the social impact that HIV is having on the education and welfare of children in her state. Namibia, like many other countries in Africa, is facing an epidemic [of] HIV/AIDS, and that has a direct impact on meeting our goals, such as education and reduct
Fate of Romanian Orphan Children Has Improved-UN: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (12/13/00); Although conditions have slightly improved during the last 10 years, Romania s children still face many problems, including anemia, malnutrition, and AIDS. With over 8,000 children with HIV or AIDS, Romania has the highest rate of AIDS among children in Europe. The country has been able to reduce the number of pediatri
World Bank Approves $40 Million for Anti-AIDS Scheme in Bangladesh: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (); The World Bank announced on Thursday that it has approved a $40 million line of credit for an AIDS project in Bangladesh . Britain has dedicated $10 million dollars to the $53 million cause, and the balance of the funding is to come from Bangladesh. In announcing the credit, the bank noted that while the number of HIV
$4.9 Million From Gates Foundation for Blood Safety in the Americas: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (12/14/00); The Pan American Health Organization announced this week that the foundation established by Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates is donating $4.9 million over three years to boost blood safety programs in the Americas. The grant will be used to increase the efficiency of blood-screening labs, develop national quality assuranc
EU Proposes New Blood Safety Standards: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (12/13/00); In Brussels, a plan proposing new restrictions to prevent transfusions of contaminated blood was presented this week by the European Commission, the European Union s (EU s) executive body. Details of the plan announced on Wednesday, would cover the collection, testing, processing, storage and distribution of blood and
Lung Diseases 'Epidemic Will Overstretch NHS,' Warns Expert: PA News (www.pressassociation.press.net) (12/13/00); Von Radowitz, John; A respiratory physician from the Royal Brompton Hospital in London cautioned Wednesday that the United Kingdom s National Health Service (NHS) could be hit by a wave of lung diseases this winter. Professor Duncan Geddes, who will speak at the British Thoracic Society s annual conference this week, called for more speci
One in Four Heroin Injectors Infected With Hepatitis C: Reuters Health Information Services (12/13/00); A new report in the Journal of Infectious Diseases (2000;182:1588-1594) indicates that approximately 25 percent of Chicago-area injection drug users are infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Researchers found that the risk of contracting the disease is greater the longer and more frequent a person uses injection d
UNICEF Works to Solve Africa Dilemma: Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com) (12/14/00) P. A27; Bellamy, Carol; In a letter to the editor, UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy responds to a December 5 Wall Street Journal article about the organization s position on breastfeeding and using baby formula to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission in Africa. Bellamy notes that World Health Organization statistics show that e
Risk Factors for the Rising Rates of Primary Liver Cancer in the United States: Archives of Internal Medicine Online (11/27/00) Vol. 160, No. 21,; El-Serag, Hashem B.; Mason, Andrew C.; Researchers investigated the risk factors behind the United States growing rate of primary liver cancer associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and alcoholic cirrhosis. Between 1993 and 1998, more than 1,600 patients in the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center s Patient Treatment File were
World Bank Approves $50 Million Anti-AIDS Credit for Kenya: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (12/13/00); A $50 million interest-free credit has been approved by the World Bank to help Kenya boost its healthcare sector and expand its anti-AIDS activities. In a statement, the bank noted that AIDS is a development crisis in Kenya, where the prevalence of HIV infection among 15- to 49-year-olds has risen about 11 percent each
Merck Confidence in AIDS Vaccine Encourages Advocacy Groups: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (12/12/00); Michaud, Chris; Pierson, Ransdell; The research head for Merck, the nation s second-leading drug maker, said Tuesday that he was encouraged by ongoing early- stage human HIV vaccine studies at the company. Dr. Edward Scolnick told Wall Street analysts that Merck s vaccine candidates use specific HIV genes that are common to the virus many strains, stimu
Synthetic Helical Peptides Block HIV Infectivity: Reuters Health Information Services (12/12/00); A recent report in the journal AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses (2000;16:1797-1804) indicates that synthetic helical peptides derived from a part of the HIV glycoprotein gp41 can inhibit HIV infection. Researchers from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology note that the extracellular domain of the glycoprot
Quest, Stanford Find Antiviral Resistant HIV: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (12/12/00); Researchers at Quest Diagnostics and the Stanford University School of Medicine have identified an HIV-1 strain that has reduced susceptibility to reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Quest noted that the discovery of this new mutation will provide doctors with information to better select HIV-1 treatments for their patie
Siberian City Faces Threat of Full-Blown AIDS Epidemic: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (12/12/00); Meyer, Henry; Injection drug use is the primary source of an alarming explosion of HIV cases in Irkutsk, Russia , where the number of HIV infections has soared from 37 to more than 7,500 in the past 23 months. That figure is expected to increase even further before this year is out. Dr. Yulia Rakina, who heads the team of researcher
Insulin May Help AIDS Patient Gain Weight: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (12/12/00); A 47-year-old AIDS patient gained 15 pounds after six months of being treated with insulin injections, according to a new report. Researchers from the University of Arizona College of Medicine and the VA Medical Center in Phoenix found that the man, who had lost 20 pounds and was increasingly fatigued despite the fact
UNICEF: Start Kids Off Right: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (12/13/00) P. 10D; Rayam, Sheila; UNICEF s new State of the World s Children 2001 report highlights the benefits of early investment in children. Carol Bellamy, executive director of the organization, said, We now know a great deal more ... about the critical nature of the very earliest years in terms of intelligence, personality, and social behavior.
Adolescent Hepatitis B Vaccination: Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine Online (11/00) Vol. 154, No. 11,; Lancman, Haydee; Pastore, Doris R.; Steed, Nancy; et al.; Researchers from Mount Sinai Medical School in New York City compared the completion rate of hepatitis B vaccination among students who received primary care at two comprehensive high school-based health centers (SBHCs) and at a hospital-based adolescent health center (AHC). Using a retrospective chart review of patien
Tuberculosis Among Foreign-Born Persons in the United States, 1993-1998: Journal of the American Medical Association (12/13/00) Vol. 284, No. 22, P. 2894; Talbot, Elizabeth A.; Moore, Marisa; McCray, Eugene; et al.; A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that the number of tuberculosis (TB) cases among foreign-born persons in the United States rose 2.6 percent between 1993 and 1998. The proportion of U.S. cases that were foreign-born, meanwhile, increased from about 30 percent to 41.6 percent. The
Older Patients Especially Prone to Depression, Stress: AIDS Alert (11/00) Vol. 15, No. 11, P. 132; The number of men over age 45 with AIDS has doubled since 1995, and approximately one-quarter of the newly infected women are between the ages of 35 and 44. These statistics, as well as the ability of antiretroviral drugs to extend HIV patients lives, lend support the suggestion that the HIV- infected population will i
Nigeria: Obasanjo Ties Successful AIDS Campaign to Debt Cancellation: Africa News Service (www.africanews.org) (12/11/00); Nwezeh, Kingsley; At the recent African Development Forum in Ethiopia , Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo stressed that debt cancellation would help African nations better fight the AIDS epidemic. Africa is groaning under the demands of debt burden and repayment, the president said, pointing out that African countries spend $15 billi
New HIV-1 Intersubtype Recombinants Identified in Myanmar: Reuters Health Information Services (12/11/00); Researchers report in the November 20 issue of AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses (2000;16:1831-1843) that new HIV-1 recombinants identified in Myanmar appear to stem from the HIV-1 subtypes B , E, and C. Scientists from the National Institute of Infectious Diseases in Tokyo studied HIV-1 env and gag subtypes from 25
Extremely High HIV Risk Found Among Refugees in Burma, Thailand: Reuters Health Information Services (12/11/00); Bryant, Meg; A new report from Dr. Luke Mullany of the Johns Hopkins University reveals large gaps in HIV awareness among migrant workers living along the border of Thailand and Burma ( Myanmar ). The survey, which included 233 men and 492 women, found that while more than 80 percent of the respondents could list maj
[St. Louis] Teenagers Teach Facts, Dispell Myths About HIV and AIDS: St. Louis Post-Dispatch (www.stlnet.com) (12/11/00) P. 6; Mueller, Michelle B.; As part of their World AIDS Day events, students from Cleveland Naval ROTC Academy in St. Louis talked about HIV and AIDS with eighth graders from Nottingham Middle School. The Cleveland Naval students--who had been trained with the American Red Cross YouthCorps program--discussed methods of HIV transmission, including
Debate Flares Over Firing of HIV-Infected Hygienist: Reuters Health Information Services (12/11/00); Gale, Karla; Several national organizations, including the American Public Health Association and the Infectious Diseases Society of America, are contesting the dismissal of a dental hygienist in Atlanta on the basis of his HIV infection. The man, Spencer Waddell, filed suit after being fired in 1997, when he informed his employer
[Virginia] Teacher Has TB; Arlington to Test Students: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (12/12/00) P. B2; Wax, Emily; Hundreds of middle and high school students in Arlington, Virginia, are being tested for tuberculosis (TB) after a substitute teacher who worked in the county school system was diagnosed with the disease. In all, students at three area middle schools and three high schools will be tested, likely by the end of January,
Albright, in Botswana, Announces U.S. Help to Fight AIDS: New York Times (12/12/00) P. A3; U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright announced on Monday that the United States will supply Botswana with 200 trailers to be used as HIV counseling centers. The United Nations estimates that more than one-third of the adults in Botswana are infected with HIV, and Health Minister Joy Phumaphi said that 8,700 of
HIV Pretest and Posttest Counseling: Still Missing From Medical School Curriculum: Archives of Internal Medicine Online (11/27/00) Vol. 160, No. 21,; Green, Sonya; Del Rio, Carlos; In an editor s correspondence in the Archives of Internal Medicine, Sonya Green and Carlos del Rio report that most recent medical school graduates have received no training regarding HIV pretest and posttest counseling. In a study supported under a cooperative agreement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevent
Pfizer to Offer Free Anti-AIDS Drug to Zimbabwe: Africa News Service (www.africanews.org) (12/07/00); Pfizer will offer free supplies of fluconazale, which it gave to South Africa , to other countries, such as Zimbabwe . Zimbabwe has one of the greatest AIDS problems in the world with HIV-infected people making up about 20 percent of the adult population.
Uganda: HIV/AIDS War Gets Boost: Africa News Service (www.africanews.org) (12/09/00); A Ugandan official announced Thursday that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has donated over $15 million to the country to help implement population programs that address children and HIV/AIDS. The donation reportedly was in recognition of the Ugandan government s efforts to focus on adolescents and the AIDS epide
Health Community Moves to Protect Fiscal 2001 Funding: Reuters Health Information Services (12/08/00); The Coalition for Health Funding--which represents organizations including the American Lung Association, the American Public Health Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics--is lobbying Congress and the White House to not give up on a controversial funding bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human
Countries Pledge to Reduce Youth HIV Infection Rate by 25 Percent: Kyodo News Service (home.kyodo.co.jp) (12/08/00); Officials from the Group of Eight (G-8) nations and developing countries reportedly have pledged to cut the youth HIV infection rate by 25 percent by 2005. The officials were meeting at the two-day Okinawa International Conference on Infectious Diseases, a follow-up to the G-8 nations meeting in Okinawa in July. Japane
Assertive Girls More Likely to Insist on Condoms: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (12/08/00); Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Emory University in Atlanta recently reported that consistent condom use may rely on how assertive a girl is and how well she can negotiate. To determine the factors associated with consistent condom use, the authors studied more than 500 sexually acti
Europe Alerted to Rise in Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (12/08/00); Woodman, Richard; Participants at a meeting at the Royal Society of Medicine in London heard Friday that increases in cases of gonorrhea, syphilis, and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in Europe could raise the risk of transmitting HIV. Dr. Angus Nicoll, head of the United Kingdom s Communicable Disease Surveillance Center, re
Fed: TB Identified as a Risk of Boxing: Australian Associated Press (aap.com.au) (12/10/00); A new report in the Medical Journal of Australia reveals what appears to be the first case of a prisoner acquiring tuberculosis (TB) from his sparring partner while boxing. In a letter to the journal, Dr. Michael Levy, head of population health at Sydney s Correction Health Service, and Craig Gater, health services man
Albright Takes a Tour of AIDS Clinic: Raleigh News and Observer (www.news-observer.com) (12/09/00) P. A16; As part of her efforts to increase awareness of the AIDS epidemic s toll on Africa, U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright toured a AIDS research clinic in South Africa on Friday. There are an estimated 4.2 million HIV-infected individuals in South Africa.
Gathering Focuses on AIDS Awareness; Black Churches' Support Key, Attendees Say: Houston Chronicle (www.chron.com) (12/10/00) P. A40; Asher, Ed; Participants at an AIDS conference in Houston on Saturday said that prevention awareness is slowly taking hold among African Americans in the city and more religious leaders have joined in the fight against AIDS. Roy Delesbore, a health program specialist with the Texas Department of Health, noted that while some relig
Screening for Chlamydia in Adolescents and Young Women: Arcives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine Online (archpedi.ama-assn.org) (11/00) Vol. 154, No. 11,; Mangione-Smith, Rita; McGlynn, Elizabeth A.; Hiatt, Lisa; A study of more than 19,000 sexually active females between the ages of 15 and 25 indicates that rates of chlamydia screening for women in this group could be higher. The subjects were enrolled for calendar year 1997 in one of four major U.S. health plans and had visited their health care provider during that time. Whi
AIDS Drugs for Africa: Scientific American (www.sciam.com) (11/00) Vol. 283, No. 5, P. 98; Ezzell, Carol; The AIDS epidemic in Africa faces many obstacles, but the chief one is finding affordable antiretroviral drugs to prevent HIV transmission to newborns and to treat those already infected. Most developed nations now routinely offer antiviral therapies to HIV-infected mothers; however, there are few clinics in Africa tha
A Fifth of Hanoi Prostitutes Have HIV: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (12/07/00); A new report from Vietnam s Anti-Social Vices Department indicates that 21.6 percent of Hanoi prostitutes are infected with HIV. The Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper quoted the report as comparing this rate with an infection rate of 2.8 percent in 1998; however, no total figures were provided. Approximately 70 percent of the
9 More Students Infected With TB: Toronto Sun (www.canoe.ca/torontosun) (12/08/00) P. 22; Lem, Sharon; Toronto health officials report that nine high school students have tested positive for non-contagious tuberculosis (TB). The diagnoses follow the discovery of active TB in a 17-year- old North Toronto Collegiate Institute student. Nearly 200 students and staff members were tested for TB as a result, and these individu
International Confab on Infectious Diseases Begins in Okinawa: Kyodo News Service (home.kyodo.co.jp) (12/07/00); More than 100 experts are gathering in Japan this week to participate in the Okinawa International Conference on Infectious Diseases. In an opening speech, Zambia s president, Frederick Chiluba, called for increased efforts, resources, and political will to fight infectious diseases. The meeting follows the Group of Ei
Albright Visit Highlights Ills, Hope in Africa: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (www.accessatlanta.com) (12/08/00) P. 8A; U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright s trip to Africa this week is intended to draw attention to thriving economies, the AIDS epidemic, and women s rights on the continent. Today, Albright is slated to meet with Nobel Peace laureate Desmond Tutu, South African President Thabo Mbeki, and female political and busin
Sex-Ed Aim: Accessorize for Health: Denver Post (www.denverpost.com) (12/07/00) P. B1; Auge, Karen; In Denver, health officials and Planned Parenthood workers are distributing this week 1,775 silk purses filled with condoms in an effort to reduce teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The workers are attaching condom use information to posters of steamed-up couples on the backs of restroom-stall
18 Percent of Women in U.S. Carry Cervical-Cancer Virus: Deseret News (www.deseretnews.com) (12/07/00) P. A9; The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported this week that almost 18 percent of women in the United States and 8 percent of American men carry the human papillomavirus (HPV). More than 95 percent of cervical cancer cases are caused by the virus, and the HPV-16 strain causes half of those cases. According to
Teens Don't Talk Sex With Doctors; Physicians Urged to Initiate Discussions: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (www.jsonline.com) (12/07/00) P. 3B; Marchione, Marilynn; A new survey of more than 15,000 high school students from around the United States indicates that only 43 percent of teenage girls and 26 percent of teenage boys discuss pregnancy prevention or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) with their doctors during routine exams. Health care providers are missing very importan
TB Surge in Japan Felt in High Places: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (12/08/00) P. A49; Coleman, Joseph; The per capita tuberculosis (TB) infection rate in Japan is 38.1 cases per 100,000 people, the highest rate among industrialized countries. In addition, the number of new TB infections in Japan increased last year for the third consecutive year, and the surge is forcing health officials to rush to update prevention pro
A Way to Make Donated Blood Safer; Watertown Firm Develops Product to Stop Pathogens: Boston Globe (www.boston.com/globe) (12/06/00) P. D4; Rosenberg, Ronald; Watertown, Massachusetts-based V.I. Technologies reportedly has designed a chemistry-based product that can inactivate viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens in red blood cells without affecting blood components. Despite reductions in the risk of pathogen transmission by blood transfusion, there remains a residual risk
[Alaskan] Clinic Puts New HIV Test on Trial: Anchorage Daily News (www.adn.com) (12/06/00) P. 2B; Potempa, Ann; OraSure Technologies OraQuick HIV test is being tested in Planned Parenthood clinics in Anchorage and Soldotna, Alaska, joining other testing sites around the United States and in Africa. For taking the rapid test, participants will receive $20; however, they will not be given results because the test has not yet recei
[Alaska] Governor's Budget Hikes Health Funding; TB, Hepatitis C, Staff Additions Targeted: Anchorage Daily News (www.adn.com) (12/06/00) P. 1B; Potempa, Ann; Health officials in Alaska said Tuesday that Gov. Tony Knowles intends to increase the state s 2002 operating budget by $3 million for health care. The Back to Basics initiative was announced at the Alaska Health Summit in Anchorage. Included among the proposed changes is new funding for 11 public health nurses, two mi
Hospital Sends Out TB Warning Letter; In Past Year, 400 Patients at St. Francis May Have Been Exposed: Charleston Gazette (www.wvgazette.com) (12/06/00) P. 1C; Leonard, Martha; Approximately 400 patients who were treated at a Charleston, West Virginia, hospital over the past year are being warned that they may have been exposed to tuberculosis (TB). There has been an exposure in our acute-care setting, and as a precaution we sent letters to patients asking them to come in for a TB test, expla
Students [in Toronto] Await TB Test Results: Toronto Sun (www.canoe.ca/torontosun) (12/07/00) P. 1; Lem, Sharon; Two hundred students and staff members at North Toronto Collegiate were tested for tuberculosis (TB) earlier this week after a teenager was diagnosed with the disease late last month. Health officials said it was not necessary to test all 1,150 students at the school, because most were not considered at risk for infect
TB Aliens No-Show; 500 Fail to Attend Follow-Up: Toronto Sun (www.canoe.ca/torontosun) (12/07/00) P. 1; Godfrey, Tom; Toronto health officials announced that approximately one- third of the refugees identified by immigration officials for follow-up tuberculosis (TB) treatment did not report to area clinics. According to Sharon Pollock, manager of Toronto s TB program, while 1,000 refugees did show up for treatment, 500 did not, and th
High Marks for Hepatitis Drug: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (12/07/00) P. A16; Hoffmann-La Roche s new Pegasys product, a longer-lasting version of interferon alpha fights hepatitis C much better than its predecessor, according to two new reports. The current issue of the New England Journal of Medicine includes two reports from the drug maker, which compared Pegasys and the company s standard in
U.N.'s Annan Demands War Against AIDS in Africa: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (12/07/00); Murray, Kieran; Speaking at a conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia , United Nations Secretary- General Kofi Annan said African leaders must make fighting AIDS their top priority. Annan noted that the disease has taken the lives of millions of people, and it is also a key impediment to fighting poverty in the developing world and could
Classification of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis: Lancet (www.thelancet.com) (12/02/00) Vol. 356, No. 9245, P. 1930; Sonnenberg, Pamela; Godfrey-Faussett, Peter; Glynn, Judith R.; et al.; In response to two letters to the editor regarding their recent Lancet article about the classification of drug- resistant tuberculosis (TB) in an epidemic area, Aventis Pasteur researchers agree that discussions about the classification of drug resistance should not affect efforts to make sure patients complete their
36 Died of AIDS in Japan So Far This Year: Kyodo News Service (home.kyodo.co.jp) (12/05/00); Japanese health officials reported Tuesday that 36 people died from AIDS in the first 10 months of 2000. In September and October alone, there were four AIDS deaths, 62 new cases of AIDS diagnosed, and 88 new HIV infections. The Health and Welfare Ministry said that there are now more than 7,000 people with HIV or AIDS
Cervical Cancer Virus May Speed HIV Progression: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (12/05/00); McKinney, Merritt; A study of laboratory-grown cells suggests that the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is associated with cervical cancer, may increase HIV progression. The researchers discovered that HPV-infected cells produced growth factors and proteins that stimulated the immune system that could reawaken latent HIV infection in im
UNICEF Launches Appeal for At-Risk Children: M2 Presswire (www.presswire.com) (12/05/00); UNICEF launched an effort this week to raise $207 million to help the world s most needy children. The funds will be used to provide immunizations, basic schooling, clean water and sanitation, AIDS education, mine awareness, and protection against exploitation. We are making this appeal on behalf of children caught in
More Evidence Supports Congo as the World's HIV-1 Epicenter: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (12/05/00); A team of researchers from France , Congo, and the United Kingdom has identified a high level of genetic diversity within HIV-1 group M in the Democratic Republic of the Congo . The scientists studied 247 HIV-1 isolates from three parts of the country and characterized them for diversity within the HIV-1 envel
East Europe Needs Help to Stop AIDS Explosion--UN: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (12/05/00); Thomsen, Per Bech; In a joint statement, UNAIDS , UNICEF, and the World Health Organization (WHO) said that aggressive measures are needed to stem the spread of HIV in Eastern Europe and Russia . The U.N. agencies called on European nations for support in the battle. New statistics from UNAIDS and the WHO indicate that the nu
AIDS Drugs Offered Free in Brazil: Christian Science Monitor (www.csmonitor.com) (12/06/00) P. 6; Downie, Andrew; The Brazilian government has found a way to reduce the price of AIDS medicines so far that it can afford to cover the cost for its 90,000 HIV-positive citizens, though the practice has enraged the multinational drugmakers that developed the medicines. Brazil reduced the cost of HIV-fighting regimens from $12,000 per ye
Dramatic U.S. 20th Century Health Gains--Study: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (12/04/00); A new report in the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics indicates that there were significant public health gains during the 20th century. The report, prepared by researchers at Johns Hopkins and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, found that a better standard of living, immunization programs for
Gonorrhea Decline Reverses; Cases Up 9 Percent: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (12/06/00) P. A3; Brown, David; New statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that the incidence of gonorrhea is on the rise in the United States for the first time in more than two decades. After dropping nearly 75 percent between 1975 and 1996, the gonorrhea rate rose 9 percent between 1997 and 1999. According to the CDC s
Control of SIV Rebound Through Structured Treatment Interruptions During Early Infection: Science (www.sciencemag.org) (11/24/00) Vol. 290, No. 5496, P. 1591; Lori, Franco; Lewis, Mark G.; Xu, Jinqing; et al.; Researchers studying macaques with acute SIV infection found that highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and fixed- schedule structured treatment interruption (STI-HAART) were able to suppress the animals viral load. STI-HAART consisted of alternating three weeks on and three weeks off drug therapy. In the treatm
Clinicians, Researchers Starting to Understand Impact of Depression: AIDS Alert (www.ahcpub.com/online.html) (11/00) Vol. 15, No. 11, P. 129; Many HIV-infected individuals are at risk for depression, as many feel overwhelmed by the substantial changes in their lives. Growing research shows that HIV patients have more negative effects from depression. Jane Leserman, a research associate professor of psychiatry at the University of North Carolina School of Med
Oman Says Has 600 AIDS Cases, 70 Percent Are Men: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (12/04/00); The Oman News Agency said Monday that 600 cases of AIDS have been diagnosed in Oman. The report quoted a health ministry official who said that while nearly three-quarters of the cases are among men, the number of women with AIDS is increasing. A health ministry representative also noted that although 600 cases have b
Caribbean Debates Abstinence or Condoms: Washington Times (www.washtimes.com) (12/05/00) P. A12; At a regional AIDS conference in Grenada over the weekend, activists debated whether they should promote abstinence or encourage condom use. While some people, including Winston Duncan of the Grenada Planned Parenthood Association, said they support condoms, others disagreed, noting that it is hard to get some people t
HIV/AIDS Three Times More Rampant Among Natives: Ottawa Sun (www.canoe.ca/ottawasun) (12/04/00) P. 7; A new report in the National Social Work Journal indicates that the incidence of HIV/AIDS among native Canadians is three times higher than the national average. The report notes problems in awareness, treatment, and research efforts; however, it also discusses successful campaigns that are working to fight the epidemi
Immigrants to Face Tough Test; HIV, Hep B Exams for Newcomers [to Canada]: Ottawa Sun (www.canoe.ca/ottawasun) (12/04/00) P. 16; The Canadian government reportedly will soon start testing immigrants for HIV and hepatitis B, and individuals found infected with either disease will not be allowed to enter the country. Immigrants to Canada are already prohibited entry if they test positive for active tuberculosis or syphilis. According to a report i
35 Hit by TB Drug-Resistant Disease Scare: Toronto Sun (www.canoe.ca/torontosun) (12/05/00) P. 4; Lem, Sharon; Health officials in Canada announced Monday that 35 people have contracted drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) after an infected Caribbean man somehow slipped through the health- screening process when he immigrated to Canada late last year. The man had active drug-resistant TB, and a woman who lived with him became infec
Experts Gather to Fight STDs: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel Online (www.jsonline.com) (12/04/00); Marchione, Marilynn; Hundreds of health experts are gathering in Milwaukee this week for the National STD Prevention Conference, which is sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Social Health Association. There are over 20 diseases that can be transmitted sexually, including HIV. According to the CDC, t
Russia Has Few Weapons as Infectious Diseases Surge: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (12/05/00) P. D1; Zuger, Abigail; Tuberculosis (TB) has become epidemic in Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union, and doctors are often forced to use outdated medical techniques due to a lack of resources. For example, one commonly used method of fighting drug-resistant TB in the country, using air injections to compress infected lungs, which gives
Bottled Up: As UNICEF Battles Baby-Formula Makers, African Infants Sicken: Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com) (12/05/00) P. A1; Freedman, Alix M.; Stecklow, Steve; Between 1.1 million and 1.7 million infants, mostly in Africa, have contracted HIV from breast-feeding. Often in the developing world, HIV-infected mothers are not told that infant formula is an alternative to breast-feeding that could help protect their children from AIDS. The issue has pitted the $3 billion infant-fo
Look This Gift-Horse in the Mouth, Africa Told Over Cheap AIDS Drugs: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (11/30/00); The international relief organization Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) cautioned African countries on Thursday not to accept offers of reduced AIDS drug prices from big drug companies without weighing other options, such as importing or producing cheaper generic versions of the medicines. MSF campaigner Indra Van Gisberg
Senegal Makes Anti-AIDS Drugs Free for Pregnant Women: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (12/04/00); Senegal s Health Minister, Abdou Fall, reported that the country will provide antiretroviral drugs free of charge to HIV-infected mothers and pregnant women. The move, an effort to reduce mother-to-child HIV transmission, was announced on Friday, World AIDS Day. An estimated 90,000 people are infected with HIV in Seneg
Number of HIV Cases [in England and Wales] Rises 40 Percent in Three Years: Financial Times (www.ft.com) (12/02/00) P. 5; Cookson, Clive; New projections from England s Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) indicate that the number of HIV-infected individuals in England and Wales increased by 40 percent over the last three years and will likely rise another 40 percent in another three years. While antiviral drugs have helped to reduce the number of AID
State Awards Needle Program Grants to Fight AIDS: Boston Herald (www.bostonherald.com) (12/02/00) P. 3; Szaniszlo, Marie; Health officials in Massachusetts announced Friday $100,000 in grants to nine communities they hope will launch needle exchange programs. Dr. Jean McGuire, head of the state s HIV- AIDS bureau, asserted that injection drug use is a primary engine behind the epidemic here, making up more than 50 percent of HIV and AIDS
Africa AIDS Conferees to Seek Epidemic Curbs: Washington Times (www.washtimes.com) (12/03/00) P. C11; African leaders, international donors, and the United Nations secretary-general are meeting in Ethiopia this week to discuss strategies for curbing the AIDS epidemic. The five-day conference will bring together 1,500 participants to discuss HIV prevention and treatment as well as national responses to the disease that
Clinton Marks AIDS Day With Global Research Aid: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (12/01/00) P. A2; Entous, Adam; President Clinton announced Friday a $100 million strategy to increase AIDS research throughout the world. Speaking at Howard University in Washington, D.C., Clinton discussed the National Institutes of Health s strategic plan for international AIDS research, increasing funding and training in over 50 nations worldwide
Pfizer, South Africa Agree on Donations for AIDS Medicine: Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com) (12/04/00) P. B15; Waldholz, Michael; After months of discussions, South Africa has agreed to accept a donation of $50 million of Pfizer s drug Diflucan. The drug is used to treat to two AIDS-related infections, cryptococcal meningitis and esophageal candidiasis. According to Pfizer s Jack Watters, the initial deal is for two years and the program will be
FDA Finds Violations at Red Cross Exposing Blood to Safety Risks: Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com) (12/04/00) P. B15; The Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) said last week that even with close government inspection, there are still problems at the American Red Cross that could possibly endanger the nation s blood supply. An FDA inspection of Red Cross headquarters earlier this year revealed violations of manufacturing standards, inc
Complementary Hypothesis Concerning the Community Sexually Transmitted Disease Mass Treatment Puzzle in Rakai, Uganda: AIDS Online (www.aidsonline.com) (11/10/00) Vol. 14, No. 16, P. 2583; Boily, Marie-Claude; Lowndes, Catherine M.; Alary, Michel; Canadian researchers performed an analysis of a mass sexually transmitted diseases (STD) treatment program to clarify the results of an STD treatment trial in Rakai, Uganda . Using simulations of STD mass treatment interventions, the scientists found that mass treatment reduces STD prevalence to a low level but does no
World AIDS Day--December 1, 2000: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (www.cdc.gov/mmwr) (12/01/00) Vol. 49, No. 47, P. 1061; The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS has designated All Men-Make a Difference! as the theme of this year s World AIDS Day, on December 1, 2000. The theme is intended to encourage males to increase their knowledge about the risk of HIV for themselves, their partners, and others. According to the Centers for Dise
HIV-Related Knowledge and Stigma--United States, 2000: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (www.cdc.gov/mmwr) (12/01/00) Vol. 49, No. 47, P. 1062; In a nationally representative public opinion survey, nearly one in five people (18.7 percent) agreed with the statement People who got AIDS through sex or drug use have gotten what they deserve. While this Internet survey of more than 5,600 people included only one question on stigma, the finding suggests that stigma
Miracle Cure Needed for Nigerian AIDS Surge: Up to 21 Percent Are HIV-Positive in Some Areas: Financial Times (www.ft.com) (12/01/00) P. 13; Wallis, William; Statistics show that 5.4 percent of the sexually active population in Nigeria was infected with HIV as of 1999. In parts of the country, however, up to 21 percent are HIV- positive, and up to 4.9 million people may be infected by 2003, according to some estimates. The Society for Family Health--founded 15 years ago by
Across the USA: Connecticut: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (12/01/00) P. 13A; The first legal needle exchange program in Connecticut is marking its 10th anniversary. The program, which began as an experiment, aims to help stem the spread of HIV among injection drug users in New Haven. According to a study, the exchange also helps addicts access medical care, food, housing, and drug treatment pro
Spread of HIV Blamed Mostly on Intravenous Drug Use; Needle Exchange Program Urged: Boston Globe (www.boston.com/globe) (11/30/00) P. B6; Barnard, Anne; Massachusetts health officials said Thursday that the spread of HIV in the state is primarily the result of injection drug use. Jean Flatley McGuire, head of the state Department of Public Health s HIV-AIDS program, noted that women now make up 40 percent of new cases in the state, versus 30 percent nationwide. McGuire
Drugs Giants in Kenya to Negotiate Cut-Price AIDS Treatments: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (11/29/00); An unnamed source in the pharmaceutical industry says that a number of large drug companies are negotiating with the Kenyan government to provide low-priced AIDS drugs to the country. However, activists are concerned that the prices will remain too high for the general public, as recent 85-percent cuts from
Pfizer in AIDS Drug Deal With South Africa: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (12/01/00); Swindells, Steven; Pfizer has inked an agreement with South Africa to provide its antifungal drug Diflucan (fluconazole) free of charge for two years to patients in the country s public health system. The partnership, which will help AIDS patients with cryptococcal meningitis or esophageal candidiasis, follows intense pressure from act
Glaxo Enters Fight in Ghana on AIDS Drug: Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com) (12/01/00) P. A3; Schoofs, Mark; Glaxo Wellcome has caused Cipla , an Indian generic drug maker, to stop selling a knock-off version of its AIDS drug Combivir in Ghana by sending a letter to the government and to Cipla stating that the medicine is illegal as it violates G
World Bank Battles AIDS With More Than Just Its Money: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (12/01/00) P. A31;; Boustany, Nora; To commemorate World AIDS Day, the World Bank has put a 32-foot high red ribbon on its headquarters building in Washington, D.C. Debrework Zewdie, lead coordinator for AIDS at the bank, notes that the organization has committed $1 billion to the war against AIDS, including $500 million approved by the board in Septembe
Clinical Progression, Survival, and Immune Recovery During Antiretroviral Therapy in Patients With HIV-1 and Hepatitis C Virus Coinfection: The Swiss HIV Cohort Study: Lancet (www.thelancet.com) (11/25/00) Vol. 356, No. 9244, P. 1800; Greub, G.; Ledergerber, B.; Battegay, M.; et al.; Investigators for the Swiss HIV Cohort Study assessed the clinical progression of HIV-1, as well as the virological and immunological response to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in HIV-1-infected individuals with or without concurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Of more than 3,100 patients starting
Kuwait Has Detected 787 HIV Cases Since 1984: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (11/30/00); New statistics show that 787 cases of HIV and 50 cases of AIDS have been diagnosed in Kuwait since 1984. According to Dr. Rashid al-Owaish, the head of Kuwait s public health department, more than 3.6 million HIV tests have been administered, primarily on expatriates coming to work in the country.
Survey Says Few Chinese Know How AIDS Is Transmitted: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (11/30/00); A new report from the Chinese Ministry of Health and the People s University of China indicates that only 3.8 percent of Chinese are aware of how HIV is transmitted. According to the Guangming Daily, the survey--which involved more than 3,800 people between the ages of 20 and 64--found that more than 50 percent of resp
South Africa: Truckers Take to the Road for AIDS: Africa News Service (www.africanews.org) (11/29/00); Harvey, Marjolein; On Friday, World AIDS Day, 100 truck drivers will participate in a special procession to South Africa s Department of Transport, to highlight the spread of HIV infection among drivers in the country. According to Marlea Clarke, a University of Capetown researcher, three truck drivers die every day from AIDS-related con
South Africa: Benefit of Anti-Retrovirals Outweigh the Risks-- US Surgeon General: Africa News Service (www.africanews.org) (11/29/00); Harvey, Marjolein; U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher stated Tuesday that the benefits of antiretroviral treatments outweigh any risks involved. Speaking at a press briefing in Pretoria, Satcher said the drugs have been especially useful in preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission in the United States , and also for treating people wi
Vaccine May Work Against Tuberculosis--Study: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (11/29/00); Fox, Maggie; Researchers report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that a new tuberculosis (TB) vaccine could be ready for human tests next year. According to Dr. Marcus Horwitz, a professor at the University of California at Los Angeles and the lead author of the study, the new vaccine is very potent and protec
New Study Questions Teen Risk Factors: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (11/30/00) P. A1; Stepp, Laura Sessions; A new report suggests that using traditional factors--such as race, income, and family structure--to forecast self- destructive behavior among adolescents is difficult. The survey of 10,000 students between the ages of 12 and 17 concluded that school performance and spending a lot of unsupervised time with friends is a
Public Citizen, Union Urge Needle Ban: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (11/30/00) P. 10D; Healy, Michelle; Public Citizen, a consumer group, and the Service Employees International Union called on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Wednesday to ban some needles, catheters, and other sharp instruments that could injure health care workers. The two groups argued that the products could be replaced with safer alternatives.
First AIDS Day Summit Targets Bottom Line: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (11/30/00) P. A2;; Murphy, Caryle; Religious leaders from around the world will gather in Washington, D.C., today for the first World AIDS Day Summit, a four-day conference organized by the White House Office of National AIDS Policy to increase assistance for faith-based groups that are working to fight AIDS. Sandra L. Thurman, the office s director, ex
The Cost-Effectiveness of Elective Cesarean Delivery for HIV- Infected Women With Detectable HIV RNA During Pregnancy: AIDS Online (www.aidsonline.com) (11/10/00) Vol. 14, No. 16, P. 2543; Mrus, Joseph M.; Goldie, Sue J.; Weinstein, Milton C.; et al.; The University of Cincinnati Medical Center evaluated the cost-effectiveness of Cesarean delivery for HIV-infected women during pregnancy. Comparing elective Cesarean section and vaginal delivery, the researchers used the HIV transmission rate, maternal death rate, and quality of life as factors during the study. The r
'Blackspot' Vietnam Expects 46,000 AIDS Deaths: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (11/29/00); New figures from Vietnam s Health Ministry forecast that unless aggressive measures are taken, more than 46,000 people will die from AIDS and another 200,000 will be diagnosed with HIV within five years. The statistics are in sharp contrast to the nearly 2,400 AIDS deaths and the 27,000 HIV infections the ministry prev
6,000 People Infected With HIV in Yugoslavia: Expert: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (11/28/00); According to a new report, the actual number of HIV cases in Yugoslavia is about 6,000. That figure is nearly eight times higher than the number officially recorded, said Borisa Vukovic, head of the government expert group that deals with AIDS. Vukovic noted that only 860 cases have been registered, and more than 600 o
Vertex/Glaxo HIV Protease Inhibitor Moves Into Phase III Testing: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (11/28/00); Vertex Pharmaceuticals reported Monday that a fast-track prodrug of the HIV protease inhibitor Agenerase , VX-175, is now in phase III tests. The product was formulated for a dosing regimen of three pills two times a day; however, the new tests--in which all patients will receive
Miss. Monitors Outbreak of Syphilis: Baton Rouge Advocate (www.theadvocate.com) (11/28/00) P. 2B; Health officials in Mississippi are investigating an outbreak of syphilis in Greenville, where 15 cases of the sexually transmitted disease have been diagnosed in the past five months. Thus far, officials have learned that 21 people were in contact with the 15 confirmed cases. One official noted that the team investiga
Young Lack the Facts About AIDS: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (11/29/00) P. 9D; Healy, Michelle; A new poll conducted by MTV shows that many young people are misinformed about HIV and AIDS. According to the survey, which questioned over 4,100 teenagers and young adults in 16 nations across the world, 60 percent of the 16- to 24-year- olds said they should be concerned about AIDS. However, only about one-quarter of
Pfizer Offers AIDS Drug to South Africa: Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com) (11/29/00) P. A3; Zimmerman, Rachel; Pfizer is expected to announce on December 1, World AIDS Day, that it will donate $50 million worth of its antifungal drug Diflucan, which is used by many AIDS patients, to South Africa over two years. New statistics from the United Nations and the World Health Organization show t
U.N. Requests $3 Billion From Western Governments to Combat AIDS Crisis in Africa: Philadelphia Inquirer (www.philly.com) (11/29/00); Collins, Huntly; Western governments need to give $3 billion a year for the next five years to fight the growing AIDS epidemic in sub- Saharan Africa, the United Nations said Tuesday. Also, during a teleconference with AIDS activists in South Africa and the United States , the humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders called
New Cases of HIV Decline in Africa for First Time: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (11/29/00) P. A3; Brown, David; A new report from UNAIDS indicates that the number of people who contracted HIV in sub-Saharan Africa declined this year for the first time. Officials noted, however, that the finding must be interpreted with caution, because it is not known whether the drop is an actual turning point or just something temporary. The
South African Village Prepares for First HIV Vaccine Trial: Nature Medicine (medicine.nature.com) (11/00) Vol. 6, No. 11, P. 1199; Connett, Harold; South Africa s Medical Research Council plans to begin HIV vaccine trials in February 2001, with phase III tests slated for completion by 2005. The trial will test a Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) virus vaccine, which uses an attenuated form of VEE with genes from subtype C isolates of South African seroconverter
Tuberculosis Cases Surging in Japan: Las Vegas Sun Online (www.lasvegassun.com) (11/26/00); New statistics show that the number of new tuberculosis (TB) infections in Japan soared last year, for a per-capita rate of 38.1 cases per 100,000 people. The Japanese government declared a TB state of emergency in 1999, and health experts are now working to improve prevention efforts. There is a lack of research fund
'40 Percent Engage in Group Sex Romps'--Survey: PA News (www.pressassociation.press.net) (11/28/00); A new survey from Time Out magazine indicates that approximately 40 percent of respondents have had group sex. The survey, which questioned 600 men and women in London last month, also reports that 21 percent of the men and 1 percent of the women said they had visited a prostitute at least once. More than half reported
First Human HIV Vaccine Trials Begin in Australia: Australian Broadcasting Corp. News (www.abc.net.au) (11/28/00); Australia has approved the first human trials of an HIV vaccine to be conducted in the country. The year-long study, to be held in Melbourne and Sydney, will involve 36 HIV- infected individuals. Robin Gorna of the Australian Federation of AIDS noted that while laboratory tests on animals were promising, it will be a
QLD: AIDS Spreads to Heterosexuals: Australian Associated Press (www.aap.com.au) (11/27/00); Australian health officials announced on Monday that over 2,000 people in Queensland are infected with HIV. Gold Coast health coordinator Jennifer Vella noted that while the primary mode of HIV transmission is men who have sex with men, there has been an increase recently of new cases resulting from heterosexual sex. V
[AIDS in South Africa]: Christian Science Monitor (www.csmonitor.com) (11/24/00) P. 24; A recent insurance industry conference in Cape Town warned that unless aggressive measures are taken to stem the spread of HIV and to improve treatment for those already infected, AIDS will take the life of one South African every minute within five years. According to a statement from Lifeworks, an industry organizati
City Fights Ignorance About HIV; Workers Targeting More Minorities: Houston Chronicle (www.chron.com) (11/27/00) P. 1A; Graves, Rachel; Nearly one year after the city declared a state of emergency because of high rates of HIV infection among local minorities, the Houston Health Department is working to increase awareness of the disease. In Houston, African Americans make up more than 50 percent of the new HIV infections reported through September, but
U.N. Takes AIDS Battle to Internet: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (www.accessatlanta.com) (11/28/00) P. 5C; McKenna, M.A.J.; As the number of HIV infections worldwide continues to soar, an online project of the United Nations Development Program offers a suggestion for how people can help. Located at www.NetAid.org, the site focuses primarily on extreme poverty; however, an HIV/AIDS program was recently added. The program asks for donations
HIV's Onslaught Slows Down in Africa: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (11/28/00) P. 11D; Sternberg, Steve; A United Nations report to be released today indicates that the number of new HIV case in sub-Saharan Africa dropped slightly this year, although prospects for the region are still grim. UNAIDS head Dr. Peter Piot warned that the decline is no reason to cry victory. It doesn t make us very optimistic. Possible reason
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Reverse Transcriptase and Protease Mutation Search Engine for Queries: Nature Medicine (medicine.nature.com) (11/00) Vol. 6, No. 11, P. 1290; Shafer, Robert W.; Jung, Duane R.; Betts, Bradley J.; Researchers from Stanford University discuss new technology for sequence variation, through the use of databases of the International Nucleic Acid Sequence Data Library. Sequence variation in HIV reverse transcriptase and protease can be used as targets for antiretroviral therapy. GenBank provides over 10,000 published
Drug-Susceptible Tuberculosis Outbreak in a State Correctional Facility Housing HIV-Infected Inmates--South Carolina, 1999- 2000: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (www.cdc.gov/mmwr) (11/24/00) Vol. 49, No. 46, P. 1041; Thirty-one cases of tuberculosis (TB) were confirmed among HIV-infected male inmates and parolees who were segregated within South Carolina s only prison for men with HIV. The outbreak originated with an inmate who had infectious TB that was undiagnosed for at least two months. A medical student, who examined him, also
Iran Bans Tattoos in Bid to Slow Spread of HIV: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (11/26/00); A report from the official IRNA news agency indicates that Iran s health ministry has prohibited all tattooing in an effort to stem the spread of HIV. Health Minister Mohammad Farhadi, speaking at a conference in advance of World AIDS Day on December 1, explained, There is a time bomb ticking in Iran, and we have to ta
Ethiopia: Money Needed for AIDS: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (11/23/00) P. A6; A new United Nations report indicates that sub-Saharan Africa will require $2 billion to $10 billion in assistance annually to cope with over 23 million cases of HIV. The report said the level of official aid is woefully inadequate, especially as the disease is taking an estimated 2 percent a year off the area s gross
HIV Dates Back 300 Years, Belgian Researchers Say: Ottawa Citizen (www.ottawacitizen.com) (11/26/00) P. A11; New research from Belgian investigators suggests that a virus similar to HIV may have existed in humans during the 17th century. The researchers, from the Catholic University in Leuven, Belgium , used computerized dating methods based on virus genetic data to trace links between HIV and a similar virus in chimpanzees.
Monkey HIV Study Backs Drug Respite: Washington Times (www.washtimes.com) (11/25/00) P. A3; New research, recently published in the journal Science, suggests that regular holidays from HIV drugs could help the immune system control HIV. Researchers from the Washington Research Institute for Genetic and Human Therapy studied monkeys and found that there may be a less expensive and simpler way to treat HIV than
Health Officials Debate Ethics of Placebo Use: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (11/24/00) P. A3; Okie, Susan; Experts gathered at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently to discuss the value and ethics of placebos in drug research. Last month, the Declaration of Helsinki was revised to declare the use of placebos unethical if the disease being researched already has an effective therapy. The document said that experim
TB, Malaria Return as Killer Disease--WHO: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (11/27/00); A World Health Organization (WHO) official asserted Monday that tuberculosis (TB) and malaria are running rampant in Southeast Asia. Speaking at a health conference in Dhaka, Bangladesh , Dr. Uton Muchtar Rafei, the WHO regional director in Southeast Asia, said that approximately 40 percent of the population in the reg
Ultraviolet Light Studied as Weapon in Tuberculosis War: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (11/27/00) P. A23; Kelley, Tina; Researchers at St. Vincents Hospital and Medical Center of New York and the Harvard School of Public Health are investigating whether ultraviolet (UV) light can help stem the spread of tuberculosis (TB) among the homeless, immigrants, prisoners, and other at-risk groups. According to Dr. Philip W. Brickner of St. Vince
Ex-Soviet Bloc Has 60 Percent Climb in Cases of HIV: Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com) (11/27/00) P. B14; The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the number of HIV infections in the former Soviet Union will soar 60 percent this year. The WHO noted that there will be approximately 250,000 new infections--mostly among injection drug users--in Eastern Europe and central Asia in 2000, bringing the total number in the
Mucosal Shedding of Human Herpesvirus 8 in Men: New England Journal of Medicine (www.nejm.org) (11/09/00) Vol. 343, No. 19, P. 1369; Pauk, John; Huang, Meei-Li; Brodie, Scott J.; et al.; A study from John Pauk and colleagues from the University of Washington at Seattle, evaluated the patterns of shedding of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) among men who have sex with men (MSM). A total of 112 MSM provided samples, 35 percent of whom tested seropositive for HHV-8. Of the 39 HHV-8- seropositive subjects, 27 a
ASEAN to Address AIDS and Drug Scourges: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (11/22/00); The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) forum will discuss this week the AIDS epidemic and drug abuse. Prior to the meeting, ASEAN experts gathered in Vietnam to work out a joint strategy to stem the spread of HIV. Vietnamese Health Minister Do Nguyen Phuong noted that information sharing and joint monitorin
Prevention Keeps Lithuania AIDS Rate Lowest in Central Europe: Official: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (11/21/00); An official from Lithuania s AIDS Center announced Tuesday that early prevention programs have helped Lithuania keep its HIV infection rate the lowest in central Europe, at 6.8 cases per 100,000 people. In nearby Poland there are 15.2 HIV infections per 100,000, while the rates in Esto
Zambia's Chiluba Speaks of Devastation of AIDS: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (11/22/00); Esipisu, Manoah; Speaking on the Day of Affirmation for people living with AIDS in Zambia , President Frederick Chiluba said the effects of the disease in the country were devastating, with many children becoming orphans after watching their parents die. An estimated 20 percent of Zambian adults are infected with HIV. Chiluba noted th
South Africa Faces 'AIDS Holocaust': Reuters (www.reuters.com) (11/21/00); Swindells, Steven; The head of South Africa s Medical Research Council (MRC) warned Tuesday that unless aggressive measures are taken to keep HIV from spreading further, the country faces potential catastrophe. Malegapuru William Makgoba noted that new MRC estimates support data from various organizations that AIDS could take the lives o
Bayer AG: AIDS Treatments Included in Research-Priority List: Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com) (11/22/00) P. B6; German drug giant Bayer AG announced that developing new AIDS treatments will be among its new drug-research activities. Although the company did not reveal how much in planned to spend on AIDS research, it budgeted about $852 million for 2000. The company said it hopes to identify the first products for preclinical HI
Eliminating Stigma Reduces Resistance to Prenatal HIV Testing: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (11/21/00); Gale, Karla; A report presented at last week s American Public Health Association conference in Boston said that an office policy for HIV counseling and testing that includes steps to eliminate stigma can help lower resistance to testing among pregnant women. Kathleen A. Sherrieb of the Dartmouth- Hitchcock Family HIV Program in
UV Light to Lock TB Out of Jail; Shelby First County to Get System That Kills Bacteria in Air: Memphis Commercial Appeal (www.memphis.com) (11/21/00) P. B1; Charlier, Tom; Tennessee health officials announced this week that inmates in the Shelby County jail will be protected from airborne bacteria, such as tuberculosis (TB), using new ultraviolet light technology. The Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation System, manufactured by Commercial Lighting Design Inc. of Memphis, recycles the indoo
Canada Hit by Shortage of Donor Sperm: Toronto Star (www.thestar.com) (11/22/00); Yelaja, Prithi; Fertility experts report that a shortage of donor sperm in Canada is sending many women who want to be artificially inseminated into the United States . Health Canada quarantined tens of thousands of frozen semen samples after a study last year revealed extensive problems in donor screening. The investigation was laun
Boosting Immunity to HIV--Can the Virus Help?: Science (www.sciencemag.org) (11/03/00) Vol. 290, No. 5493, P. 946; Autran, Brigitte; Carcelain, Guislaine; French researchers discuss a recent study from Walker and colleagues who found that interrupted drug therapy has benefits for HIV-infected patients. Brigitte Autran and Guislaine Carcelain, both of the Laboratoire d Immunologie Cellulaire et Tissulaire Hopital Pitie-Salpetriere in Paris note that early treatment with h
Epstein-Barr Virus Not a Risk Factor for Cervical Lesions in HIV-Infected Women: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (11/20/00); A report in the December issue of the Journal of Medical Virology (2000;62:410-415) indicates that the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in cervical samples from HIV-infected women does not raise the risk for squamous intraepithelial lesions. Italian researchers tested 122 HIV-infected women for human papillomavirus
Albright Issues Plea to Next President; Diplomacy's Funding, Focus Cited: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (11/21/00) P. A2; DeYoung, Karen; As the debate over the presidential election continues, U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright urged whoever ends up as the new president to allocate more for diplomacy and State Department activities, pay U.S. debts to international groups, and keep participating in foreign peacekeeping maneuvers. Albright, who
Haiti Gets Unused AIDS Drugs From the U.S.: Miami Herald Online (www.herald.com) (11/20/00); Emery, Theo; Two Massachusetts organizations are working to help AIDS patients in Haiti obtain medication. Cambridge Cares About AIDS has been collecting the drugs, which might otherwise be thrown out when a patient changes drug regimens. The group has already provided Partners in Health with about $200,000 in AIDS drugs, which are
Vancouver Attacks 'Hard Drugs Crisis': Ottawa Citizen (www.ottawacitizen.com) (11/21/00) P. A3; Bula, Frances; In Vancouver, British Columbia, a new drug policy calls for safe-injection sites for drug users and providing free heroin for hard-core addicts. The new plan is to be unveiled today; however, a copy obtained by the Vancouver Sun shows that it also discusses drug courts, special treatment beds for young people, testing
Bishkek's Unlikely AIDS Battle: Christian Science Monitor (www.csmonitor.com) (11/21/00) P. 6; Peterson, Scott; Kyrgyzstan , one of the poorest nations of the former Soviet Union, started focusing on HIV prevention in 1995, while many other countries in the region are only just beginning to address the epidemic. Larisa Bashmakova has played a key role in the battle, leading a joint United Nations-Krygyz government project that
In Brief: Apache Medical Systems: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (11/21/00) P. E5; The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has decided to extend an agreement with Apache Medical Systems that increases the firm s HIV/AIDS studies to include hepatitis and influenza in HIV-infected individuals. The CDC uses a database managed by Apache to assess HIV/AIDS patient data. Started in 1993, the coopera
Protein's Role Traced in AIDS Infection: Boston Globe Online (www.boston.com/globe) (11/21/00) P. A4; Recer, Paul; New studies in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences discuss the role of a group of proteins, called proteasomes, that HIV uses to assemble and spread new viral particles to uninfected cells. According to an author of one of the studies, Ulrich Schubert of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious
Does Size Matter? Utility of Size of Tuberculin Reactions for the Diagnosis of Mycobacterial Disease: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Online (www.ajrccm.atsjournals.org) (10/00) Vol. 162, No. 4, P. 1419; Zahrani, Kheder; Jahdali, Hamdan Al; Menzies, Dick; In a study from the Montreal Chest Institute and McGill University, tuberculin skin testing (TST) was conducted on 529 close contacts or patients suspected of active tuberculosis (TB). The final diagnoses showed that 68 had active TB, 274 had inactive TB, and 213 had no abnormality related to TB. Patients who had TSTs
Syphilis and Orthostatic Shaking Limbs: Lancet (www.thelancet.com) (11/18/00) Vol. 356, No. 9243, P. 1734; Brotman, Daniel J.; Fotuhi, Majid; Researchers from the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and Johns Hopkins Hospital present the case report of a 65-year-old man who, in April 1999, was evaluated for possible seizures at Johns Hopkins emergency room. The man had been diagnosed with syphilis more than a quarter century previously and was treated two times. The
Boredom, Casual Sex Fuel AIDS in Nairobi Slums: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (11/19/00); Denyer, Simon; An estimated 20 percent of the people between the ages of 15 and 49 in Nairobi s Kibera slum are infected with HIV, although the actual number could be much higher. The area is extremely crowded, with as many as 1 million people living on just one square mile of land, and there are few activities for people to particip
Outbreak of Syphilis in South Kazakhstan Settlement: BBC News Corp. (www.bbc.co.uk) (11/18/00); According to a report from the Interfax- Kazakhstan news agency, there has been an outbreak of syphilis in a Stepnoye uranium ore miners settlement, located in South Kazakhstan Region s Suzak District. The report said that 31 cases of the sexually transmitted disease were recorded in October. Quoting Tatyana Rodina, th
Pretrial Detentions Worrying Eastern Europe: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (11/19/00) P. 1-28; Almost 50 percent of the prison population in Eastern Europe is made up of individuals awaiting trial. As the European Union urges potential EU members to boost their judiciary systems, human rights advocates have voiced concerns as more suspected criminals are being arrested but many are taking too long to get to tria
Internet Chatters Fight LA Syphilis Outbreak: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (11/17/00); At the annual conference of the American Public Health Association, Harlan Rotblatt of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services discussed efforts to combat an outbreak of syphilis among gay and bisexual men using the Internet. In March, health officials were alerted to a cluster of 10 syphilis cases through
Mentally Ill Patients at Risk for HIV, TB, and Hepatitis: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (11/17/00); Mozes, Alan; New research presented at the annual meeting of the Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine in Palm Springs, California, indicates that patients in mental hospitals are at greater risk for HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and hepatitis compared to individuals in the general population. Scientists studied more than 650 men and women a
Community Knowledge of HIV Infection Remains Low in South Carolina: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (11/17/00); A study of nearly 1,000 teenagers and adults in South Carolina reveals a significant lack of information regarding basic knowledge, awareness of community services, and perception of personal risk for HIV and AIDS. The researchers, who reported their findings at the 128th annual American Public Health Association meeti
Stopping Needle-Sticks: Boston Globe (www.boston.com/globe) (11/18/00) P. A16; Daley, Karen; In a letter to the editor of the Boston Globe, Karen Daley, president of the Massachusetts Nurses Association, discusses the risks involved with needle stick injuries. Daley--who contracted HIV and hepatitis C from an accidental needle stick in 1998--points out that over 600,000 of the injuries occur every year, with 1
New Pro Bono Ads on AIDS Are Set: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (11/20/00) P. C16; The White House Office of National AIDS Policy and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are set to unveil next week several new pro bono public service campaigns. The ads--part of the World AIDS Day activities at the White House--will appear on television, radio, print, and interactive media. According to May
Economic Evaluation of Safer Choices; A School-Based HIV, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and Pregnancy Prevention Program: Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Online (archpedi.ama-assn.org) (10/00) Vol. 154, No. 10, P. 1017; Wang, Li Yan; Davis, Margarett; Robin, Leah; et al.; Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention evaluated the cost-effectiveness of Safer Choices, a pregnancy, HIV, and disease prevention program for high school students. The cost benefit was considered in light of intervention costs, medical costs, and the net benefit of the program. Over the course
Fatal Flaw: New Scientist (www.newscientist.com) (10/28/00) Vol. 168, No. 2262, P. 35; Holmes, Bob; Larry Loeb, a researcher at the University of Washington in Seattle, is working on a technique to control HIV using the virus s ability to mutate. Biophysicist Manfred Eigen of the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry in Gottingen discovered that a population of viruses has an error catastrophe threshold, mea
Annan Says TV Should Help Educate Developing World: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (11/17/00); Bases, Daniel; Television should be used to both inform and educate people in the developing world, according to United Nations Secretary- General Kofi Annan. Annan, speaking at the fifth annual U.N. World Television Forum, noted that new information technology could help encourage economic growth and also reduce poverty. However, he
Carter Urges Africans to Take Initiative on AIDS: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (11/16/00); Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter said Thursday that African leaders must take the initiative in the war against AIDS, to help prevent the destruction of national economies and even entire cultures. Carter, writing in the International Herald Tribune newspaper, detailed a three-point strategy to help fight the epidemi
African and US Leaders Sign Agreement on AIDS: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (11/16/00); Clark, Margaret A.; A new document approved earlier this week by 24 African nations, representatives of the pharmaceutical industry, U.S. policy advisors, and researchers focuses on fighting AIDS in Africa. The document, Principles of Collaboration: When Confronting AIDS in Africa, is expected to serve as a basis for an AIDS alliance betw
Carotid Lesion Risk Increased by HIV Protease Inhibitors: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (11/16/00); A new report in the journal AIDS (2000;14:F123-F128) indicates that HIV patients who take protease inhibitors (PIs) are at greater risk for carotid vessel lesions than HIV-infected individuals who do not take PIs or healthy controls. Italian researchers conducted ultrasonographs of the epiaortic vessels on 102 HIV pati
Health Board Requires Reporting of HIV Infection: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Online (11/16/00); Srikameswaran, Anita; As part of an effort to better track the spread of the virus, health care providers in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, are now required to report all new cases of HIV infection to the county health department. While concerns were raised at a health board meeting two months ago about the manner in which the cases would
AIDS Increasing Among Indians, Alaska Natives: Anchorage Daily News Online (www.adn.com) (11/16/00); U.S. health officials have warned that the rate of HIV infection and AIDS among Native Americans is on the rise. When you combine the increasing case numbers with other health factors in Native communities, HIV/AIDS poses an explosive health threat, said Dr. Eric Goosby, director of the Office of HIV/AIDS Policy. Stati
World Bank Offers Russia $150 Million for AIDS Fight: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (11/16/00); FitzGerald, Tara; As Russia faces soaring rates of HIV infection, the World Bank has offered the country a $150 million loan to help battle the disease. Experts have warned that unless aggressive measures are taken, the disease could take an enormous toll on Russia. UNAIDS estimated that there were 130,000 HIV and AIDS patients in R
Sick of Flying: Traveling Over the Holidays? Lots of People Are, So Be Prepared to Catch a Cold, the Flu--or Worse: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (11/17/00) P. 1D; Sloan, Gene; Davis, Robert; Health experts are warning that with the increase in travel, airports and airplanes have become sources of possible infection. Richard Mueller, a cardiologist at Medical Associates of New York whose practice provides immunizations and pre-trip counseling for travelers, calls jets and airport terminals short-term incuba
3 Million Pounds for Teen Sex Education: Scotsman (www.thescotsman.co.uk) (11/14/00) P. 4; Trueland, Jennifer; Health officials in Scotland have launched a 3 million pound program to reduce teen pregnancy in the country. Health Minister Susan Deacon said the project aims to reduce pregnancies by 20 percent for 13- to 15-year-olds. Deacon also noted that cases of chlamydia have soared in the past five years, but many young peopl
Ricky Martin to Preach Safe Sex on MTV: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (11/15/00); Majende, Paul; On December 1, World AIDS Day, singer Ricky Martin will host an MTV documentary about AIDS, describing the experiences of six AIDS patients around the world. An MTV poll last year found that over one-quarter of viewers in 11 nations knew nothing about HIV and 10 percent said they were not concerned about AIDS because t
Vulnerability to New Outbreaks May Increase When HIV Seroprevalence Falls: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (11/15/00); A new study in the American Journal of Epidemiology (2000;152:913-922) suggests that when HIV seroprevalence drops, the protective effect of the small subnetworks of seronegative individuals who may help limit infectious outbreaks and prevent saturation could be weakened. Researchers from the National Development and R
Across the USA: New York: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (11/16/00) P. 14A; Thousands of inmates in New York state prisons are being given priority for flu shots because they have conditions, such as HIV or tuberculosis, that could result in serious complications if they contract influenza. New York s AARP has said it will not object if residents of nursing homes are also among the first recip
New England in Brief: HIV-Positive Man Files Rights Complaint: Boston Globe (www.boston.com/globe) (11/15/00) P. B2; A New Hampshire man who is infected with HIV has filed a human rights complaint after a doctor refused to conduct a bladder examination on him at the physician s office. According to the complaint filed with the New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights, even though the man was already at the office and had disrobed, t
New Genetic Risk Factor for HIV Found: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (11/15/00); Brown, Anthony J.; A new report indicates that a small variation in the RANTES gene seems to increase susceptibility to HIV, although it slows progression to AIDS after infection. The researchers, led by Dr. David H. McDermott from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, investigated changes known as single nucleotide
Younger Kids Trying It Now, Often Ignorant of Disease Risks: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (11/16/00) P. 1D; Peterson, Karen S.; A growing number of young teenagers are engaging in oral sex, many of whom have never had sexual intercourse and say they believe in abstinence. However, these teens belief that oral sex is not really sex could put them at risk for sexually transmitted diseases, which can be contracted through the act. An upcoming stud
Glaxo AIDS Drug Gets FDA Approval, With Strong Warning: Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com) (11/16/00) P. B2; The U.S. Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) has approved a combination drug for the treatment of HIV, but the agency has warned that about 5 percent of patients trying the pill could undergo a severe, possibly fatal if untreated, allergic reaction. Called Trizivir , Glaxo Wellcome s com
Roche Calls for Potency Guidelines to Help HIV Drug Prescribing: Lancet (www.thelancet.com) (11/04/00) Vol. 356, No. 9241, P. 1581; Jack, David; Hoffmann-La Roche has asked other pharmaceutical companies to agree on a standard method to assess drug potency in vitro. Roche s proposal for makers of protease inhibitors (PIs) was sparked by confusion among doctors over the relative potencies of the drugs. Roche has invited the other drug firms to participate in
Japan Donates Over $5 Million for Yemen Tuberculosis Battle: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (11/14/00); Japan said Tuesday that it has donated $5.2 million to help Yemen , one of the world s poorest nations, battle tuberculosis. The funds will be used to buy medical equipment throughout the country. Japan s ministry for planning and development noted that Japan also recently donated $4.5 million for nine hospitals in Y
South Africa Gives Go Ahead for Anti-AIDS Drug: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (11/14/00); Swindells, Steven; Glaxo Wellcome said on Tuesday that the South African medical board has granted its approval for the sale of a medicine that contains AZT . Approved for sale by the Medicines Control Council on November 10, Combivir is expected by Glaxo officials t
Project Impact 2003 Educates Youth on Health, Life Choices Are Focus of Reggie McKenzie Foundation Program: Detroit News (www.detnews.com) (11/15/00) P. 3; Singer, Christopher M.; The Reggie McKenzie Foundation of Highland Park, Michigan, has received a $35,000 grant from the Detroit Auto Dealers Association Charitable Foundation Fund to continue a second year of health education programs for teenagers. Project Impact 2003 will teach youths aged 12 to 18 about healthy life choices, said director
Study Shows Why Teens Have Sex Early: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (11/14/00); Mulvihill, Keith; A study from Drs. Rick Zimmerman and Katharine Attwood of the University of Kentucky has found that high school students in a relationship or who think their friends are having sex frequently are more likely to have sex earlier in high school, as are teens who drink alcohol. The four-year survey of 950 ninth grade stud
Nuceloside Analogues Should Be Switched When Protease Inhibitor Is Added: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (11/13/00); New findings published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases (2000;31: 987-994) show that HIV patients who receive new nucleoside analogues (NAs) benefit from protease therapy. Dr. Pierre-Marie Girard of Hopital Rothschild in Paris and colleagues studied 608 HIV-positive individuals to assess the long-term effect
The Brutal Economics of AIDS: HIV-Infected Workers in Kenya Are Routinely Sacked from Their Jobs: San Francisco Chronicle Online (www.sfgate.com) (11/13/00) P. A12; Gough, David; Suveni Mabunde of Nairobi, Kenya , was unknowingly tested for HIV by his engineering firm during a routine checkup. The results were sent to his employer of two years, who then informed him of the positive results and told him he must leave. According to Nairobi attorney Paul Amollo, thousands of Kenyans have been dism
Decatur Has Big Syphilis Outbreak: Birmingham News Online (www.al.com) (11/14/00); Livingston, Rose; Alabama health officials are targeting apartment complexes and workplaces in Decatur in an effort to end a syphilis outbreak that has infected 27 people, primarily Hispanic men, in the last six weeks. Health officials attributed the spread of the sexually transmitted disease (STD) to prostitutes going door- to-door. Mi
Russia Has World's Fastest-Growing Spread of AIDS: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (11/15/00); Russia has the fastest-growing number of new HIV infections in the world, according to Arkadiush Mayshik, head of a United Nations program in Moscow. With 70,000 HIV cases now registered in the country, Mayshik said that nearly 40,000 infections have been diagnosed since January. Most of the cases are among individua
Translating HIV Care: Journal of the American Medical Association (www.jama.com) (11/08/00) Vol. 284, No. 18, P. 2309; Voelker, Rebecca; The Eurasia AIDS Knowledge Network is a new Internet resource for Russian-speaking clinicians, providing HIV and AIDS information to healthcare professionals in the countries of the former Soviet Union. The network contains up-to-date treatment information, as part of a project with the American International Health Al
Over-Burdened Malawi Hospitals Send TB Patients Home: Africa News Service (www.africanews.org) (11/13/00); Gama, Hobbs; Malawi has instituted a home-care system for tuberculosis (TB) patients, as the growing demand for beds competes with a soaring rate of TB infection. Under the new plan, all non- critical TB patients will be sent home and cared for by relatives or nurses trained to help. Malawi recorded 5,000 cases of TB in 1985; how
Australia Gives Record Funding for PNG HIV/AIDS Campaign: Australian Associated Press (aap.com.au) (11/13/00); Ricketts, Kevin; The Australian Agency for International Development has donated A$60 million to Papua New Guinea (PNG) to battle AIDS. National AIDS Council chairman Dr. Puka Temu signed the agreement, making it the largest HIV project funded offshore by Australia. While accurate statistics about AIDS in PNG are not available, it is
Effective HIV Vaccine Trials Need Randomized Placebo- Controlled Design: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (11/10/00); Hendry, Joene; Dr. Jared Baeten of the International AIDS Research and Training Program at the University of Washington in Seattle reports that HIV researchers should perform randomized trials to keep nonvaccine factors that affect HIV-1 incidence separate from the effects of the vaccine. Dr. Baeten studied HIV-1 incidence among 953
More Teens Visiting Peer Clinic for Sex Issues: Providence Journal-Bulletin (www.projo.com) (11/13/00) P. 3C; Pina, Tatiana; The Teen Clinic at Planned Parenthood in Providence, Rhode Island, has a growing number of visitors. The clinic provides sex education, contraceptives, and tests for sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. Each peer educator specializes in one subject to help talk to other teens knowledgeably. Most of the visitor
Gates Gives $25 Million for Nigeria AIDS Research: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (11/13/00); Harvard University s School of Public Health has received $25 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to study AIDS prevention in Nigeria . The Nigeria initiative will study HIV infection and support prevention efforts, especially among children. Harvard is already running a similar program in
Life or Death Messages to Go Out to Minorities; Grant Money Will Help Spread the Word of a Healthier Lifestyle and Early Detection and Treatment of Disease: Orlando Sentinel (www.orlandosentinel.com) (11/13/00) P. B1; Suriano, Robyn; Next month, volunteers throughout Florida will participate in a statewide push to end health disparities among minorities. Melvin Herring Jr., director of equal opportunity and minority health at the Florida Department of Health, said they want to help minority residents by sending minorities to discuss the problem. To
Immunizations Plummet in Poorest Nations Wars, Funding Cuts Blamed for Decline: Boston Globe (www.boston.com/globe) (11/13/00) P. A1; Donnelly, John; A 30-year effort to vaccinate children in the developing world is unraveling, as immunization rates fall under 50 percent in parts of sub-Saharan Africa. The decline in immunization coverage is due to war, HIV/AIDS, and loss of interest among donors. UNICEF has cut immunization funding from $182 million in 1990 to $51.
For Burmese, Repression, AIDS and Denial: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (11/14/00) P. A1;; Harden, Blaine; In 1952, Burma--whose military dictatorship renamed it Myanmar--had the best health care and literacy rate in Asia. Today, the country ranks second to last for healthcare, and it is struggling with an AIDS epidemic that experts say rivals that in Africa. In addition, the country is faced with heroin and amphetamine smu
Evaluation of HIV-1 Immunogen, an Immunologic Modifier, Administered to Patients Infected With HIV Having 300 to 549X10/L CD4 Cell Counts: Journal of the American Medical Association (www.jama.com) (11/01/00) Vol. 284, No. 17, P. 2193; Kahn, James O.; Cherng, Deborah Weng; Mayer, Kenneth; et al.; A study of HIV-infected investigated whether the addition of HIV-1 Immunogen would reduce disease progression. A total of 2,527 adults without previous AIDS-related conditions were divided into two groups: approximately half of whom received HIV-1 Immunogen, while the rest received a placebo. A total of 57 percent of t
Notice to Readers: HIV Draft Documents Available for Comment: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (www2.cdc.gov/mmwr) (11/10/00) Vol. 49, No. 44, P. 1009; The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced that two draft documents on HIV are now available for public comment. The public can submit comments on the documents, Revised Guidelines for HIV Counseling, Testing, and Referral and Revised Public Health Service Recommendations for HIV Screening of Pregnant
Sydney Conference to Address Asia-Pacific AIDS Problem: Australian Broadcasting Corp. News (www.abc.net.au) (11/10/00); Speaking at a four-day seminar in Sydney, Prof. David Cooper of Australia s National HIV Center said that HIV infection rates in the Asia-Pacific region make it make it a key arena in the war against the disease. Many nations in the region are offering only limited or no treatment, a situation which Cooper said will re
Britain to Give Third World Millions for Condoms: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (11/10/00); Britain has announced that it will give approximately $35.65 million to help developing nations afford safe contraceptives. The donation, to the United Nations Population Fund, will be used to buy male and female condoms and treatments for sexually transmitted diseases. Britain s Department for International Developmen
AIDS Common in Caribbean: Orlando Sentinel (www.orlandosentinel.com) (11/10/00) P. A9; Although government neglect and thriving prostitution have helped make the Caribbean s AIDS epidemic second only to that in sub-Saharan Africa, officials and activists have expressed hope for the future. More than 5 percent of Haiti s adult population is infected with HIV, while rates in most Latin American nations are
The Threat of the Needle; As Injected Drug Use Rises, Pakistani Clinic Works to Avert Spread of AIDS Virus: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (11/12/00) P. A26; Constable, Pamela; The Nai Zindagi, or New Life needle exchange center, offers drug users in Pakistan clean needles and information on HIV and AIDS. Few addicts in Pakistan are aware of AIDS; however, more are switching from smoking heroin to injecting it, according a 1999 study by the United Nations Drug Control Program in Pakistan. App
Study Says Pap Smears May Be Done Less Often: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (11/10/00) P. A20; New findings from a study of more than 128,800 women suggest that women with normal Pap smear results can wait up to three years for their next screening. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, women with normal results have a very low risk of cervical cancer, whether they waited nine months or th
Teens' Sex Questions Reveal Cluelessness: Web Site Finds Much Confusion Over the Basics: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (11/13/00) P. 8D; Elias, Marilyn; Many American teenagers are ignorant about basic issues about sex, ranging from arousal to pregnancy, according to questions posted on a popular Web site. The teen sexuality site www.sxetc.org, which is sponsored by Rutgers University, receives basic questions from teens nationwide. Danene Sorace, the program manager o
Mating and the Immune System: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (11/13/00) P. A11; A study of 41 primate species by Charles Nunn of the University of Virginia and colleagues found that primates with the highest numbers of sexual partners had the most disease- fighting white blood cells. The research suggests that immune systems evolved to prevent diseases transmitted that animals may be exposed to vi
U.S. Priorities--HIV Prevention: Science (www.sciencemag.org) (10/27/00) Vol. 290, No. 5492, P. 717; Catania, Joseph A.; Morin, Stephen F.; Canchola, Jesse; et al.; Scientists at the Center for AIDS Prevention Studies at the AIDS Research Institute in San Francisco make suggestions on how to allocate prevention resources for AIDS patients. Based on data from surveys conducted in San Francisco, including the Young Men s Health Study and Urban Men s Health Study, HIV incidence fell
HIV Lipodystrophy With Exercise Works Best: AIDS Alert (www.ahcpub.com) (10/00) Vol. 15, No. 10, P. 126; A study from Nicholaos Bellos of Bellos Southwest Infectious Disease of Dallas shows that steroids, exercise, and diet changes are useful treatments for AIDS-related lipodystrophy. Patients who follow a regimen to fight fat redistribution can be helped by these treatments, according to Bellos. Interim data from his stu
Indian Doctor Demands Ministry of Sex to Tackle AIDS: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (11/08/00); Dr. Prakash Kothari, a prominent Indian doctor, reportedly has recommended the creation of a Ministry of Sex to the AIDS epidemic in India. Speaking at a seminar in Chandigarh this week, Kothari said the country will see an explosion in HIV cases if it continues to ignore the disease. Furthermore, he asserted that if t
[Botswana] President: AIDS May Be Responsible for Half of Natural Deaths: CNN Online (www.cnn.com) (11/08/00); Botswana s president, Festus Mogae, claims that AIDS is responsible for at least half of the country s natural deaths. Mogae told Parliament that he wanted to review government AIDS strategies, noting that the killer disease had raised the national human toll to nightmarish proportions. According to the United Nations,
Blood Donor Checks in 1980s Hampered, Says [Canadian] Red Cross: Edmonton Journal Online (www.edmontonjournal.com) (11/08/00); Bueckert, Dennis; The Canadian Red Cross had a hard time screening high-risk blood donors in 1983, according to an attorney for the agency, because it was not acceptable then to ask men if they had sex with other men. Attorney Peter Boekle defended the Red Cross policies during the early years of the AIDS epidemic before the Supreme Cou
Tax Relief Plan to Help Third World Buy Vaccines: Financial Times (www.ft.com) (11/09/00) P. 6; Parker, Andrew; The British government has proposed tax relief for drug companies to help reduce the cost of vaccines in poor countries. The Treasury is looking into a new tax incentive that would help ensure the supply of tuberculosis, malaria, and AIDS drugs to developing nations. Chancellor Gordon Brown created the tax relief plan
Antiretrovirals Do Not Independently Affect T-Cell Count in HIV-Negative Subjects: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (11/07/00); A study from Drs. Vincenzo Puro and Giuseppe Ippolito of the National Institute for Infectious Diseases in Rome notes that antiretroviral drugs do not have a direct effect on T-cell counts in HIV-negative patients. The research, published in the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes (2000;24:440-443), goes ag
OraSure Gets $1 Million Grant to Make Test for Syphilis: Allentown Morning Call Online (www.mcall.com) (11/09/00); Berg, Christian; OraSure Technologies has received a $1 million grant to create an oral test for syphilis. The grant, from the National Institutes of Health, will help the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania- based company develop a test that works in under 20 minutes. OraSure hopes to sell the oral syphilis tests by fall of 2001. Company CEO Robe
"Group Roams Chat Rooms to Talk to Gay Men About AIDS: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (11/09/00) P. E8; Gaither, Chris; The Stop AIDS Project, a San Francisco-based nonprofit agency that has fought AIDS since the early 1980s, is now taking its campaign to Internet chat rooms that are popular with gay men. To that end, the city s Department of Public Health recently awarded the group $130,000 for the online project. Specifically, the res
Kissing and Herpes Virus: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (11/09/00) P. A8; New findings published in today s New England Journal of Medicine (2000;343:1369-1377) show that a form of herpes virus may be spread through kissing. Herpes virus 8 causes an AIDS- related skin cancer known as Kaposi s sarcoma. John Pauk and colleagues from the University of Washington tested 39 gay men who were infec
Cambodia on AIDS Alert Ahead of Water Festival: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (11/07/00); The annual water festival in Phnom Penh, Cambodia , will be under close watch by police, who want to discourage thousands of visitors from entering brothels. Municipal police chief Suon Chheangly said police will stand outside brothels to prevent visitors and reduce the risks of HIV. Prime Minister Hun Sen urged visit
ASEAN Seeks to Thrash Out Joint AIDS Strategy Amid Fears of Epidemic: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (11/08/00); Kirby, Steve; Experts at the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) have opened a four-day meeting in Hanoi to discuss how to control AIDS in their regions. Vietnamese Health Minister Do Nguyen Phuong stated that AIDS is rapidly growing in Asia, although HIV detection rates remain low among the general population. Risk grou
Vietnam Estimates 165,000 With HIV by Year End: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (11/07/00); Vietnam s deputy head of the national AIDS committee estimates that 140,000 to 165,000 people will be infected with HIV by the end of 2000. Nguyen Chung A reported that more than 26,300 cases of HIV have been diagnosed, and 4,305 people have developed AIDS. While the statistics are much lower than what some experts had
HIV Epidemic Among Homosexuals, Drug Users Probably Had Different Sources: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (11/07/00); A study from Dr. Carla Kuiken of Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico suggests that the HIV epidemic among homosexuals and intravenous drug users in the West could have different sources. Kuiken and colleagues report in the American Journal of Epidemiology (2000;152:814-822) that they evaluated HIV-1 variants a
Program Helps Parents Discuss AIDS With Children: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (11/07/00); A program called Talking with Kids About HIV/AIDS helps parents reach their children before adolescence. The program involves six two-hour sessions that use role-playing and games to teach parents how to talk to their children about sex and AIDS. Dr. Jennifer Tiffany of Cornell University, where the program was created
A Few TB Patients Spread Contagion: San Francisco Examiner (www.examiner.com) (11/07/00) P. A15; Winokur, Scott; States can quarantine or incarcerate individuals who pose public-health threats. In the case of tuberculosis (TB), the failure to complete treatment can result in multidrug- resistant disease, which can then be spread to others. While jail is an option for extremely difficult-to-treat patients, Dr. Robert Benjamin, med
Condom Machines to Be Fitted [in Thailand]: Bangkok Post Online (www.bangkokpost.com) (11/07/00); Assavanonda, Anjira; Provincial health officers in Phayao, Thailand , plan to install condom vending machines throughout the region to help reduce the risk of HIV infection among local residents. The machines would provide greater access to condoms for teens, farmers, and others. Phayao has the nation s highest HIV rate, with 95 percent of
Seaweed Gel May Prevent Transmission; 165 Women Taking Part in Clinical Testing Program [in Thailand]: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com) (11/08/00); A new study of a seaweed gel that researchers hope will prevent the sexual transmission of HIV involves 165 women in Chiang Rai, Thailand . Dr. Khanchit Limpkanjanawat, the co- director of the HIV/AIDS Collaboration, which is being conducted with the Population Council, said the study will assess the safety of carragu
Realistic Priorities for AIDS Control: Lancet (www.thelancet.com) (10/28/00) Vol. 356, No. 9240s, P. 1525; Nandy, Shailen; Scott, Robert; A letter from two scientists at the School for Policy Studies at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom , responds to Ainsworth and Teokul s report on the effectiveness of national AIDS control programs in undeveloped countries. Shailen Nandy and Robert Scott note that the report did not mention the World Bank
Perinatal Guidelines Updated: HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Services (ATIS) (hivatis.org); The HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Services (ATIS) announces the Perinatal HIV Guidelines Working Group has updated the information in the Public Health Service Task Force Recommendations for the Use of Antiretroviral Drugs in Pregnant HIV-1 Infected Women for Maternal Health and Interventions to Reduce Perinatal HIV-1
Latin America, Caribbean Not Confronting AIDS Crisis, Says U.N.: CNN Online (www.cnn.com) (11/06/00); On Monday, UNAIDS director Peter Piot, speaking before a regional AIDS conference in Brazil , urged Latin America and the Caribbean to face their AIDS epidemics and take on issues like gay sex and condoms. Piot praised Brazil s response to the problem, but noted that other countries in Latin America are doing nothing t
AIDS Smothers African Kingdom; Swaziland: AIDS Is Destroying a Nation: Baltimore Sun (www.sunspot.net) (11/04/00) P. 1A; Murphy, John; Swaziland , located between South Africa and Mozambique , has been ineffective at responding to the AIDS epidemic thus far. The latest measures involved parliament banning miniskirts in schools to reduce sex between teachers and students. AIDS activists in Swaziland struggle against the country s tr
Concern Grows Over AIDS Rate Among Priests: Kansas City Star (www.kcstar.com) (11/05/00) P. A1; Thomas, Judy L.; The growing number of priests who have died from AIDS has been documented by the Kansas City Star, based on estimates from experts and priests. The Star has identified over 300 AIDS- related deaths among priests nationwide, using death certificates and interviews with family members and colleagues; however, the actual
Women Initiate Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Later Than Men: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (11/06/00); Dr. A. Mocroft from University College London and colleagues analyzed treatments for patients at an HIV clinic in Southern Alberta, Canada . The researchers found that equal access to healthcare does not mean equal treatment occurs for men and women who have HIV. The study, published in the Journal of Acquired Immune D
Net Search for Sperm Brings High Risk Home: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (11/07/00) P. 10D; Rubin, Rita; Women who seek artificial insemination often want to perform it at home. However, most very few sperm banks--and none in Canada--will ship directly to patients. Because of this, Jacqueline Beaudoin of Ontario started an Internet mailing list to match male donors with women looking for donors. The Web practice raises se
Nurse in Malawi Wages War on AIDS and Apathy: New York times (www.nytimes.com) (11/07/00) P. A12; Crossette, Barbara; Nurse Catherine Phiri of Malawi contracted HIV during the rule of Hastings Kamuzu Banda, who prohibited any public discussion of the disease. When a democratic government took over in 1994, Phiri founded a support group for anyone affected by HIV, and last month, she received a Race Against Poverty Award from the Unite
Clinton Signs Legislation for 3rd World Debt Relief: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (11/07/00) P. A13; President Clinton signed a foreign aid bill on Monday that gives $435 million to forgive the debts of the poorest nations. By lifting the weakest, poorest among us, we lift the rest of us as well, the president said. The money was included in a nearly $15 billion foreign aid measure that included $300 million to fight
For Mass. Nurse With HIV, New Needle Law Is Bittersweet: Boston Globe Online (www.boston.com/globe) (11/07/00) P. B3; Barnard, Anne; President Clinton signed a bill on Monday that requires hospitals and clinics to use safer needles and needle disposals systems. The Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act was passed in large part due to the efforts of nurse Karen Daley, who contracted HIV and hepatitis C from a needle prick two years ago. Daley, a nurs
HIV Seroprevalence by Anonymous Testing in Patients With Mycobacterium Tuberculosis and in Tuberculosis Contacts: Lancet (www.thelancet.com) (10/28/00) Vol. 356, No. 9240, P. 1488; Bowen, E. Frances; Rice, Phillip S.; Cooke, Nigel T.; et al.; A study of HIV prevalence among patients with tuberculosis (TB) in south London revealed the ethnic origin and number of patients with TB who were tested for HIV-1. Coinfection rates for TB and HIV range from 18 percent to 23 percent in New York and Los Angeles. A survey of three south London chest clinics showed that
Association of Vitamin A Deficiency With Cervical Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions in HIV-Infected Women: Journal of Infectious Diseases Online (www.journals.uchicago.edu/JID) (10/00) Vol. 182, No. 4, P. 1084; French, Audrey L.; Kirstein, Lynn M.; Massad, Stewart; et al.; Researchers from Rush Medical College and other medical centers evaluated serum retinol concentrations in a group of more than 1,300 women in an effort to find a link between vitamin A deficiency and cervical squamous lesions (SILs) in HIV-infected women. At the start, 204 women had vitamin A (retinol) deficiency and 2
Struggling for Justice, a Tribe Is Revived; Brazil's Panara Gain Home, Win Lawsuit Against Government: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (11/06/00) P. A24; Buckley, Stephen; The Panara tribe of western Brazil has slowly recovered its cultural traditions, after being displaced in the 1970s to make way for a huge national park. Government officials in the country recently upheld a ruling to provide the Panara with 1 million forested acres to live on, hopefully allowing them to thrive and gro
Communities: A Colorful Van Is the Bait to Reach Street Youth [in New York]: New York Times--Westchester Weekly (www.nytimes.com) (11/05/00) P. 5; Rowe, Claudia; A colorful 32-foot van in Dobbs Ferry, New York, works as a street outreach center for young people. Luz Bovell is the outreach director for the Children s Village residential treatment center, which is a nonprofit youth home for children with severe needs. The Street Wise van teaches teens about contraception, disease
HIV Shown to Hide Out in the Kidneys: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (11/03/00); Mulvihill, Keith; Researchers, led by Dr. Paul Klotman of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, have found that HIV can directly infect human kidney cells. Klotman and colleagues discovered the infected kidney cells in HIV-positive African Americans who had kidney disease related to their immunocompromised status. There was ev
U.N. to Hold Special Session on AIDS Next June: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (11/03/00); The United Nations General Assembly has decided to hold a special session on HIV/AIDS next June as part of an effort to secure a global commitment to fight AIDS. The meeting, to be held from June 25 to 27, will focus on AIDS in Africa, international funding and cooperation, and human rights and AIDS. Statistics from th
US Surgeon General Calls for Global Efforts on AIDS: Africa News Service (www.africanews.org) (11/05/00); U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher urged for a global effort to fight HIV/AIDS, speaking at the international AIDS conference in Nashville, Tenn., over the weekend. Over 20 million of the 35 million people infected with HIV live in Africa, said Satcher, who asserted that the world has a responsibility to help with the
WHO Chief Tells Russia to Take Action on TB, AIDS: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (11/03/00); FitzGerald, Tara; The head of the World Health Organization , Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, has called on Russia to take action against tuberculosis (TB) and AIDS. The official noted Friday that aggressive measures are needed, as the number of recorded HIV infections in the country has doubled each year since 1995, for a total of 60,000 th
Millions Fail to Get Vital AIDS Medicines; UCSF Finds Medicaid Isn't Delivering in 4 Big States: San Francisco Chronicle (www.sfgate.com) (11/04/00) P. A1; Levy, Dan; A study conducted by the University of California at San Francisco s (UCSF s) AIDS Policy Research Center has found that millions of poor and uninsured AIDS patients are not receiving treatments through federal drug programs. Millions of low-income people covered by Medicaid in four major states are not receiving AIDS
China Struggles to Cope With Explosion of Sex Diseases: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (11/06/00); The China Daily reported that over 8 million Chinese have sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), according to experts, but the country lacks the health training and facilities to control the infections. Official statistics show that there are 840,000 cases of STDs in China. Zhang Guocheng, deputy head of the health mini
Preventing AIDS But Not HIV-1 Infection With a DNA Vaccine: Science (www.sciencemag.org) (10/20/00) Vol. 290, No. 5491, P. 463; Shen, Xuefei; Siliciano, Robert F.; Xuefei Shen and Robert F. Siliciano, scientists from the Department of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University, discuss a recent study by Barouch and colleagues about a vaccine to control AIDS. Although it is not known if a vaccine can prevent HIV infection, Barouch s study found that it is possible to control the virus t
Changing Demographics in HIV Infections: American Medical News (www.amednews.com) (10/30/00) Vol. 43, No. 40, P. 26; Shelton, Deborah L.; The AIDS epidemic is slowing in the United States , but not among African Americans and Hispanics, who account for over two-thirds of new HIV infections. African Americans represent over 50 percent of new infections, while African-American and Hispanic women account for 78 percent of new cases for women. Surgeon Genera
WHO Director-General Discussing Health Problems in Russia: Itar News Service (www.itar-tass.com) (11/02/00); Bazhenova, Anna; Tuberculosis (TB) has increased worldwide in the last 10 years, according to Gro Harlem Brundtland, director-general of the World Health Organization . Brundtland, speaking at the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, said, Russia has very many physicians, sanatoria, and clinics working on the tuberculosis problem, but
Prevalence of HIV-Associated Kaposi Sarcoma Growing in South Africa: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (11/01/00); The incidence of HIV-related Kaposi sarcoma is growing in South Africa , according to a report in the International Journal of Cancer (2000;88:489-492). A total of 4,883 patients with cancer or cardiovascular disease at three South African hospitals were tested for HIV, and the researchers determined the odds ratios fo
IV Drug Use Fuelling Southeast Asia's HIV-AIDS Epidemic: World Bank: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (11/03/00); Kurlantzick, Joshua; The rise in intravenous (IV) drug use is fueling an AIDS epidemic in southeast Asia, the World Bank said Friday. A cheap supply of heroin, growing poverty, and the effects of an economic crisis are contributing to the problem. Almost all south Asian countries except Cambodia have rising rates of drug use, said Chris Be
World Bank Says Thailand Must Adapt AIDS Strategy: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (11/03/00); Wong-Anan, Nopporn; The World Bank praised Thailand s success in fighting AIDS among sex workers, but it also called for the country s response to be flexible, focusing on new risk groups. World Bank Senior Economist Martha Ainsworth noted Friday that because the disease in Thailand has moved beyond sex workers to other groups of society,
Sayles Belton's Office Takes Action on Phony HIV Letters [in Minneapolis]: Minneapolis Star Tribune Online (www2.startribune.com) (11/03/00); Olson, Rochelle; The office of Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton has turned in letters to investigators that falsely claim to be from her office and wrongly inform people they have HIV. No one knows who wrote the letters, which include the mayor s name and address on the envelope. The return addresses were from a Target Store in F
Teen Pregnancy Ups Risk of Mother-to-Child HIV: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (11/02/00); Dr. Lynne Mofenson of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development reported recently at the American Academy of Pediatrics meeting in Chicago that HIV infection in teenage girls in the United States has not been reduced and is contributing to mother-to-child transmission of the virus. In the United Sta
Health Officials Urge Bovine TB Testing; Deer Processors, Taxidermists and Hunting Guides Are Being Advised to Get Checkups: Detroit News (www.detnews.com) (11/02/00) P. 1; Heinlein, Gary; Northeast Michigan health officials are asking that hunting guides and taxidermists get tested for bovine tuberculosis (TB), which, in theory, can spread from deer or cattle. Although no documented cases of that have occurred in the state, the risk is there, as bovine TB has been found in deer and cattle in 11 counties
Hepatitis C Numbers Alarm [Allentown] Health Bureau: Allentown Morning Call Online (www.mcall.com) (11/03/00); Wlazelek, Ann; Allentown, Pennsylvania, appears to have a major hepatitis C virus (HCV) threat, after 223 of 511 at-risk people tested had positive results. Allentown Health Director Barbara Stader said she was surprised by the 44 percent infection rate, since Allentown is not New York City or Philadelphia. Following federal health o
Shot to Pieces: New Scientist (www.newscientist.com) (10/21/00) Vol. 168, No. 2261, P. 11; Day, Michael; An epidemic of liver disease in Egypt has arisen due to past use of dirty needles in hospitals. About 20 million people a year worldwide contract hepatitis from unsafe injections. Eight million people in Egypt have hepatitis C, and about half of those cases can be traced to unsafe injections given 20 years ago. In
AIDS May Hurt South African Economy, Says Minister: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (11/01/00); South Africa s Finance Minister, Trevor Manuel, announced Wednesday that the country could see a major setback in the economy from the AIDS epidemic. Manuel told parliament that increased deaths will limit economic growth and pressure budgets. Hospitals are overcrowded with AIDS patients, left by their families who liv
South Africa: Campaign Prepares Prisoners for HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Africa News Service (www.africanews.org) (11/01/00); Matari, Michael; A new HIV/AIDS campaign in South Africa s Northern Province is targeting inmates to educate them about and prepare them for the epidemic outside of jail. Some of these people have spent many years in jail, so when they leave, they won t care who they come across, notes the supervisor of social workers in Thohoyandou Ce
Zambia: AIDS to Claim 2 Million Africans this Year: Africa News Service (www.africanews.org) (11/01/00); Gondwe, Kennedy; A joint press release from the United States and European Missions in Zambia estimates that 2 million people in Africa will die from AIDS this year, with another 1 million lives lost to malaria and tuberculosis. According to the statement, This health crisis in much of Africa contributes to a vicious cycle of disease a
Hepatitis C Tests Pressed; Search Under Way for Those Who Received Blood Prior to '92: Anchorage Daily News (www.adn.com) (11/01/00) P. 1B; Potempa, Ann; Thousands of Alaskans who received blood transfusions before 1992 will receive letters concerning hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing. Over 4 million Americans have HCV, including an estimated 11,000 Alaskans. Dr. Brian McMahon of the Alaska Native Medical Center notes that many residents have already received the letters.
Chlamydia Testing May Be Possible at Home: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (11/01/00); A study from Dr. Lars Ostergaard and colleagues at the University of Arhus, Denmark , shows that home tests for chlamydia could help prevent long-term complications of the infection. Chlamydia often produces no symptoms, and without treatment, the disease can lead to infertility. The study followed 930 female high sch
High-Profile Health Forum: Atlanta Journal and Constitution (www.accessatlanta.com) (11/02/00) P. 11A; Graham, Keith; An upcoming program sponsored by the Southern Center for International Studies, titled Health Challenges in America and Abroad, will include several current and past top health officials in the United States . Participants will include a number of former Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Surgeon General Dr. Dav
Across the USA: Michigan: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (11/02/00); Patients who had endoscopies at two hospitals in Jackson, Michigan, are being asked to return for HIV and hepatitis screening, after it was found that equipment used during the procedure was not correctly sterilized. Officials note, however, that the risk of infection for the more than 700 individuals is very low.
Teenagers Bounce Back Quickly After HIV Assault: AIDS Alert (www.ahcpub.com) (10/00) Vol. 15, No. 10, P. 127; Researchers in Philadelphia have found evidence that the immune systems of HIV-infected teenagers can rebound quickly after highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The research suggests adolescent patients have a more robust immune system, and we should start treating them very aggressively early on, said Dr. Ste
Number of Chinese HIV Carriers Up 37 Percent: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (11/01/00); As of the end of September, China had recorded 20,711 cases of HIV infection--a 37 percent increase compared to the same time last year. The Xinhua news agency, quoting the health ministry, said that most of the new HIV infections were among people between the ages of 20 and 29, with injection drug users accounting for
Across the USA: Missouri: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (11/01/00) P. 24A; A 19-year-old woman in Kansas City, Missouri, has won her case against a former boyfriend who did not tell her he had venereal diseases. The woman claimed that his failure to disclose the infection has made her need medical treatment for life. The decision may be appealed.
Teens Unaware of Cervical Cancer Virus Risks: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (10/31/00); A study from Dr. Diana Dell of Duke University Medical Center shows that high school students know little about human papillomavirus (HPV), which is linked to cervical cancer. Approximately 15 percent of sexually active adults in America and Canada have HPV, said Dell, who interviewed 523 inner-city students in Toronto
Bristol-Myers Says US OKs New Version of HIV Drug: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (10/31/00); The Food and Drug Administration has granted Bristol-Myers Squibb permission to sell a new once-a-day formula of its HIV treatment Videx that causes fewer adverse events, such as diarrhea. According to Bristol-Myers representative John Kouten, Videx EC is the only HIV treatment currently available in a once-daily formu
Comments on AIDS Weaken Mbeki: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (11/01/00) P. A10; Swarns, Rachel L.; South African President Thabo Mbeki s comments regarding AIDS have caused his approval rating to fall from 70 percent to 50 percent in the past year. Mbeki has questioned the link between HIV and AIDS--one that most scientists accept--and has suggested that poverty is a direct factor behind the disease. His frequent st
Few Drugs for the Needy: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (11/01/00) P. A1; Finkel, David; In the African country of Malawi , AIDS treatment consists of a hospital bed to lie in, for those who are lucky. For those who can afford better conditions, Mwaiwathu Private Hospital in Blantyre offers a clean bed, comfortable sheets, and for those who can afford it, dual drug therapy for AIDS. The total number of Ma
Scientists Report Bid to Block Publication of an AIDS Study: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (11/01/00) P. A10; Brown, David; Immune Response Corp., a California biotechnology company, reportedly tried to stop publication of an AIDS study by Dr. James Kahn of the University of California at San Francisco that discusses the use of Remune therapeutic HIV vaccine. The study is published in today s Journal of the American Medical Association
Adverse Effects of Antiretroviral Therapy: Lancet (www.thelancet.com) (10/21/00) Vol. 356, No. 9239, P. 1423; Carr, Andrew; Cooper, David A.; HIV-infected individuals who begin highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) should be aware of the drugs potential adverse effects and toxicities. AIDS patients are now using combination therapy for longer periods of time, which means more complications are being seen. Mitochondrial toxicity may start gradually, or
Project Links PCs to Fight AIDS: Healthy Living: Atlanta Journal and Constitution (www.accessatlanta.com) (10/31/00) P. 3D; McKenna, M.A.J.; A new distributive computing project called Fight AIDS at Home, www.fightaidsathome.org, uses existing connections on the Internet to link personal computers to a network that compares anti-AIDS drugs against genetic variations to find the best one. Downloadable software from Entropia allows personal computers to help
Study: AIDS Devastating Africa: Las Vegas Sun Online (www.lasvegassun.com) (10/30/00); Worldwatch Institute, an environmental research group, has found that AIDS in Africa is reducing life expectancy, lowering fertility, and leaving millions of orphans. According to Worldwatch Institute chairman Lester Brown, the epidemic is not being made the priority it should be, either in Africa or elsewhere. While
Cervical Shedding of CMV, HSV Higher Than Expected in HIV- Infected Women: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (10/27/00); A report in the October issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (2000;183:948-955) shows that the rate asymptomatic of shedding of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and cytomegalovirus ( CMV ) DNA from the genital tract of HIV-1- infected women is higher than once thought.
A Step Toward Creating an Edible Vaccine for Hepatitis B: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (10/31/00) P. D3; Scientists, led by Hugh Mason of Cornell University s Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research, have genetically engineered a potato with the hope of making it an edible vaccine for hepatitis B. The current vaccine is based on an antigen in yeast. According to Professor Mason, We have shown we can produce the same a
Sexual Abstinence Measure [in N.J.] Receives Criticism After Study: Bergen Record Online (www.bergen.com) (10/30/00); Cannon, Kathleen; Legislation proposed by New Jersey Assemblywoman Marion Crecco (R-Essex) has been criticized after a survey by Rutgers University found that most parents are satisfied with the present curriculum. Currently, students are informed about abstinence and contraception; however, Crecco s measure would have schools emphasize
HIV Also an Issue for Older People: Akron Beacon-Journal Online (www.ohio.com/bj) (10/30/00); Susan McCollum, counselor for Planned Parenthood of Stark County, Ohio, helps teach people over 50 about the risks of HIV. Older people are not immune to the virus, and must know its methods of transmission. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 10.9 percent of men with HIV and 9.4 of HIV-infect
[D.C.] Housing Complex Under TB Watch: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (10/31/00) P. B2; Goldstein, Avram; An elderly man who lives in public housing in Washington, D.C., has been diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB). As a result, health officials are now testing hundreds of residents and visitors to the housing unit on L Street. So far, TB skin tests have been administered to 184 elderly and disabled residents and others, and
Work Week: Needlestick Law Win May Inspire Health Care Workers to Press for More: Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com) (10/31/00) P. A1; Wood, Winston; Lawmakers last week approved a bill that requires healthcare facilities to use retractable syringes to prevent needle stick injuries to workers. Every year, there are over 500,000 accidental needle sticks, and more than 1,000 of those incidents lead to HIV or hepatitis C virus infection. The Service Employee Internatio
Evaluation of Etest for Susceptibility Testing of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis: Journal of Clinical Microbiology Online (www.jcm.asm.org) (10/00) Vol. 38, No. 10, P. 3834; Joloba, Moses L.; Bajaksouzian, Saralee; Jacobs, Michael R.; Researchers from Makerere University Medical School in Uganda and Case Western Reserve University compared the Etest method for susceptibility testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to the agar proportion method. The researchers found 100 percent categorical agreement between the tests for rifampin, ethambutol, streptom
99 Percent of Malaysian AIDS Patients Can't Afford Treatment: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (10/29/00); The Malaysian AIDS Council has asked the government to help provide therapy to AIDS patients, since only about 1 percent of the country s AIDS patients can afford the drugs. The treatments cost up to $526 a month, The Sun paper quoted Council President Marina Mahathir as saying. Mahathir, the daughter of Malaysia s pri
Ethiopian President Urges Efforts to Fight Spread of AIDS: CNN Online (www.cnn.com) (10/28/00); Ethiopian President Negasso Ghidada has called for efforts to slow the spread of HIV. He told a meeting of the National HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Council that the war against AIDS is not fully organized yet. The battle we are waging against the pandemic has not yet been properly organized, and until we prevail ov
HIV-Infected May Get TB Again and Again: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (10/27/00); HIV-infected people who contract tuberculosis (TB) are more likely to have relapses than individuals without HIV. A study of 233 patients, including 142 who were HIV-positive, found that those with HIV were more likely to have a relapse of TB, unless they were taking isoniazid. Researchers found that there were 7.8 rei
Depressed Gay Men Have More Unsafe Sex: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (10/27/00); Mozes, Alan; Dr. Gary Rogers, program director of The Care & Prevention Program, has found that sexually active gay men with long- term, low-grade depression are more likely to have unsafe sex than homosexual or heterosexual men without depression. Rogers studied over 400 gay men who were assessed for depression and sexual beha
High Rates of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Frustrate City Officials: St. Louis Post-Dispatch (www.stlnet.com) (10/28/00) P. 8; Riley, Marianna; St. Louis continues to have one of the highest sexually transmitted disease rates in the nation. The city is ranked eighth-highest for syphilis, third-highest for gonorrhea, and second-highest for chlamydia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hilda Adams, acting director of the St. Louis Healt
In Rural China, a Steep Price of Poverty: Dying of AIDS: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (10/28/00) P. A1; Rosenthal, Elisabeth; Small, rural towns in central China are experiencing an unreported epidemic of AIDS, with HIV rates of nearly 20 percent in some areas, according to covert research. Chinese officials deny there is a problem, however, and outside researchers are not allowed to study the topic. The high incidence is due to farmers selli
Research Implicates TB in 1918 Flu Pandemic: Los Angeles Times (www.latimes.com) (10/30/00) P. S2; A study from the University of California at Berkeley claims that the large number of the deaths in 1918, when a flu pandemic took the lives of some 500,000 Americans, was due to a concurrent outbreak of tuberculosis (TB). At the time, TB spread as factory employees worked in close, poorly ventilated situations. Based
Seven Transfused at Shizuoka Hospital in 1980s Have Hepatitis C: Kyodo News Service (home.kyodo.co.jp) (10/30/00); Seven young people given unheated imported blood products in Japan s Shizuoka Prefecture in the early 1980s have hepatitis C virus (HCV), hospital officials announced Monday. The infections were detected after a 20-year-old student, who had an operation at the hospital as an infant, was diagnosed with HCV infection ear
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Type 1 Antibodies in Perinatal HIV-1 Infection: Association With Human HIV-1 Transmission, Infection, and Disease Progression: Journal of Infectious Diseases Online (www.journals.uchicago.edu/JID) (10/00) Vol. 182, No. 4, P. 1243; Pitt, Jane; Henrard, Denis; FitzGerald, Gordon; et al.; A study of anti-HIV-1 antibodies involved 242 pregnant women and 238 infants, comparing perinatal transmission and infant disease progression. The researchers found that maternal anti-p24 and anti-gp120 antibodies were inversely associated with vertical transmission rates, independent of the mother s hard drug use, CD4
More Than One Million Zambians to Die From AIDS: PANA Wire Service (www.africanews.org/PANA) (10/25/00); A World Health Organization (WH0) representative said Wednesday that 600,000 Zambians have died from AIDS, with another 1.5 million deaths from the disease by 2015. According to WHO Representative in Zambia Edward Maganu, 20 percent of adults in Zambia are HIV positive and life expectancy has dropped from 56 to 38 year
Pharmaceutical Society Ends Confab [About TB]: Africa News Service (www.africanews.org) (10/26/00); During the two-day annual conference of the pharmaceutical society of Nigeria , National Publicity Secretary Uche Akpakama spoke about the need for tuberculosis (TB) awareness among pharmacists. He said the resurgence of the disease is related to such issues as poor nutrition, the AIDS epidemic, and poverty. The theme
Almost 25,000 HIV-Positive People in Vietnam: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (10/27/00); As of the end of September, Vietnam had recorded 24,473 cases of HIV, although the official statistics may represent just a fraction of the actual number of infections. Most of the cases are in Hanoi, Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City and Quang Ninh, an official from the national committee against AIDS said. The country s a
UNHCR to Help Refugees Fight AIDS at Camps: Africa News Service (www.africanews.org) (10/26/00); The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has allocated over $100,000 to fight AIDS in five Zambian refugee camps. According to officer Kelvin Shimo, $55,000 will go to Mwange in Northern Zambia, while $42,000 will be used in the Meheba refugee settlement; together, the settlements are host to more than 60,000
'Sperm Washing' Screens Out HIV: Calgary Herald (www.calgaryherald.com) (10/26/00) P. A5; Kirkey, Sharon; In Canada , six newborns have been born after their fathers took part in a procedure to wash HIV from their semen, an Italian doctor announced this week. The technique, invented by Dr. Augusto Enrico Semprini in Milan, claims to allow a woman to have a baby with an HIV-positive partner without passing on the infection.
HIV Levels in Semen Are Independent of Blood HIV: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (10/26/00); Patten-Hitt, Emma; A new study from Dr. Ann Anderson Kiessling of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston shows that HIV levels in semen are independent of blood HIV levels. Kiessling and colleagues measured virus levels in semen specimens from 12 HIV-infected men, two of whom were not taking antiviral therapy. The researchers
Pioneers of HIV, Gallo and Montagnier, Hope for Vaccine in Seven Years: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (10/26/00); A vaccine for HIV could be available in seven years, said HIV co-discoverers Robert Gallo and Luc Montagnier. Drs. Gallo and Montagnier were in Oviedo, Spain , to receive the Prince of Asturias prize for Scientific and Technical Research. According to Gallo, although it is not yet certain how or when an HIV vaccine wil
Senate Passes Bill on Needle Injuries: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (10/27/00) P. A9; The Senate passed a bill on Thursday to protect healthcare workers against needle stick accidents. Under the legislation, which has been cleared by the House and now heads to the president for his approval, hospitals and healthcare facilities must consider using safer medical devices to lower the number of needle injur
Progressive Infection in a Subset of HIV-1 Positive Chimpanzees: Journal of Infectious Diseases Online (www.journals.uchicago.edu/JID) (10/00) Vol. 182, No. 4, P. 1051; O'Neil, Shawn P.; Novembre, Francis J.; Hill, Anne Brodie; et al.; Researchers from Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center in Atlanta studied 10 chimps with chronic HIV infection. One developed AIDS, and three showed evidence of progressive HIV infection. The progressors had low T cell counts, significant CD4:CD8 inversion, and noticeable reduction in interleukin-2 receptor expressio
Russian Population Falls Daily: London Independent (www.independent.co.uk) (10/26/00) P. 18; Cockburn, Patrick; Russia is losing 1,000 people a day due to smoking, drinking, poverty, and an overall lack of health care. Life expectancy for Russian men has dropped to 59.9 years, compared to 72 for women, according to the Russian Academy of Medical Science. A growing number of Russians have diseases like tuberculosis, syphilis, h
Parents Find Subject of Sex 'Too Embarrassing': PA News (www.pressassociation.press.net) (10/25/00); Frith, Maxine; A survey conducted for the sexual health charity Marie Stopes International (MSI) indicates one in six parents in the United Kingdom have not talked about sex with their teens, even though 90 percent of parents believe they should be responsible for sex education. The study also found that 25 percent of parents with a
Immune Booster Helps HIV Patients, Study Says: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (10/25/00); Dr. Ronald Mitsuyasu, director of the University of California at Los Angeles AIDS Research and Education Center, announced at the fifth International Congress on Drug Therapy in HIV Infection that adding an immune booster to normal HIV therapy helps patients. Mitsuyasu and colleagues administered the immune booster in
Report: More San Diego AIDS Cases Involve Drug Use: Sacramento Bee Online (www.sacbee.com) (10/26/00); The San Diego County Health Department reports that a growing number of AIDS patients in the city are intravenous drug users or have had sex with injection drug users. According to the report, Cases attributable to directly injecting drugs and secondary spread to sexual partners and offspring account for a larger propo
House Oks Full $435 Million for Debt Relief: Bergen Record Online (www.bergen.com) (10/26/00); Abrams, Jim; The House has passed a foreign aid spending bill that supports President Clinton and the full $435 million he asked for to forgive the debts of many poor nations. The debt relief measure is part of a nearly $15 billion foreign aid bill for fiscal 2001 that also provides $300 million to fight HIV and AIDS worldwide and
Computer Model Reveals HIV Mutations That Affect Bristol- Myers's Stavudine: Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com) (10/26/00) P. B23; Louis, Meera; A computer model known as the neural network has identified patterns of mutations in HIV genes that make the virus resistant to stavudine , which is sold under the brand name Zerit by Bristol-Myers Squibb . Virco, a Belgian genomics company, will present these f
Web Marketer Pleads Guilty to Selling Flawed HIV Test Kits: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (10/26/00) P. A4; Web marketer Stanley Lapides, who sold the Ana-Sal HIV home test kit over the Internet, has pleaded guilty to selling an inaccurate and unapproved test. Hundreds of people bought the home test kit, which has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ). According to the Web site selling the tests, the
New Guidelines for Prenatal AIDS Fight: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (10/26/00) P. 10D; Healy, Michelle; UNAIDS said Wednesday that drugs to reduce the risk of HIV transmission to newborns should be offered to all HIV-infected pregnant women who are about to deliver. In the past, it was suggested that the drugs be given only for small pilot studies and other research; however, use of
Spoligotyping and Polymorphic GC-Rich Repetitive Sequence Fingerprinting of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Strains Having Few Copies of IS6110: Journal of Clinical Microbiology Online (www.jcm.asm.org) (10/00) Vol. 38, No. 10, P. 3572; Yang, Z.H.; Ijaz, K.; Bates, J.H.; et al.; Researchers from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System evaluated IS6110 fingerprinting for use in sequencing genes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. A total of 88 isolates were used; they revealed 34 different IS6110 patterns. The data show that the pTBN12 fingerpr
For Post-Industrial Scots, Drugs to Die For: Philadelphia Inquirer (www.phillynews.com) (10/23/00) P. A1; Gerlin, Andrea; Heroin addiction has become an epidemic in Glasgow, Scotland, where over 100 addicts a day come to the Drug Crisis Center to exchange dirty needles for clean ones. Glasgow has an estimated 10,000 heroin addicts, and 70 people die from overdoses every year. Based on a study of 280 Scottish inmates last year, heroin was
Approval for Glaxo HIV Drug: Financial Times (www.ft.com) (10/24/00) P. 32; Pilling, David; Glaxo Wellcome s HIV drug Agenerase has been approved in Europe for AIDS patients who have failed other treatments. The protease inhibitor, which was discovered by Vertex, has already been approved in the United States . The drug can be taken without food or water restrictions.
Judge Gives Tattoo Artists Shot in the Arm: Boston Herald (www.bostonherald.com) (10/24/00) P. 1; Weber, David; A Superior Court Judge has overturned Massachusetts ban on tattooing, saying it is a form of free speech. Judge Barbara Rouse, who noted that tattooing is the sixth-fastest growing retail business nationwide, wrote in her decision that the Constitution looks beyond written or spoken words as mediums of expression. Exhi
Groups Get Grants to Improve Health: Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel (www.sun-sentinel.com) (10/24/00) P. 3B; The Florida Department of Health has announced $10 million in grants to various community groups through 2002. Areas in which the grants will be used include infant mortality, HIV/AIDS, immunizations, diabetes, and cancer. One grant went to the Hope House of Palm Beach, which received $100,000 to provide HIV interventi
Diplomatic Dispatches: Alert to Links Between Poverty and AIDS, U.N. Honors Voice From the Islands: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (10/25/00) P. A20; Boustany, Nora; Four people received the U.N. Development Program s Fourth Annual Race Against Poverty Award earlier this week, including AIDS activist Maire Bopp Dupont of Tahiti. Bopp Dupont, originally a radio journalist, discovered two years ago that she was infected with HIV. She has since become an AIDS advocate for Tahiti, whic
Companies Reach AIDS Drug Deal With Senegal: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (10/24/00); Reaney, Patricia; Glaxo Wellcome has made a deal with Senegal to sell anti-AIDS drugs for a reduced price as part of an initiative announced several months ago by five pharmaceutical companies to provide more affordable drugs to Africa. Glaxo will offer Retrovir, Epivir , an
South Africa Sees Scant Role for Key Drugs in AIDS Fight: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (10/24/00); Swindells, Steven; South Africa s Health Minister, Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, announced Tuesday the country s new guidelines for fighting AIDS, which include limits on the availability of anti-AIDS drugs like AZT . Under the new guidelines, the costly drugs will not be available to pregnant women trying to prevent HIV transmission to thei
Across the USA: Kentucky: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (10/25/00) P. 14A; In Jefferson County, Kentucky, the rate of syphilis cases last year was about four times the overall rate for the state, although it was down from 1998. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 67 cases of syphilis reported in the county in 1999, for a rate of 10 cases per 100,000 people.
Interactions Between Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection in African Women: Opportunities for Intervention: Journal of Infectious Diseases Online (www.journals.uchicago.edu/JID) (10/00) Vol. 182, No. 4, P. 1090; Mbopi-Keou, Francois-Xavier; Gresenguet, Gerard; Mayaud, Philippe; et al.; A study by researchers from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the Central African Republic evaluated the relationships between herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and HIV-1 in 300 women in Bangui, Central African Republic. Blood samples were tested for syphilis, HIV, HSV, and levels of vitamins A and E
Cheap Thai Drugs Bound for S. Africa: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com) (10/22/00); An activist group in South Africa , the Treatment Action Campaign, reportedly has begun smuggling Biosole, an illegal version of the AIDS medicine fluconazole, from Thailand . Fluconazole, sold by Pfizer for 280 baht in Thailand, treats diseases like meningitis and
South Africa Goes Back to Basics on AIDS: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (10/23/00); Swindells, Steven; The South African government promoted a simple message on safe sex in newspapers on Monday, asking citizens to abstain from sex, be faithful to their partner, and to use condoms. The simple ads are in contrast to the controversy that has swirled around the country in recent months, as President Thabo Mbeki questioned t
Incidence of AIDS-Related Lymphoma Remains Steady: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (10/20/00); Findings presented by Dr. Mark Bower and colleagues, from Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London, show that the incidence and survival of AIDS-related lymphoma has not significantly changed since the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). A study of 7,840 HIV-positive patients showed a decline in A
Researchers Find Possible New TB Vaccine Target: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (10/23/00); Fox, Maggie; Scientists from Epimune Inc., the University of California at Los Angeles, Harvard University, and elsewhere have found three proteins the body uses to recognize and fight tuberculosis (TB), which could lead to a new vaccine. The vaccine approach includes a new component in the immune system, CD8 cells, which play a ro
Tuberculosis Cases Hit 15-Year High: PA News (www.pressassociation.press.net) (10/24/00); Frith, Maxine; The number of tuberculosis (TB) cases in England and Wales is at a 15-year high, according to the British Thoracic Society (BTS). In 1999, 6,143 people were diagnosed with TB, versus 5,085 in 1987. London has over 4,000 cases a year, the most in any other large European city. However, only about 14 percent of the Unite
Lesbians Not Immune to Sexually Transmitted Infections: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (10/24/00); Australian researcher Dr. Katherine Fethers has reported that lesbians are just as likely as heterosexual women to contract sexually transmitted diseases like hepatitis and genital herpes . Fethers and colleagues from the Sexual Health Unit in Alice Springs found a higher prevalence of bacterial vaginosis, hepatitis C,
Drug Firms, Senegal Set HIV Drug Pact: Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com) (10/24/00) P. A3; Schoofs, Mark; Waldholz, Michael; The first country to reach an accord with drug makers after five leading pharmaceutical concerns pledged six months ago that they will provide HIV drugs to poor countries at a lower price, Senegal has negotiated drug price cuts with Bristol- Myers Squibb, Merck, and Glaxo Wellcome . Brist
Antiretroviral Resistance During Successful Therapy of HIV Type 1 Infection: Proceedings of the National Academy of Science Online (www.pnas.org) (09/26/00) Vol. 97, No. 20, P. 10948; Martinez-Picado, J.; DePasquale, M. P.; Kartsonis, N.; et al.; Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital and elsewhere evaluated antiretroviral resistance in individuals for whom antiretroviral therapy was successfully suppressing HIV-1 RNA to less than 50 copies. The five subjects showed new resistant mutant subpopulations with evidence of residual virus replication during
Draft 5-Year Plan for HIV/AIDS Prevention Available for Public Comment: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a draft 5-year plan for HIV/AIDS prevention for public comment. The draft strategic plan was developed collaboratively by external consultants active in HIV/AIDS prevention and CDC staff. The draft five-year strategic plan details priority goals, objectives an
Care of HIV-Infected Inmates Benefits Public: AIDS Alert (www.ahcpub.com) (10/00) Vol. 15, No. 10, P. 121; HIV-infected drug users in prison need to receive prevention education and treatment that continues when they are released. John Miles, special assistant for corrections and substance abuse for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, explained that many people do not realize that when an inmate goes from a cont
Charity Campaigns for Cheaper AIDS Medicines: PA News (www.panews.com) (10/22/00); Poole, Keith; In an effort to obtain more resources and lower drug prices in the war against AIDS, the international charity VSO has launched a two-year campaign detailing the high number of HIV/AIDS patients in developing nations. Liz Orton, VSO s campaign manager, said, The situation in Africa is intolerable. ... In order for this
Age Important in Interpreting Surrogate Markers of HIV Infection in Treated Children: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (10/19/00); An analysis of five studies from the Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group by Dr. Jane Lindsey of the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston shows that age can affect clinical outcomes of children treated with antiretroviral drugs. The researchers found that lower virologic markers at baseline were independent predic
Joint Research Effort Focuses on Deadly Hepatitis C: Columbus Dispatch (www.dispatch.com) (10/22/00) P. 1A; Crane, Misti; The National Institutes of Health recently said that it would provide $6 million in first-year funding for a joint research effort into the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Included in the national study are researchers from Children s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. The scientists hope to determine why certain people can overcome
Business in Brief: Sequella: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (10/23/00) P. E2; A Maryland biotechnology firm that focuses on tuberculosis has won a $300,000 Challenge Grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to continue working on a compliance-monitoring device that helps patients take their medication as directed. Sequella s monitor is worn on the wrist and detects in
TB Outbreak Prompts Intensified Campaign: Rocky Mountain News Online (www.rockymountainnews.com) (10/20/00); Griffith, Dorsey; A tuberculosis (TB) outbreak that resulted in two deaths in Sacramento County, California, has prompted health officials to increase their campaign to screen the homeless. A cluster of 12 TB cases was seen in June. Since that time, the county has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to track down and treat nearly 1,0
For the Record: [Ryan White CARE Act]: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (10/21/00) P. A4; President Clinton has signed a bill that reauthorizes the Ryan White CARE Act, providing over $1 billion a year for AIDS prevention and treatment. The original law was named in honor of Ryan White, a young man with hemophilia who died in 1990 after contracting HIV from a blood transfusion.
Universities' Rift Over AIDS Vaccine Defused: Financial Times (www.ft.com) (10/23/00) P. 6; Turner, Mark; Oxford University s medical research council has backed away from a possible intellectual property dispute with the University of Nairobi regarding joint research on an AIDS vaccine. Nairobi media reportedly protested when Oxford filed for a patent application for the vaccine without telling its Kenyan partners. Andrew
A Proposed National Policy on Health Care Workers Living With HIV/AIDS and Other Blood-Borne Pathogens: Journal of the American Medical Association (www.jama.com) (10/18/00) Vol. 284, No. 15, P. 1965; Gostin, Lawrence O.; In 1991, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that all healthcare workers (HCWs) with HIV inform all patients of their HIV status before performing exposed procedures. Since 1991, new evidence shows that the risk of transmitting blood-borne pathogens in healthcare areas is very low, suggesting a c
PNG Has an HIV Epidemic: QLD Health: Australian Broadcasting Corp. News (www.abc.net.au) (10/19/00); At the 10th South Pacific Nurses Forum, Queensland Health s Chris Barron reported that Papua New Guinea is dealing with an HIV epidemic, with a 30 percent increase in infections in the past year. Proper testing and treatments are not available, Barron said. In addition to HIV, the official warned that tuberculosis is
South African Government Condemns Illegal Import of Cheap AIDS Drugs: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (10/19/00); South African Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang has criticized AIDS activists in her country for importing low- cost drugs for AIDS-related conditions. Earlier this week, the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) said that it had imported 5,000 Biozole capsules, a cheaper form of Pfizer s Fluconazole, from
Britain Calls for Cheap Vaccines for World's Poor: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (10/19/00); Britain has urged governments and pharmaceutical companies to join forces and reduce drug prices in developing regions. International Development Secretary Clare Short said Thursday that only 10 percent of global research funds are targeted at the 90 percent of disease burden that affects the poorest people. Short call
Nonprofit Gets Funding to Improve Third-World Health: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (10/19/00); Management Sciences for Health (MSH) has received $186 million from the U.S. Agency for International Development to work on three projects in developing nations. MSH, based in Boston, will work on improving healthcare in poor countries and increasing vaccination among children. Approximately half of the grant will go
Battling a Silent Disease, Summit Focuses on Getting the Word Out About Hepatitis C: Seattle Post-Intelligencer (www.seattle-pi.com) (10/19/00) P. B1; Heckman, Candace; The Washington Hepatitis C Coalition met on Wednesday, discussing the topics of prevention, treatment, and counseling for people with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Awareness of the infection is crucial, as health officials estimate 200 people in the state will die from HCV infection this year, the majority unaware of their
A Cure for Apathy in AIDS Crisis: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (10/20/00) P. C1; Frazier, Lisa; The Africare benefit dinner on Wednesday night honored World Bank President James D. Wolfensohn for his service to Africa and his determination to fight the AIDS epidemic there. The dinner brought together over 2,000 politicians and diplomats in Washington, D.C. In a videotaped message, President Clinton spoke about Af
Satcher Warns of New AIDS Casualties: United Press International (www.upi.com) (10/19/00); Surgeon General David Satcher warned Thursday that HIV cases are soaring among African Americans and Hispanics. Speaking at a conference on AIDS and Communities of Color in San Antonio, Satcher said that African Americans and Hispanics account for 69 percent of new HIV cases, even though they make up just 23 percent of
New Kind of Vaccine, Made of DNA, Controls AIDS Virus in Early Tests on Monkeys: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (10/20/00) P. A18; Kolata, Gina; A new vaccine made of DNA has shown promising results in controlling HIV in monkeys. Initial results from a study by Dr. Norman Letvin of Harvard Medical School and colleagues indicate that the vaccine was able to keep the monkeys healthy after they were infected with HIV, maintaining a low viral load so that HIV was u
Concurrent and Sequential Acquisition of Different Genital Human Papillomavirus Types: Journal of Infectious Diseases Online (www.journals.uchicago.edu/JID) (10/00) Vol. 182, No. 4, P. 1097; Thomas, Katherine K.; Hughes, James P.; Kuypers, Jane M.; et al.; While coinfection with many types of human papillomavirus virus (HPV) has been reported, it is now known how frequently this happens. A study of 518 women conducted by scientists at the University of Washington at Seattle followed women for about three years, collecting cervical samples every four months to test for th
A Killer on the Run: New Scientist (www.newscientist.com) (09/30/00) Vol. 167, No. 2258, P. 18; Ainsworth, Claire; New findings from researchers at the University of British Columbia and TerraGen Discovery in Vancouver show that tuberculosis (TB) has a weak spot. The teams discovered chemicals that inhibit bacterial enzymes called protein kinases. Testing a number of chemicals on Streptomyces, a bacterium distantly related to TB, s
AIDS Misconceptions Spawn Coca-Cola Remedy in Malaysia: Kyodo News Service (home.kyodo.co.jp) (10/19/00); Lack of knowledge regarding AIDS is creating unsafe misconceptions in Malaysia . According to the Sun newspaper, the Sarawak AIDS Network (SAN) said that some prostitutes believe they can prevent HIV infection by using Coca-Cola as a disinfectant. The sex workers and their partners reportedly spray the soda on their ge
Botswana Receives UN Funds to Fight HIV/AIDS: PANA News Agency (www.africanews.org/PANA) (10/18/00); Under the terms of two agreements it signed with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS ( UNAIDS ), Botswana will receive $9.08 million for HIV prevention efforts. The UNFPA deal will give Botswana $7.9 million over the course of five years, with the funds coming fro
Bacterial Infection Increases HIV Infection Through Upregulation of Viral Coreceptors: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (10/17/00); Agrawal, Alka; Researchers from the Netherlands , led by Dr. Tom van der Poll, have found that concurrent bacterial infection can encourage HIV replication through upregulation of chemokine receptors on T cells. Van der Poll and colleagues at the University of Amsterdam injected eight HIV-negative volunteers with lipopolysaccharide,
Prostitute Crusader Gets Grant to Study Transgender HIV Rate;: Vancouver Sun (www.southam.com/vancouversun) (10/18/00) P. B5; Howell, Mike; Health Canada has granted C$30,000 to a group of Vancouver activists to help them study HIV rates among transgendered and transsexual prostitutes in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. Jamie Lee Hamilton, who used to be out on the streets working as a transgendered prostitute and who was charged with having a common bawd
Gay, Bisexual Men Not Getting Hepatitis Vaccines: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (10/18/00); Cunningham, Chris; A study conducted for the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) shows that gay and bisexual men are not getting vaccinated against hepatitis A and B. The survey of 2,566 men revealed that only 35.5 percent had received the two shots to prevent hepatitis A, although that number is up from 22.3 percent in the previo
Teen Pregnancy, HIV, STD Prevention Program Proves Cost- Effective: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (10/17/00); A new study in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (2000;154:1017-1024) shows that a school-based pregnancy, HIV, and sexually transmitted disease prevention program among high school students can save money. Dr. Margaret Davis of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention led the study, which evalua
Survey Sees Condom-Less Casual Sex Rising: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com) (10/18/00); Up to 12 percent of Thai men aged 16 to 24 do not use condoms during casual sex, according to a Durex survey of 18,000 sexually active people in 27 countries. The study found that, on average, about 28 percent of Thais use condoms, while 25 percent used oral contraceptives to prevent pregnancy. The survey s results sho
Health Care: Production of Rapid HIV Test Kit Halted: Atlanta Journal and Constitution (www.accessatlanta.com) (10/19/00) P. 2E; Abbott Laboratories Inc. has stopped production of its rapid HIV test kit due to manufacturing problems. In a letter to test consumers that was released Wednesday on the Food and Drug Administration s Web site, the company said it hopes to restart production within 30 days. The rapid test kits, the only such tests av
Effect of Pregnancy on Chronic Hepatitis C: A Case-Control Study: Lancet (www.thelancet.com) (10/14/00) Vol. 356, No. 9238, P. 1328; Fontaine, Helene; Nalpas, Bertrand; Carnot, Francoise; et al.; French researchers performed a study of pregnant women with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, comparing liver biopsy samples taken before and after delivery of the babies. Twelve pregnant women with HCV infection and 12 non-pregnant women with HCV took part in the study. The results revealed that pregnancy may worsen
AIDS-Linked Deaths in South African Prisons Soar: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (10/17/00); The number of AIDS-related deaths in South African prisons increased 300 percent between 1995 and 1999, and will likely only continue to rise, a new report claims. There have been over 1,000 natural deaths in South African prisons this year, with about 90 percent suspected to be from AIDS, according to Gideon Morris, s
Arizona-Based Company Sells Unapproved HIV Product in China: San Jose Mercury News (www.mercurycenter.com) (10/17/00); Feder, Barbara; Dorgan, Michael; Optima Worldwide Ltd., an Arizona company, stated in Chinese advertising campaigns that its contraceptive gel Surete could prevent HIV infection, promising the Chinese public something that was not backed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ). However in interviews with the San Jose Mercury News, the company
New Jersey Panel Clears Revised Rules for Sex Education in Public Schools: Newark Star-Ledger Online (www.nj.com/news) (10/17/00); A new bill in New Jersey would require teachers to stress abstinence in sex education and HIV prevention classes. The bill, sponsored by Assemblywoman Marion Crecco (R-Essex, would promote abstinence as the only completely reliable means of avoiding pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Opponents of the bill b
Solicitation of Sex on the Internet May Facilitate Transmission of STDs: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (10/16/00); A new report published in the journal Sexually Transmitted Diseases (2000;27:545-550) shows that the Internet may encourage faster and easier transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Dr. Sheana Bull of Denver Public Health and Dr. Mary McFarlane of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention visited 175 Inte
HIV-Positive Refugees Find a Home: INS Program Allows 14 to Settle in Boston: Boston Globe (www.boston.com/globe) (10/17/00) P. F3; Rodriquez, Cindy; Thousands of refugees with HIV await entry into the United States , many denied after U.S. Health and Human Services health workers test them for the virus. A change in immigration policy has allowed 14 HIV-positive refugees to enter and settle in Boston this year. Many of the refugees contract HIV during torture or in
Name-Based HIV Reporting Policies Do Not Deter Testing: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (10/16/00); Dr. Frederick Hecht and colleagues, of the University of California at San Francisco, have concluded that name-based reporting policies for HIV infection do not appear to deter HIV testing, although they could be related to delays in testing. According to their report in the journal AIDS (2000;14:1801-1808), a total of
Prince George's Council Rejects Needle Program for Addicts [in Maryland]: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (10/18/00) P. B1; Schwartzman, Paul; In Maryland, the Prince George s County Council has rejected with a vote of five to three a proposal to provide a needle exchange program to drug addicts. The needle exchange was cited as a way to prevent the spread of HIV; however, critics expressed concern that the program might send a message of tolerance regarding
HIV-Infected Doctors: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (10/18/00) P. A34; Health policy expert Lawrence Gostin of Georgetown University Law Center has stated that the government should not require HIV-positive doctors to tell their patients they are infected. Gostin, whose proposal is published in today s Journal of the American Medical Association (2000;284:1965-1970), noted that as the rul
Influence of Follicular Dendritic Cells on Decay of HIV During Antiretroviral Therapy: Proceedings of the National Academy of Science Online (www.pnas.org) (09/26/00) Vol. 97, No. 20, P. 10966; Hlavacek, William S.; Stilianakis, Nikolaos I.; Notermans, Daan W.; et al.; Investigators from the United States , Germany , and the Netherlands evaluated the role of HIV-1 on follicular dendritic cells in the process of decay of plasma virus as the result of antiretroviral therapy. Using a mathematical model for HIV-1 dynamics in lymphoid tissue, the researchers analyzed data fo
'History Will Judge Us Harshly If We Fail': IAPAC Monthly (www.iapac.org) (09/00) Vol. 6, No. 9, P. 256; Roehr, Bob; The 13th International AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa , brought together in July many leaders and AIDS experts from around the world. The meeting chronicled the growing number of infections among young people in Africa, as controversial words from South African President Thabo Mbeki rang in the ears of the med
[Wisconsin] AIDS Group to Help Low-Income People: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (www.jsonline.com) (10/16/00) P. 4G; The AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin received $1.2 million to help provide outpatient care to low-income people with HIV or AIDS. The federal grant will provide primary care for AIDS patients who have no access to medical care.
Hepatitis C Infection Increases Diabetes Risk: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (10/16/00); A new study from Johns Hopkins University shows that people age 40 or over who are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) have over three times the risk of type 2 diabetes. Shruti Mehta and colleagues evaluated over 9,800 adults, 2 percent of whom had HCV infection. According to their report in the Annals of Internal Me
Fetal Cardiac Function Seems Unimpaired by Vertical HIV Transmission: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (10/16/00); A report in the American Heart Journal (2000;140:575-584) shows that transmission of HIV to a fetus does not affect cardiac function in utero. Dr. Lisa Hornberger of Toronto s Hospital for Sick Children and colleagues studied 173 fetuses in 169 HIV-infected women, using fetal echocardiograms and measuring biparietal di
Many Give Herpes and Don't Know It: Arizona Daily Star Online (www.azstarnet.com) (10/17/00); Seebacher, Noreen; People can spread genital herpes without knowing they are infected. An estimated 25 percent of Americans have the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but many are not aware of their condition. Dr. Karl Beutner of the University of California at San Francisco estimates that up to 75 per
Fighting an Epidemic, Behind Bars; HIV-Positive Inmates Struggling to Survive [in Russia]: San Francisco Chronicle (www.sfgate.com) (10/16/00) P. A11; Ittner, Phil; There are approximately 700 HIV-infected inmates in the Kaliningrad regional penal system in Russia . Many were unaware that HIV was a risk when they began injecting heroin. Kaliningrad is sometimes considered the AIDS capital of Russia, with some 36,000 cases of HIV or AIDS in the city of more than 1 million people, a
An Innate Defense System: San Francisco Chronicle (www.sfgate.com) (10/16/00) P. A8; Russell, Sabin; Dr. Jay Levy of the University of California at San Francisco has an HIV-infected patient who appears very healthy but whose T-cell count is only 21. This patient--who hikes, bikes, and travels, and who does not take antiviral drugs--may represent the idea that the human immune system consists of the innate and adaptiv
South African Retreats From AIDS Debate: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (10/17/00) P. A10; Cauvin, Henri E.; South African President Thabo Mbeki reportedly has decided to back off from the debate over whether HIV causes AIDS, after sparking a firestorm of controversy earlier this year by questioning a link that most scientists accept. His comments have been criticized by AIDS activists and researchers worldwide. Now, accordin
UK Faces Rethink on AIDS Treatment: Nature (www.nature.com) (09/28/00) Vol. 407, No. 6803, P. 434; Birmingham, Karen; Britain s policy for treating AIDS could be affected by new research from Dr. Eric Rosenberg at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Harvard Medical School. Rosenberg and colleagues conducted a study which found that early drug therapy is best to fight HIV infection. Britain s policy has been to delay treatment unt
Draft 5-Year Plan for HIV/AIDS Prevention Available for Public Comment: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a draft 5-year plan for HIV/AIDS prevention for public comment. The draft strategic plan was developed collaboratively by external consultants active in HIV/AIDS prevention and CDC staff. The draft five-year strategic plan details priority goals, objectives an
Afghanistan a Source of Disease for Neighbors: Taliban: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (10/16/00); Afghanistan , ravaged by war, has become a source of diseases such as malaria, typhoid, polio, and tuberculosis (TB), according to Abdul Hakim Hakimi, head of the General Department for Curative Medicine. He said that drug-resistant TB is a problem in the Badghis and Ghor provinces. The official also noted,
'Age Isn't a Vaccine' Against HIV: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (10/16/00) P. 7D; Sternberg, Steve; Jane Fowler, thought HIV was a problem only for gay men, not for heterosexual divorces . The 64-year old woman became infected through a heterosexual encounter in which she did not insist on condom use because she was unaware of the risk. Fowler, the founder of the National Association on HIV Over 50, now devotes her t
All Benefit When AIDS Patients Take Their Medicine: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (10/16/00) P. 19A; Oransky, Ivan; Savitz, Sean I.; Many AIDS patients do not take their medications, with an estimated 20 percent to 50 percent failing to follow their prescribed therapies. Doing this raises the risk of developing drug-resistant strains of HIV, note Ivan Oransky and Sean I Savitz in a USA Today commentary. The Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS
Study Tracks STD Rates in Students: Sexually Active Students Between Ages 19 and 24 Wanted for First Major Study of Chlamydia: Ottawa Citizen (www.ottawacitizen.com) (10/16/00) P. B6; Sehdev, Inderjit; Sexually active college students in Ottawa, Canada , are being asked to take part in the area s first study of chlamydia for young adults aged 19 to 24. Students at Algonquin College, Carleton University, La Cite collegiale, and the University of Ottawa will be asked to participate in the Chlamydia 2000 study. The sexu
Washington in Brief: [The Senate]: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (10/14/00) P. A9; A new trade bill sponsored by Chairman William Roth Jr. (R- Del.) would ban imports of dog and cat fur products and gray market cigarettes. The measure includes a provision to temporarily suspend tariffs on the imports of two HIV treatments, DPC 961 and DPC 083.
Syphilis Rate in Indianapolis Appears to Be Improving: Deseret News (deseretnews.com) (10/14/00) P. A5; Indianapolis syphilis rate appears to be falling, after its peak as the nation s highest last year. The city recorded 407 cases of syphilis in 1999. However, the first nine months of this year show 250 recorded cases, down from 292 at this point last year. Dr. Virginia Caine, director of the Marion County Health Depart
Truth and Consequences: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (10/16/00) P. C4; Stepp, Laura Sessions; A new educational campaign from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy grabs the attention of teenagers with huge lettering of words like CHEAP and DIRTY. In the ads, the labels are printed across teens dressed in normal clothing, designed to get teenagers to think about the consequences of having sex. One ad
Heroin and Needles: Battling AIDS in Central Asia: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (10/16/00) P. A4; Frantz, Douglas; The rise of heroin addiction in Kyrgyzstan has resulted in a need for needle exchange programs, especially in the capital city, Bishkek. An estimated 80 percent of heroin in Europe arrives from Afghanistan and Pakistan , sent through the former Soviet republics.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection of Alveolar Macrophages Impairs Their Innate Fungicidal Activity: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (www.ajrccm.atsjournals.org) (09/00) Vol. 162, No. 3, P. 966; Ieong, Michael H.; Reardon, Christine Campbell; Levitz, Stuart M.; et al.; Researchers from the Pulmonary Center at Boston University School of Medicine evaluated the effects of HIV-1 infection on innate immunity through the study of cryptococcus neoformans (CN), a fungal pathogen. Alveolar macrophages are the first defense against CN. The scientists tested to see whether HIV impaired the mac
Up to 30,000 [Russian] TB Cases Enter Prisons Every Year: BBC News Summary of World Broadcasts (www.bbc.co.uk) (10/13/00); According to a report from the Itar-Tass news agency, as many as 30,000 tuberculosis (TB) patients enter Russia s detention and prison system every year. The news agency cited the first deputy head of the Russian Justice Ministry criminal and corrective department, Major-General Kamil Bakhtiyarov, who also said the num
Nearly Half of South African Adults Risk HIV Infection: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (10/12/00); Lovell, Jeremy; A professor of actuarial studies at the University of Cape Town has predicted that about half of all South African adults are at risk for HIV within the next 10 years unless significant changes are made. At a meeting of insurance assessors on Thursday, Rob Dorrington forecast that by 2010, life expectancy in South Afri
Raving Risky, Counselor Warns Students; Designer Drugs That Fuel Dance Parties Are One Problem, Violence, Unsafe Sex Are Others: Allentown Morning Call (www.mcall.com) (10/12/00) P. B2; Marshall, Genevieve; Raves, all-night dance parties often fueled by drugs like Ecstasy, have many dangers. Rene Lento, an addiction practitioner for Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol Intake Unit in Pennsylvania, believes raves may introduce teenagers to hard- core drugs, putting them at risk for addiction, unwanted pregnancy, and HIV infectio
Local AIDS Project Targets Gay Latinos [in Detroit]: Detroit News (www.detnews.com) (10/12/00) P. 14; Martindale, Mike; A new HIV prevention project is targeting homosexual Hispanic men in southeast Michigan. Craig Covey, director of the Midwest AIDS Prevention Project, said that even though the Hispanic population is the fastest-growing ethnic minority in this country, there have been no support programs for Hispanics who are gay. Cove
Weekly Checkup: Misconceptions About STDs: Indianapolis Star (www.starnews.com) (10/12/00) P. E6; A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals that many people have misconceptions about how to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Over 38 percent of patients interviewed said that urinating after sex can prevent STDs. Some patients also believed that using oral contraceptives or douchi
In Brief: [Digene HPV Test]: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (10/13/00) P. E5; Digene, a Maryland-based biotechnology company, reports that its DNA test for human papillomavirus (HPV) will be offered by the University of Arizona s Arizona Cancer Center. The test is also offered by the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, and Yale University. HPV is a major cause of cer
Older Women May Become Immune to HPV: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (10/12/00); New research from Dr. Susanne Kruger Kjaer of the Danish Cancer Society in Copenhagen, Denmark , shows that older women are less likely than younger women to be infected with human papillomavirus (HPV), even if they have an equal number of sex partners. This suggests that women can develop an immune response to fight
Congress Clears Breast and Cervical Cancer Bill: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (10/12/00); The House of Representatives has approved legislation that would let states provide Medicaid to uninsured women who use a federal screening program to detect breast or cervical cancer. The measure, passed by voice vote, will now be sent to President Clinton, who has said he will approve it. A different version of the b
HIV Misdiagnoses: Journal of the American Medical Association (www.jama.com) (10/11/00) Vol. 284, No. 14, P. 1777; Voelker, Rebecca; Spanish researchers have warned that symptoms of HIV can easily mistaken for endemic disease like Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF). The researchers detailed at the recent Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy the cases of four individuals who were diagnosed with MSF at a hospital outside of
Zambia Rejects 3.8 Billion Dollar Anti-AIDS Loan: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (10/11/00); Zambia s government has reportedly rejected a $3.8 billion loan offer from the World Bank to help fight HIV. Health Minister David Mpamba said Zambia cannot obtain any external loans because the country is failing to service the existing debt problem of the country. Mpamba told the Zambia Daily Mail that the government
Time of HIV Seroconversion Necessary for Accurate Survival Trend Estimates: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (10/10/00); Hendry, Joene; Dr. Kholoud Porter of the Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Unit in London has analyzed how HIV survival changes over time. Porter and colleagues studied data from 19 European seroconverter cohorts in the Concerted Action on SeroConversion to AIDS and Death in Europe study. The researchers note that of the more
Depressed Gay Men More Likely to Have Unsafe Sex: Australian Associated Press (aap.com.au) (10/11/00); A study from Adelaide University in Australia has found that gay men with long-term depression are nearly twice as likely to have unsafe casual sex as other gay men. The study of over 400 gay men found that 40 percent of the men with long-term, low-grade depression (dysthymia) said they engaged in unsafe casual sex in
Sexually-Transmitted Bacteria Is Unraveled: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (10/11/00); A team of scientists led by John Glass of the University of Alabama and the pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly report in the current issue of Nature that they have sequenced the genome for a sexually transmitted bacteria called Ureaplasma urealyticum. The parasite--which lurks in the urogenital tract--is the cause of a vari
Hill Panel Agrees to $25 Million for Metro: D.C. Spending Bill Limits Needle Program: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (10/12/00) P. B1; Fehr, Stephen C.; Negotiators in the House and Senate have agreed to pay $25 million in federal funds for a Metro station on New York Avenue, but the District of Columbia s spending bill once again ran into hurdles over a needle exchange program. Conservative House Republicans wanted to restrict the city s only privately financed needle
CDC Commits to End Racial Disparities in Healthcare: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (10/11/00); The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced a $19 million award to 24 community health programs, as part of an effort to help end racial and ethnic health disparities. CDC Director Dr. Jeffrey Koplan said the CDC wants to eliminate such health disparities by 2010. The grants are part of the agency s Ra
South Africans Criticize Leader's Views on AIDS: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (10/12/00) P. A18; Jeter, Jon; The people of South Africa are no longer quietly enduring President Thabo Mbeki s questioning of the HIV-AIDS link, and some are now displaying bumper stickers that say HIV Does Cause AIDS. Clerics, labor unions, and former leader Nelson Mandela have called for a consensus that HIV causes AIDS, urging Mbeki to offer an
Study Finds Poverty Deepening in Former Communist Countries: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (10/12/00) P. A3; A report from the European Children s Trust shows that 50 million children or more in Eastern Europe and Russia live in poverty, exposed to tuberculosis (TB) levels usually found in the developing world. The study, titled The Silent Crisis, asks the West to help through debt relief, noting that poverty in the region ha
Twice Weekly Isoniazid and Rifampin Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Canadian Plains Aborigines: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Online (www.ajrcc.atsjournals.org) (09/00) Vol. 162, No. 3, P. 989; McNab, Brian D.; Marciniuk, Darcy D.; Alvi, Riaz A.; et al.; A study from the University of Saskatchewan investigated six months of twice weekly directly observed isoniazid and rifampicin treatment for latent tuberculosis (TB) infection. A total of 591 aborigines never treated before received the therapy for six months. The outcome was compared to 403 others who self-administere
Infectious Diseases Continue to Cause More Deaths Than Natural Disasters: Infectious Diseases in Children (www.slackinc.com/idc.htm) (09/00) Vol. 13, No. 9, P. 85; A World Disasters Report issued by the International Federation of Red Cross and Crescent Societies shows that infectious diseases kill more people than earthquakes or floods. AIDS, malaria, diarrhea, and respiratory diseases killed 100 times as many victims of natural disasters last year. The report notes that disease
International Confab on Diseases to Take Place in December in Okinawa: Kyodo News Service (home.kyodo.co.jp) (10/11/00); An international conference on diseases like AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis has been scheduled for December 7 and 8 in Okinawa, Japan . Representatives from the Group of Eight countries will attend, as will groups like the World Health Organization and representatives from Asian and African nations.
AIDS Project Could Help Other CIS Nations: Russia Today Online (www.russiatoday.com) (10/10/00); Veena Lakhumalani is a health educator who has traveled from India to Ukraine to help teach sex workers to protect themselves from HIV infection. Up to 250,000 people in Ukraine are infected with HIV, as the virus spreads beyond intravenous drug users to others, including commercial sex workers and their clients.
South African Government Urges Abstinence in AIDS Crisis: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (10/10/00); Lovell, Jeremy; The South African government is calling for sexual abstinence in an effort to fight the AIDS epidemic. Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said that individuals who cannot abstain or be faithful to one partner should be sure to use condoms. She also noted that while South Africa cannot afford to provide antiretrov
Abacavir Plus Amprenavir Effective for Adults in Early Stage of HIV-1 Infection: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (10/09/00); Kahn, Sherry; Dr. Giuseppe Pantaleo of the University of Lausanne in Switzerland and a multicenter team report that a combination of abacavir and amprenavir can suppress HIV replication and stabilize CD4 T-cell counts when given soon after infection.
Science Briefs: Spill the Wine: Boston Globe (www.boston.com/globe) (10/10/00) P. E8; Reucroft, Stephen; Swain, John; John Docherty and colleagues at Northeastern Ohio University College of Medicine have found that a chemical in red wine can block herpes viruses from replicating. Previous research indicates that resveratrol may offer some protection against heart disease. A report in the September issue of New Scientist notes that a m
Tampon Can Test for STDs: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (10/10/00); New research indicates that tampons may be used to test for some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), by absorbing fluid in the vagina that can later be tested. Scientists, led by Dr. Patrick D.J. Sturm of the University of Natal in South Africa , assessed the diagnostic tampon on 1,030 women with no signs of infectio
TB a Problem in Prisons Around the World: Fox News Online (www.foxnews.com) (10/10/00); The World Medical Association (WMA), which represents doctors from around the world, is warning that overcrowded prisons help breed tuberculosis (TB). At the group s annual meeting in Scotland, the doctors said that high-risk conditions in prisons must be overcome to stop the spread of diseases-- including TB, hepatiti
Children to Get Facts, Not Fibs, About Sex: Britain Launches Ad Campaign: Ottawa Citizen (www.ottawacitizen.com) (10/11/00) P. A20; A new advertising campaign from the British government states the average age when young people lose their virginity. For girls, the age is 17, and for boys, 16, said the Health Department. Yvette Cooper, the minister of public health, and other experts hope the statistics will reduce pressure on teens to have sex, onc
Tuberculosis Control and Molecular Epidemiology in a South African Gold-Mining Community: Lancet (www.thelancet.com) (09/23/00) Vol. 356, No. 9235, P. 1066; Godfrey-Faussett, P.; Sonnenberg, P.; Shearer, S.C.; et al.; A molecular and epidemiological study of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in gold miners in South Africa evaluated 438 patients. The clusters featured groups of patients with Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates with identical IS6110 fingerprints, and the risk factors between clustered and non- clustered patients were compar
Taiwan Plans to Give Liberia Millions of Condoms to Curb AIDS: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (10/09/00); Taiwan will send Liberia as many as 6 million condoms early next year, according to Andrew Hsia, director of the foreign ministry s international organization department. The plan is part of a World Health Organization effort to stem the spread of HIV.
South Africans Using More Condoms, Deputy President Says: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (10/09/00); South Africans are using about 75 percent more condoms this year, according to the country s deputy president, Jacob Zuma. This suggests that AIDS awareness programs are working, said Zuma. The official, who noted a clear association between HIV and AIDS, noted that demand for free condoms from the government has soare
Weakness Identified in HIV-1 Chromosomal Integration: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (10/06/00); Drs. Alan Engelman and Hongmin Chen of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School have found that blocking HIV-1 retroviral integration after a certain processing step could inhibit HIV-1 replication. The researchers compared the activities of viral preintegration complexes from different strains with a re
Low Vitamin A, Cervical Cancer Link in Women With HIV: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (10/09/00); Dr. Audrey French from Rush Medical College in Chicago and colleagues report that vitamin A deficiency may contribute to cervical cancer development in HIV-infected women. The researchers, whose study is published in the October issue of the Journal of Infectious Diseases (2000;182:1084-1089), assessed vitamin A concen
[Iowa]: Metro-Area Teens Make Peers Aware of HIV and AIDS: Des Moines Register (www.desmoinesregister.com) (10/09/00) P. 3; Graham, Emily; Fifteen teenagers in Des Moines, Iowa, are learning to teach other youths about HIV and AIDS. The teens, who belong to Youth Against HIV/AIDS, are studying to become peer educators. One student explains that she is doing this because she wants to learn more about AIDS, as it affects many people her age. It is becoming
New Alliance to Fight TB Threat: Financial Times (www.ft.com) (10/10/00) P. 4; Griffith, Victoria; With the combined support of Microsoft head Bill Gates, U.S. biotech concern Chiron, and drug maker Aventis, a new organization focusing on the development of the first new class of tuberculosis drugs in three decades has been launched. Existing treatments are very effective, but they are expensive and require a six-to
Teaching Teenagers a Subject Many Know All Too Well: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (10/10/00) P. D7; Gilbert, Susan; A recent survey from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation showed that parents want help in providing sex education to their teenagers. More teenagers are having sex earlier, about 31 percent by age 15 in 1995, according to a study published earlier this year in Family Planning Perspectives. Casual sexual encounters no
The Ideas Industry: New Drive to Focus Sex Education on Boys: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (10/10/00) P. A23; Morin, Rich; Freya Sonenstein and colleagues at the Urban Institute will soon release a study that calls for better sex education for boys. The researchers say that young men need programs to address sexual relationships, sexually transmitted diseases, prevention of pregnancy, and fatherhood. While the objectives may seem obvious,
Increased Serum Level of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Pulmonary Tuberculosis: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Online (www.ajrccm.atsjournals.org) (09/00) Vol. 162, No. 3, P. 1120; Matsuyama, Wataru; Hashiguchi, Teruto; Matsumuro, Kenji; et al.; Japanese researchers investigated an increased serum level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) among patients with Crohn s disease. The scientists believed that VEGF could be related to pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), so they analyzed the serum level of 43 patients with active TB, 29 patients with old TB, and 25
Draft 5-Year Plan for HIV/AIDS Prevention Available for Public Comment: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a draft 5-year plan for HIV/AIDS prevention for public comment. The draft strategic plan was developed collaboratively by external consultants active in HIV/AIDS prevention and CDC staff. The draft five-year strategic plan details priority goals, objectives an
Odds Stacked Against Russian Newborns: Atlanta Journal and Constitution (www.accessatlanta.com) (10/06/00) P. 3C; Over two-thirds of births in Russia have complications, and many newborns who are discharged from maternity clinics have health issues. According to Olga Frolova, head of statistics at Russia s Academy of Medical Science, normal birth rates have fallen due to increased drinking and drug abuse and also complications fro
Surgeons Warn of Health Crisis if Antibiotic Resistance Continues: Australian Broadcasting Corp. News (www.abc.net.au) (10/09/00); Speakers at a conference of orthopedic surgeons in Hobart, Australia , have cited the threat of antibiotic resistance as a public health crisis in the making. Vaccines are one of few ways to prevent infectious disease outbreaks. Professor William Cole of the University of Toronto stated that prevention is now the main
Women's Interest Group Urges Worldwide Effort to Combat AIDS in Africa: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (10/05/00); The National Council of Negro Women has released a report called A Devastating Tragedy: AIDS in Africa, calling for more effort to help women in sub-Saharan Africa fight AIDS. According to the report, 40 percent of HIV-infected pregnant women in the region transmit the virus to their babies during birth. The group, bas
Medical Research Group Revises Guidelines on Placebos: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (10/08/00) P. A2; Brown, David; The Declaration of Helsinki, a document tracing inhumane Nazi research and considered the basis for ethical research, has been revised to state that placebos are unethical in virtually all studies that involve diseases with already proven treatments. Placebos remain ethical for use where no proven [treatment] exists.
Leading the Effort for an HIV Vaccine: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (10/09/00) P. A22; Baltimore, David; David Baltimore, president of the California Institute of Technology and former leader of the National Institutes of Health AIDS Vaccine Research Committee, writes that an editorial in the Post from Sept. 25 did not address the lack of scientific knowledge hindering the effort for an HIV vaccine. Because HIV can mutate
Plan to Infect Cats with HIV Sparks Outrage: Calgary Herald (www.canoe.ca/calgarysun/home.html) (10/09/00) P. A9; Roberts, Kate; Animal rights activists are angry that researcher Michael Podell of Ohio State University has received a $355,000 grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse to infect 120 cats with a feline version of HIV and then give them methamphetamine to study the effects. Podell explained that he wants to use the animal mode
Northwest Heroin Use Is Epidemic: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (10/09/00) P. A3; Sanchez, Rene; Heroin addiction is growing in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States , stretching from Seattle to Portland, Oregon. An estimated 20,000 heroin addicts reside in the Seattle area, and deaths from heroin overdoses in King County- -which includes Seattle--have more than doubled in the past 10 years. In Portla
World Partnership Launched to Develop Faster TB Drugs: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (10/09/00) P. 7D; Sternberg, Steve; The Global Alliance for TB Drug Development will launch today at the First International Conference on Health Research for Development in Bangkok. Giorgio Roscigno, the acting chief executive officer of the group, stated, Our mission is to accelerate the discovery and development of new anti- [tuberculosis] drugs and h
Loss of CD4 T Cell Proliferative Ability but Not Loss of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Specificity Equates With Progression to Disease: Journal of Infectious Diseases Online (www.journals.uchicago.edu/JID) (09/00) Vol. 182, No. 3, P. 792; Wilson, Jamie D. K.; Imami, Nesrina; Watkins, Amanda; et al.; Researchers from London s Imperial College School of Medicine compared HIV-1-specific proliferative responses to HIV-1- induced intracellular cytokine production in a both HIV nonprogressors and individuals with progressive infection. According to the investigators, HIV-1-specific proliferative responses in the clinica
Effect of HIV-1 and Increasing Immunosuppression on Malaria Parasitaemia and Clinical Episodes in Adults in Rural Uganda: A Cohort Study: Lancet (www.thelancet.com) (09/23/00) Vol. 356, No. 9235, P. 1051; Whitworth, James; Morgan, Dilys; Quigley, Maria; et al.; Researchers from Uganda and London s School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine evaluated the association between HIV-1 infection and the immunosuppression of malaria. A total of 484 subjects--222 of whom were HIV-positive, 237 who were HIV- negative, and 25 who seroconverted during the study--enrolled to attended a clini
Sharp Rise in Number of HIV-Positive Russian Troops: Report: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (10/05/00); The number of Russian troops infected with HIV has increased quickly in the first half of the year, with 260 new cases, according to a report in the Kommersant newspaper. The paper noted, however, that Bogdan Lazanko, an official at Podolsk military hospital, said the actual number of HIV-infected soldiers could be 10
More Than 800,000 Ugandans Have Died of AIDS: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (10/05/00); Uganda s health ministry announced Thursday that about 838,000 Ugandans have died from AIDS since 1982. Women accounted for 411,382 of the deaths, while about 83,800 were among children under 12. In 1999, about 112,000 new AIDS cases were reported in Uganda, with nearly 55,000 cases among women. The ministry s report n
South Africa Launches Campaign to Clear Up Confusion on AIDS: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (10/05/00); South Africa s government is starting a huge advertising campaign to ensure condom use does not stop because of confusion over President Mbeki s questioning of the link between HIV and AIDS. The campaign will encourage abstinence and fidelity but will also promote condom use to prevent HIV infection, and it is based on
China Health Officials Debate AIDS Prevention Laws: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (10/06/00); China is considering laws to improve HIV prevention efforts, as health officials debate whether the measures should allow for condom distribution and sex education for prostitutes. Chen Baozhen, director of the Ministry of Health s infectious disease prevention and supervision office, was quoted by the China Daily as s
Clinton Sees Himself as Progressive: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (10/06/00) P. C23; Peterson, Iver; President Clinton spoke at a Princeton University conference on Thursday, highlighting his activist government and comparing his presidential work to former presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, who inspired a reluctant nation to action. Among other issues, Clinton emphasized that the United States
UN Health Body Hits Back at Criticism of Campaign Against Killer Diseases: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (10/05/00); The World Health Organization (WHO) has responded to criticism by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) regarding its campaign to fight tuberculosis (TB), AIDS, and malaria. WHO said it was surprised that MSF believes its campaign is too passive. In a statement, the WHO said, In fact, their suggestions actually echo proposals
Irish Agency Knew of Risks in Blood Sales, Tribunal Says: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (10/06/00) P. A6; Lavery, Brian; An official inquiry in Ireland has determined that the government s Blood Transfusion Service Board knowingly put over 200 hemophiliacs at risk for HIV and hepatitis C in the early 1980s. Medical experts testified that the organization sold infected blood products to hospitals, even though the drug firms that made the
House Clears AIDS-HIV Bill: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (10/06/00) P. A5; The House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation on Thursday to provide over $1 billion a year for AIDS prevention and treatment. For the first time, the bill takes HIV infection into account with AIDS cases in determining how the federal dollars will be spent. The legislation, which now goes to the presiden
Risk Behaviors and the Prevalence of Chlamydia in a Juvenile Detention Facility: Clinical Pediatrics (09/00) Vol. 39, No. 9, P. 521; Kelly, Patricia J.; Bair, Rita M.; Baillargeon, Jacques; et al.; Researchers from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio evaluated the prevalence of chlamydia among a population of adolescents aged 12 to 17 in two juvenile detention facilities. A total of 100 teens, 76 percent of whom were Hispanic, provided urine tests to check for the disease. The results sho
White House AIDS Czar Sandra Thurman: The Hill (www.hillnews.com) (09/20/00) Vol. 7, No. 36, P. 25; Eisele, Albert; Jones, Mary Lynn F.; In an interview with The Hill, White House Office of National AIDS Policy director Sandra Thurman discusses her agency s work in educating the public. Thurman notes that while the AIDS epidemic is rapidly infecting people under age 25, the public is growing complacent due to new drugs and a false sense of security. She
Blood Technician Tried on Charges of Assault for Using Dirty Needles: San Jose Mercury News (www.mercurycenter.com) (10/04/00); Rey, Camille Mojica; On Tuesday, a former health care worker in Palo Alto, California, faced felony charges that she assaulted patients with unclean needles. The women, Elaine Giorgi, could be sentenced to 12 years and eight months for medical misconduct, if found guilty. Giorgi was a phlebotomist for a year at SmithKline Beecham s Patient
WHO Seeks Global Push Against Diseases of Poverty: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (10/03/00); The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for a global effort to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria in developing nations. Speaking at the commencement of a four-day Swiss conference on the issue, WHO Director General Gro Harlem Brundtland said the diseases are affecting the economic growth of developing countr
More Than Half of Sexually Active HIV-Infected Heterosexuals Report Risky Sexual Behavior: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (10/02/00); Dr. Amy Lansky and colleagues at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have found that sexually active, HIV- positive heterosexuals in the United States are more likely than not to report their sexual risk behaviors. Data from 4,743 HIV-infected heterosexuals showed that close to 50 percent were not sexually a
House Passes Bill on Needle Injuries: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (10/04/00) P. A11; The House of Representatives has passed a measure that would mandate hospitals and healthcare facilities to use safer needle devices. The legislation, which still needs Senate clearance, updates an Occupational Safety and Health Administration standard passed in 1991.
Survey Finds Parents Favor More Detailed Sex Education: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (10/04/00) P. A1; Schemo, Diana Jean; A new survey by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation shows that parents want more sex education in high school for their teenage children. The report polled 1,501 sets of parents and students in 1999, revealing a bridge between what parents want and what schools provide. About two-thirds of parents want sex education
AIDS Response Programs Target Black Community: Atlanta Journal and Constitution (www.accessatlanta.com) (10/04/00) P. 9D; Staples, Gracie Bonds; U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher said Tuesday that young gay men, particularly African Americans, could be the most vulnerable and difficult to reach in the AIDS epidemic. This is a group that we re very concerned about, who continue to see themselves on the fringes of society, he said. According to Satcher, 7 percen
Drug Resistance and Predicted Virologic Responses to HIV Type 1 Protease Inhibitor Therapy: Journal of Infectious Diseases Online (www.journals.uchicago.edu/JID) (09/00) Vol. 182, No. 3, P. 758; Condra, Jon H.; Petropoulos, Christos J.; Ziermann, Rainer; Researchers from two drug firms, Merck Research Laboratories and ViroLogic, investigated drug potency and exposure in HIV-1 drug resistance. The authors note that while most protease inhibitors for HIV infection have in vivo trough levels higher than their human serum protein binding-corrected IC(95) values for wild-ty
Transmission of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis From Medical Waste: Journal of the American Medical Association (www.jama.com) (10/04/00) Vol. 284, No. 13, P. 1683; Johnson, Kammy R.; Braden, Christopher R.; Cairns, K. Lisa; et al.; Three workers at a medical waste treatment plant in Washington State developed tuberculosis (TB) infection in 1997. Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention investigated the three cases, reviewing their medical records to scan for previous exposures to TB and identifying any mutations in the isol
HIV May Reverse Gains in Survival Among Hospitalized South African Children: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (09/29/00); A analysis of data from Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa , shows that nearly half of all deaths among children in 1996 were AIDS-related. Dr. Karen Zwi and colleagues at the University of Witwatersrand report in the Archives of Disease in Childhood (2000;83:227-230) that 9 percent of childr
Louisiana Parents Say STD Tests in High School OK: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (10/02/00); A recent study from Dr. Malanda Nsuami of Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans found that 97 percent of parents support chlamydia testing in high school and almost 90 percent of students were tested during the three-year study. The researchers offered in-school chlamydia testing in three pub
Patient Makes Anti-HIV Immunity Cells in Enzo Trail: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (10/02/00); Enzo Biochem, a biotechnology company, reported Monday that a patient involved in a Phase I trial has generated new immunity cells to fight HIV. The company said that after nearly 10 months, cells in engineered have engrafted to the individual s bone marrow and are producing new anti-HIV cells. Enzo is still collecting
Prison Study Discovers HIV Resistant to Medicines: Dallas Morning News (www.dallasnews.com) (10/03/00); Beil, Laura; Research from William O Brien of the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston shows that HIV-infected inmates in Texas often have drug-resistant strains. The scientists found that the resistant virus could be spread within Texas prisons, posing a dual problem, for when prisoners are released, they can infect oth
U.S. House Backs HIV Testing for Accused Rapists: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (10/02/00); The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a measure to allow people who are raped to require their attackers get tested for HIV so early treatment can be administered, if necessary. The approved legislation would withhold federal crime-control funding from states that do not support HIV testing of an accused attacke
Gonorrhea Shows Its Resistant Side; Disease Control Agency Tells Doctors of New Recommendations: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (www.jsonline.com) (10/02/00) P. 5G; Altman, Lawrence K.; New findings from Hawaii and Missouri reveal that gonorrhea is becoming resistant to more antibiotics, according to federal health officials. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued new recommendations for doctors who treat the sexually transmitted disease. About 10 percent of gonorrhea cases in Hawai
Health Officials Concentrate Efforts to End Syphilis: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (10/03/00) P. 7D; Haney, Daniel Q.; Health officials in Fulton County, Georgia , recently discovered 25 cases of syphilis in an area known to be a hideaway for crack addicts. Health workers have set out to reach these cases and test others who live in the area. County disease investigator Jerome Powell coaxes crack addicts out from a parking lot to get t
Despite Precautions, AIDS Infection Rate Refuses to Drop: Atlanta Journal and Constitution (www.accessatlanta.com) (10/03/00) P. 1A; Staples, Gracie Bonds; A new report, Youth and HIV/AIDS 2000: A New American Agenda, shows that young people are taking fewer sexual risks and are using condoms more, but HIV rates remain steady for teenagers. Presidential AIDS envoy Sandra Thurman, who released the findings during the U.S. Conference on AIDS in Atlanta, noted, We know what
Recovery of Replication-Competent Virus From CD4 T Cell Reservoirs and Change in Coreceptor Use in HIV Type-1-Infected Children Responding to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy: Journal of Infectious Diseases Online (www.journals.uchicago.edu/JID) (09/00) Vol. 182, No. 3, P. 751; Equils, Ozlem; Garratty, Eileen; Wei, Lian S.; et al.; Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been shown to suppress plasma viremia in most HIV-infected individuals. A prospective study of 27 HIV-infected children conducted by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and the UCLA AIDS Institute reveals that in eight of 12 children who responded to HAART, the therapy restricte
Draft 5-Year Plan for HIV/AIDS Prevention Available for Public Comment: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a draft 5-year plan for HIV/AIDS prevention for public comment. The draft strategic plan was developed collaboratively by external consultants active in HIV/AIDS prevention and CDC staff. The draft five-year strategic plan details priority goals, objectives an
Cluster of HIV-Infected Adolescents and Young Adults-- Mississippi, 1999: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (www.cdc.gov/mmwr) (09/29/00) Vol. 49, No. 38, P. 861; Working with the Mississippi State and District Health Department, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researchers recently investigated a cluster of HIV-infected individuals within a social network of 122 young men and women in rural Mississippi. Results from the investigation indicate that of 78 people tested
Botswana: AIDS Epidemic to Cut Population Growth: Dallas Morning News (www.dallasnews.com) (09/30/00) P. 8A; The HIV/AIDS epidemic will reverse Botswana s population growth in a decade, according to a new United Nations report. The study forecast that by 2021, the country s population will be nearly one-third lower than it would have been without AIDS and the economy will have declined by one-third. The report also noted that
[Australia]: AIDS Group Warns HIV Infection May Rise: Australian Associated Press (aap.au.au) (10/02/00); An Australian AIDS organization is warning that a rise in unsafe sex among young homosexual men signals a need for renewed efforts against HIV. Chris Puplick, chairman of the National Council on AIDS and Related Diseases, noted an increase in HIV rates in New South Wales and Victoria. He said, There has been an increas
Fund to Buy Cheaper AIDS Drugs for Latin America: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (09/29/00); Gearon, Chris; A fund being established by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) will help Caribbean and Latin American nations access more affordable AIDS treatments. The organization s Directing Council has approved a resolution to request PAHO to set up a regional revolving fund that would make bulk purchases of AIDS drugs.
Across the USA: Arizona: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (10/02/00) P. 10A; Arizona health officials are launching this week an advertising campaign that supports sexual abstinence for teenagers. With the fifth highest teen birth rate in the United States , 29.6 of every 1,000 teenage girls in Arizona had a baby last year. That figure is down from 38.9 in 1995.
House Vote Planned on Needle-Safety Bill; 10 Million Workers Would Be Affected: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (www.accessatlanta.com) (10/02/00) P. 6A; Malone, Julia; U.S. health officials say that needle injuries cause about 1,000 serious infections every year, including HIV and hepatitis C. Legislation slated to be voted on by the House of Representatives early this week would mandate that facilities use safer needles that either retract or blunt their points after being used. The
Mandela Repudiates Mbeki on AIDS: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (09/30/00) P. A16; In a recent interview, former South African president Nelson Mandela asserted his belief that HIV causes AIDS. The report, published by Independent Group newspapers, quoted Mandela as saying he would recognize the dominant opinion which prevails throughout the world until he was shown definite proof that this is incorr
Working for Women's Sexual Rights: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (10/02/00) P. A8; Crossette, Barbara; A new report from the United Nations Population Fund concludes that women need more power in relation to sexual activity and its effects. According to the group s annual report, increased power for women could help avert many unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, maternal deaths, infections, and other problems. The r
Enhancement of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1-Specific CD4 and CD8 T Cell Responses in Chronically Infected Persons After Temporary Treatment Interruption: Journal of Infectious Diseases Online (www.journals.uchicago.edu/JID) (09/00) Vol. 182, No. 3, P. 766; Papasavvas, Emmanouil; Ortiz, Gabriel M.; Gross, Robert; et al.; A study of five chronically HIV-infected subjects with antiretroviral therapy-mediated virus suppression and five untreated controls was conducted to compare the virologic outcomes of treatment interruptions. An interruption of therapy for 55 days, on average, showed that restarted therapy suppressed the viral load in
Study Proposes Doing Pap Smears at 3-Year Intervals: American Medical News (www.amednews.com) (09/18/00) Vol. 43, No. 35, P. 27; Elliott, Victoria Stagg; A study that followed over 100,000 women screened during the Center for Disease Control and Prevention s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program reveals that it is safe to undergo Pap smears at three-year intervals instead of annually. The CDC will soon revise its recommendations, so that women with
Mandela Tells of S.African AIDS Crisis: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (09/28/00); Speaking in the United Kingdom at the recent annual conference of the ruling Labour Party, the former South African president Nelson Mandela claimed that AIDS poses a crisis for his country that is too big to express in words. According to Mandela, one student dies every week of AIDS in each university in South Africa,
S. Africa Airways Ordered to Employ HIV-Infected Man: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (09/28/00); Sithole, Emelia; South African Airways has been required by the country s Constitutional Court to hire a man infected with HIV because the judges feel that the denial of his employment was discriminatory and in violation of his constitutional rights. National Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS director Nkululeko Nxesi hopes tha
Tackling HIV/AIDS' Grip on Black Women: Atlanta Journal and Constitution (www.accessatlanta.com) (09/29/00) P. 3A; Bonds, Gracie; In Atlanta, Ga., 3,300 representatives from HIV/AIDS service providers and advocacy groups are expected to meet shortly for the U.S. Conference on AIDS. The four-day conference, which is being sponsored by the National Minority AIDS Council, will feature daily plenary sessions on various topics, including treatment res
Doctor's Mission Is to Create HIV, TB Vaccines: Providence Journal (www.projo.com) (09/29/00); Donovan, William J.; Anne De Groot, Brown University professor and founder of EpiVax, is attempting to a develop a vaccine for HIV and tuberculosis through a computer-driven algorithm process that screens amino acid chains for possible patterns that can stimulate the body s immune system. Sequella Global TB Foundation president Carol Macy
HIV Cluster Points Up Risks in Rural Areas: Atlanta Journal and Constitution (www.accessatlanta.com) (09/29/00) P. 8B; McKenna, M.A.J.; The recent discovery of HIV clusters in a small town in rural Mississippi would indicate that the risk of AIDS extends well beyond cities, and that teenage girls in poor areas who are of African-American origin may be at particularly high risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, after a local
Evidence for Long-Term Cervical Persistence of Chlamydia Trachomatis by omp1 Genotyping: Journal of Infectious Diseases Online (www.journals.uchicago.edu/JID) (09/00) Vol. 182, No. 3, P. 909; Dean, Deborah; Suchland, Robert J.; Stamm, Walter E.; Sexually active women often have recurrent Chlamydia trachomatis infections. While some recurrent cases may be the result of reinfection, some recurrences may be due to persistence, according to new research from the University of California School of Medicine at San Francisco. A study of 552 women with more than three
Timing of Perinatal Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection and Rate of Neurodevelopment: Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal Online (www.pidj.com) (09/00) Vol. 19, No. 9, P. 862; Smith, Renee; Malee, Kathleen; Charurat, Manhattan; et al.; A study of 114 infants born to mothers with HIV-1 infection investigated the neurodevelopment of the babies at four, nine, 12, 15, 18, 24, and 30 months of age. The children were grouped according to estimated time of infection. Early infection, or in utero transmission, was defined as a positive HIV-1 test during the
Intranasal Immunization With Gonococcal Outer Membrane Preparations Reduces the Duration of Vaginal Colonization of Mice by Neisseria gonorrhoeae: Journal of Infectious Diseases Online (www.journals.uchicago.edu/JID) (09/00) Vol. 182, No. 3, P. 848; Plante, Martin; Jerse, Ann; Hamel, Josee; et al.; A team of U.S. and Canadian researchers investigated the use of nasal immunization to prevent vaginal colonization by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Gonococcal outer membrane preparations were given through nasal immunization to mice. The study found that bacterial clearance was approximately two times as fast for mice that re
CDC Issues Statement Following the Release of IOM Report: CDC News Release (09/27/00); Today the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a report providing a visionary framework for national HIV prevention activities. The report--No Time to Lose: Getting More from HIV Prevention--makes it clear, first and foremost, that HIV prevention works. Dr. Helene Gayle, Director of the CDC National Center for HIV, STD
New Rapid HIV Test Accurate, Easy to Use: AIDS Alert (www.ahcpub.com/online.html) (09/00) Vol. 15, No. 9, P. 115; The OraQuick HIV-1/2 rapid HIV test, produced by Epitope Inc. of Beaverton, Oregon, could receive approval from the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) within a few months. Earlier this year, the FDA granted Epitope an investigational device exemption, and the company plans to file a pre-market approval application ea
Fight Against Serious Diseases Begins With Their Prevention (letter): Financial Times (www.ft.com) (09/28/00) P. 18; Nielson, Poul; A letter from the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid highlights the opportunity for the European Commission to hold a Round Table meeting with the World Health Organization and UNAIDS . The meeting will provide a chance to discuss ways to fight malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS among poverty-r
HIV-1 Genetic Diversity Increasing in South America: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (09/26/00); Findings published in the journal AIDS (2000;14:1785-1791) reveal that more strains of HIV-1 are emerging in South America. Dr. Kevin Russell of the Naval Medical Research Center in Lima, Peru , found that new HIV-1 genotypes are appearing, including genotype F and genotype A. A total of 232 blood samples given by HIV
HIV-Positive Patients Urged Not to Delay Treatment: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (09/27/00); Huggins, Charnicia E.; A study conducted by Dr. Barbara Turner of the University of Pennsylvania shows that some people who are diagnosed with HIV delay treatment for months. Turner and colleagues interviewed 3,500 HIV-infected patients diagnosed by February 1993 or February 1995, and found that one-third of the group delayed treatment by an
Livermore Lab Gets Grant to Fight TB: St. Louis Post-Dispatch Online (www.stlnet.com) (09/27/00); Tansey, Bernadette; Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has received a $4 million research grant from the National Institutes of Health to help fight tuberculosis (TB) worldwide. The lab is one of 13 that was given funding to study proteins used by TB to infect cells. The five-year project will be overseen by Los Alamos National Labora
Hepatitis Vaccines Offered; With Parents' OK, Newton Middle- Schoolers Can Be Protected: Atlanta Journal and Constitution (www.accessatlanta.com) (09/28/00) P. 4JR; Farber, Henry; Newton County, Georgia , middle-schoolers will soon be offered free hepatitis B vaccines, dependent on parental consent. The virus is spread through sex and dirty needles, similar to HIV transmission. Rockdale County may consider a similar program, said Julie Sosebee, director of Rockdale s Health Department. The vacci
Some HIV Patients Can Be Weaned Off Drugs: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (09/28/00) P. A2; Brown, David; A new report published in Nature shows that people with HIV who are treated with antiviral drugs quickly after infection can teach their immune systems to suppress the virus without using drugs, indicating that there is a way for a small number of people to take drug holidays or stop treatment and still control their H
23-Valent Pneumococcal Vaccination and HIV (letters): Lancet (www.thelancet.com) (09/16/00) Vol. 356, No. 9234, P. 1027; Dieye, T. N.; Simonart, T.; Sow, P.S.; et al.; Researchers from the Department of Dermatology at Erasme University Hospital in Belgium write of the effects of 23- valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination upon HIV concentrations in patients. They conducted a study of 12 HIV- 1 infected patients, nine HIV-2-infected patients, and eight HIV-negative subjects. A
Genetic Epidemiology of Hepatitis C Virus Throughout Egypt: Journal of Infectious Diseases Online (www.journals.uchicago.edu/JID) (09/00) Vol. 182, No. 3, P. 698; Ray, Stuart C.; Arthur, Ray R.; Carella, Anthony; et al.; Researchers from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, the National Institutes of Health, and the World Health Organization studied blood samples from donors in 15 governorates of Egypt in an effort to characterize the hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic in the country. The seroprevalence of HCV infection is 10 to
Perfect Vaccine for HIV Not Likely, Researcher Warns: AIDS Alert (www.ahcpub.com/online.html) (09/00) Vol. 15, No. 9, P. 97; The 13th International AIDS Conference, held earlier this summer in Durban, South Africa , brought together over 15,000 physicians and scientists from all over the world. During her address to conference participants, Chiron Corp. s Margaret Liu said that creating an HIV vaccine that would prevent infection is a daunti
Task Force to Study Anti-Gay Bias: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (09/27/00) P. B3; Maryland Gov. Parris Glendening (D) has created a task force to study discrimination against gays, hoping to introduce legislation against the practice. Glendening proposed a gay rights bill two years ago though the measure was defeated. The governor s brother, who was gay, died of AIDS.
63 New Cases of AIDS Reported in July-Aug.: Kyodo News Service (home.kyodo.co.jp) (09/26/00); In Japan , 63 new AIDS cases were reported in July and August, according to the Health and Welfare Ministry. Eighty-two people were confirmed with HIV during the two-month span, and seven people died from AIDS. The total number of AIDS/HIV cases in Japan is 6,937 since 1984.
Hemophilia Drug Requires Applications: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (09/27/00) P. C1; Petersen, Melody; Bayer Corporation has asked patients to apply for a new drug for hemophiliacs through a corporate program, instead of going to a pharmacy. The new drug, Kogenate FS, will be given to patients whose applications are approved first. The drug is a genetically engineered version of a protein missing in people with hemophil
Latent HIV Reservoir Develops Early in Activated T Cells: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (09/26/00); A report in the Journal of Virology (2000;74:7824-7833) reveals that latent HIV reservoirs form when the virus infects activated T cells that can enter a resting state. Dr. Robert Siliciano of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine reports that the latent HIV reservoir stems from R5 viruses, which do not enter res
Early Use of AIDS 'Cocktail' Boosts Immune System: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (09/27/00); Harvard Medical School researchers, led by Bruce Walker, have found that early treatment with a cocktail of AIDS drugs can boost the immune system and its T-cells. A study of eight HIV patients aged 30 to 44 who stopped taking triple medications showed increases in CD4 and CD8 T-cell counts even after five remained off
U.S. Parents, Teachers Want More Covered in Sex Ed: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (09/27/00); Zabarenko, Deborah; A study on sex education from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows that federal abstinence-based sex education programs differ little from programs that offer information on homosexuality, abortion, and birth control methods. Eighty- five percent of parents in the survey said that teens should be taught how to use condom
Effects of Testosterone and Progressive Resistance Training in Eugonadal Men With AIDS Wasting; a Randomized, Controlled Trial: Annals of Internal Medicine Online (www.annals.org) (09/05/00) Vol. 133, No. 5, P. 348; Grinspoon, Steven; Corcoran, Colleen; Parlman, Kristin; et al.; A study of 54 men with AIDS wasting evaluated the effects of testosterone therapy and progressive resistance training upon the men s body weight and muscles. The men were recruited through the HIV practice at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. The patients were grouped according to their ideal body weight. They
Intrauterine Device and Upper-Genital-Tract Infection: Lancet (www.thelancet.com) (09/16/00) Vol. 356, No. 9234, P. 1013; Grimes, David A.; The risk of upper-genital-tract infection prevents many from using intrauterine devices (IUDs). Women with symptomless gonorrhea or chlamydial infection with an IUD have a higher risk of salpingitis, tubal infertility, than women having an IUD placed without gonorrhea infection. The study included 4,031 women in
Unsafe-Sex Storm Brews in San Francisco: Advocate (www.advocate.com) (09/12/00) P. 16; Romesburg, Don; A report in San Francisco about increasing HIV rates among gay men has led to a debate over HIV. The report showed that unsafe sex among gay men appears to be rising in the city, leading to 573 projected new transmissions of HIV this year, compared to 283 in 1997. Public health department director Mitch Katz says that
Someone to Watch Over Patients: American Medical News (www.amednews.com) (09/18/00) Vol. 43, No. 35, P. 26; Shelton, Deborah L.; Brown University s Immunology Center has an outreach program for 100 HIV patients that uses directly observed therapy to make sure patients take their medicine. The observed therapy technique is well-known for use in tuberculosis, but it has also been successful in helping HIV-infected individuals adhere to their deman
United Kingdom Authorities Clear AIDS Vaccine for Human Testing: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (09/21/00); The United Kingdom s Medicines Control Agency has approved human testing for the experimental modified vaccinia Ankara- strain (MVA) vaccine candidate funded by the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. The candidate is targeted for use in Africa, and the first part of the vaccine entered trials in England this August
Local Summit: Is AIDS a Threat to National Security: U.S. Newswire (www.usnewswire.com) (09/24/00); The AIDS epidemic in Africa is now a threat to world security. Washington post correspondent Barton Gellman, who covers national defense issues and the AIDS crisis, will present his views on this threat at the Prince George s Community College HIV/AIDS Summit this Friday. The summit is taking place with the help of a g
Don't Blame Kids for Failing Sex Ed: Washington Post--Health (www.washingtonpost.com) (09/26/00) P. 5; Trafford, Abigail; The debate on sex education and family values is not over, as many children are left in the dark without the guidance necessary to become healthy sexual adults. Many kids do not receive sex education at home, school, or from popular culture. Deborah Roffman, sexuality consultant in Baltimore and author of Sex and Sensi
Federal Trade Commission Bans Yet Another Distributor's Internet Sales of Faulty HIV Tests: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (09/25/00); The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has settled charges that Sovo Tec Diagnostics Inc. was selling faulty HIV tests over the Internet, as the distributor has agreed to stop claiming its tests are accurate. The tests, HIV1/2 Stat-Pak Ultra fast, or rapid tests, are not approved for sale in the United States , and n
Presidential AIDS Council Recommends Action for Clinton's Last Days: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (09/25/00); During the last days of the Clinton administration, the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) has recommended that Clinton help fund vaccine research and development. Ronald Dellums, council chairman, and executive director Daniel Montoya have asked the administration to support programs for global AIDS rel
Hopkins AIDS Center to Get Federal Funds: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (09/26/00) P. B3; The Johns Hopkins Center for AIDS Research has been granted over $7.3 million in federal funds for the next five years. The first donation, $1.5 million from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, will be used to study latent HIV infection, immune restoration, HIV prevention, and to help improve res
Homozygosity for a Conserved Mhc Class II DQ-DRB Haplotype Is Associated With Rapid Disease Progression in Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Macaques: Results >From a Prospective Study: Journal of Infectious Diseases Online (www.journals.uchicago.edu/JID) (09/00) Vol. 182, No. 3, P. 716; Sauermann, Ulrike; Stahl-Hennig, Christiane; Stolte, Nicole; et al.; Just as people infected with HIV have varying disease progression, SIV-positive macaques also have differing disease progressions, possibly influenced by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes. Researchers conducted a prospective study of six unrelated monkeys homozygous for Mamu-DQB1*0601 and DRB1*0309-DRB*W201
Necessary Evil?: New Scientist (www.newscientist.com) (09/02/00) Vol. 167, No. 2254, P. 16; Boyce, Nell; Although the practice of allowing patients to remain sick while a treatment is available for the purposes of research has been called deplorable for decades, it still exists in the form of placebo testing for new medicines. While not the same system as used in the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, in which 400 poor African Amer
Complications of AIDS: American Medical News (www.amednews.com) (09/18/00) Vol. 43, No. 35, P. 25; Shelton, Deborah L.; Anti-HIV drugs used in highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) have helped transform HIV into a chronic disease, if the patient adheres to the therapy. Paul Volberding, a professor of medicine at the University of California at San Francisco, and director of the UCSF Positive Health Program, explains that physicia
Number of TB Patients Increased 10 Percent in Japan in 1999: Kyodo News Service (home.kyodo.co.jp) (09/22/00); Japan experienced an almost 10 percent rise in the number of new tuberculosis (TB) cases last year, the third consecutive year of increase. A total of 48,264 new TB cases were diagnosed in 1999, more than 4,200 more than were diagnosed in the previous year. Japan has the highest incidence of the disease among develop
Unapproved HIV Tests Sold Here and Abroad Are Targeted: Deseret News (www.deseretnews.com) (09/23/00) P. A7; The Federal Trade Commission is cracking down on unapproved AIDS tests, which are sold to Americans over the Internet and sometimes exported to other countries. The FTC is taking legal action against a California distributor, hoping to keep unapproved tests away from other countries and Americans.
UW Finding Shows Way for AIDS Vaccine: Capital Times (www.thecapitaltimes.com) (09/23/00) P. 2A; Nathans, Aaron; Researchers from the University of Wisconsin have discovered that HIV avoids the body s immune responses during the first few weeks of infection. David Watkins, professor of pathology at UW-Madison, said the discovery offers a potential new approach to fight AIDS. Watkins, students Todd Allen and David O Connor, studie
Mr. Clinton's AIDS Challenge (editorial): Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (09/25/00) P. A20; Progress towards an AIDS vaccine is growing, as human trials for over 20 vaccine candidates have started. President Clinton supports vaccine development, offering tax credits and other incentives for pharmaceutical firms. This has led to a doubling in the AIDS vaccine research budget. However, Clinton does not support
HIV Education, Prevention Programs Needed for US Seniors: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (09/22/00); Zwillich, Todd; A study from the National Institute on Aging shows that HIV/AIDS education programs are overlooking people over age 50, even though this age group reports high-risk sexual behavior. Dr. Isaac Montoya, HIV researcher with Affiliated Systems Research of Houston, stated that most prevention programs are aimed at young peo
ANC Leader Unequivocally Says HIV Causes AIDS Amid Controversy: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (09/24/00); African National Congress executive committee member Manne Dipico has stated that HIV causes AIDS. Dipico is the first ANC member to publicly break from President Mbeki s stance on HIV. Manne Dipico announced his position while opening a new center for AIDS at Kimberley, South Africa . Mbeki continues to state that
Privacy vs. Access: A Medical Debate: Atlanta Journal and Constitution (www.accessatlanta.com) (09/24/00) P. 17A; Eversley, Melanie; The use of medical databases concerns privacy advocates, but provides health providers with valuable information. Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention want to track AIDS, tuberculosis, and other diseases to help eradicate them. However, many people feel that medical privacy is a right, and is v
Fluoroquinolone-Resistance in Neisseria Gonorrhoeae, Hawaii, 1999, and Decreased Susceptibility to Azithromycin in N. Gonorrhoeae, Missouri, 1999: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (www.cdc.gov/mmwr) (09/22/00) Vol. 49, No. 37, P. 833; As drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea continue to emerge, successful treatment of this sexually transmitted disease is becoming more difficult. In the 1980s, penicillin and tetracycline became ineffective for treatment of gonorrhea due to resistance. Two fluoroquinolone antibiotics--ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin--have b
Adolescents' Perceptions Linked to Unprotected Sex: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (09/21/00); Mozes, Alan; Dr. Richard Crosby of Emory University in Atlanta and colleagues have found that the perceptions of African-American girls regarding the intimacy of relationships influences their concern over infection with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and thus their frequency of unprotected sex. Dr. Crosby stated in the repor
U.N. Report: Women Worldwide Get Raw Deal: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (09/21/00); Griffiths, Lyndsay; The annual report of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) noted that women face many more barriers than men, including rape, abuse, and discrimination. Nafis Sadik, executive director of the UNFPA, said that one solution is to get men to fight for equality as well. The report, Lives Together, Worlds Apart, showed
Women's Prison Starts HIV Education, Testing: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (09/21/00); The 24th National Conference on Correctional Health Care brought Spencer Marks, director of Communicable Disease Control at the Dutchess County Health Department in Poughkeepsie, New York, to discuss a $15,000 a year program that helps educate women in prison about HIV. The collaboration between the local health depart
City's Syphilis Rate Drops 45 Percent, Sparing It Number One Spot: Baltimore Sun (www.sunspot.net) (09/21/00) P. 3B; Bor, Jonathan; Baltimore syphilis rate is no longer the nation s highest. Indianapolis now holds the top spot for the highest number of syphilis cases, after its rate more than doubled in 1999. Preliminary statistics show that Baltimore s syphilis rate fell 45 percent last year, making it No. 3 after Indianapolis and Nashville. Balti
Malaria Risk Linked to AIDS Infection: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (09/22/00); News from the Uganda Virus Research Institute in Entebbe, led by James Whitworth, shows that people with HIV may be two times more likely to contract malaria than uninfected people. A study of 484 people in rural Uganda during 1990 to 1998 revealed that malaria was present in 11.8 percent of HIV- infected patients, com
AIDS Vaccine Cleared for Human Testing: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (09/21/00); Woodman, Richard; The United Kingdom s Medicines Control Agency has approved an AIDS vaccine candidate for human testing, according to the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. The modified vaccinia Ankara-strain vaccine is the second part to the vaccination strategy created in Oxford, England. The first component, a DNA vaccine, has e
AIDS Activists Sponsor Boycott of San Francisco ACT UP: San Francisco Examiner (www.examiner.com) (09/21/00) P. A20; Torassa, Ulysses; AIDS activists in San Francisco are forming a movement against ACT UP/San Francisco, a radical chapter which believes that HIV does not cause AIDS. To promote their cause, the activists published a full-page ad in the local gay press, signed by 194 people and five organizations, asking the gay community not to buy from
Across the USA: Kentucky: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (09/22/00) P. 14A; A new resolution approved by the Kentucky Medical Association (KMA) calls for HIV screening for all pregnant women. Three- quarters of the 8,000 doctors in Kentucky are members of the organization and must abide by its guidelines. The outgoing president of the KMA, Dr. Harry Carloss, noted that although mother-to-child
A Distinctive Clade B HIV Type 1 Is Heterosexually Transmitted in Trinidad and Tobago: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Online (www.pnas.org) (09/12/00) Vol. 97, No. 19, P. 10532; Cleghorn, F.R.; Jack, N.; Carr, J.K.; et al.; The HIV epidemic in Trinidad and Tobago and other Caribbean nations is associated with heterosexual activity and non-clade B viruses. A study of the molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 in Trinidad as the epidemic shifted from homosexual to heteros
South Africa: Government Accused on AIDS: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (09/21/00) P. A8; History will rate the South African government s lack of action against the AIDS epidemic as as serious a crime against humanity as apartheid, according to Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane of Cape Town. Statistics show that as of year-end 1999, approximately 10 percent of South Africa s residents were infected with HIV.
EU Launches Trade, Health Initiatives: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (09/20/00); Croft, Adrian; The European Union (EU) has started a project to help developing countries export duty-free goods and develop AIDS programs. The initiative would start soon for other products if approved, but duty-free access for bananas, sugar, and rice would be phased in over a three-year period. A new policy approved by the Europea
UN Slams Rich Donors Over Condom Supply: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (09/20/00); Griffiths, Lyndsay; The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has attacked the West s failure to send the money it promised for global population programs, which has led to a condom shortage. Speaking at the release of the U.N. s annual population report, the retiring head of the UNFPA, Dr. Nafis Sadik, noted that large countries spent l
Sparring Begins on Plan to Monitor AIDS Unit: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (09/21/00) P. A28; Bernstein, Nina; A federal judge ruled this week that New York City s AIDS agency will run under federal authority for three years. The move, called vague by some, aims to end the delayed benefits to patients and help them as the agency sets out to do. Advocates believe federal authority will help speed support to AIDS patients, since
AIDS Envoy: A Cashmere Glove Over a Steel Fist: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (09/21/00) P. A33; Gellman, Barton; Sandra Thurman, director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy, was also made the presidential envoy for AIDS cooperation last month. Thurman s job has expanded to include international responses to AIDS, as the epidemic continues to spread. Although some people may underestimate her, James Carville says,
Across the USA: Maryland: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (09/21/00) P. 10A; Health officials report that Baltimore s rate of sexually transmitted diseases has fallen over the last year. According to new statistics, syphilis cases last year declined about 45 percent from 1998, while cases of gonorrhea fell 10.8 percent and chlamydia cases dropped 5 percent.
New Cancer Test Catching On: Washington Times (www.washtimes.com) (09/21/00) P. A8; A new cervical cancer screening test is gaining support from doctors and insurance companies. The DNA test is used to check for the human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common cause of cervical cancer, when a Pap smear is inconclusive. The nation s largest health insurer, Aetna, announced Wednesday that it will cover t
Primate Virus Sheds New Light on AIDS: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (09/21/00) P. 8D; A report in this week s issue of Nature outlines how SIV evades the immune system. The primate virus is similar to HIV; however, it infects monkeys at a quicker rate than the human virus. Scientists from the University of Wisconsin and Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Center found that SIV replicates and mutates int
Drug-Resistant HIV Shows a Worrying Increase in the UK: Nature (www.nature.com) (09/14/00) Vol. 407, No. 6801, P. 120; Loder, Natasha; Deenan Pillay, a researcher at the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) in Britain, is calling for increased testing for multidrug-resistant HIV. An increase in new resistant cases was reported by Pillay recently at the British Association s science festival at Imperial College in London. The data showed five of 24
Nigeria Plans to Budget Money to Fight AIDS in 2001: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (09/19/00); Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo told a joint mission of the World Bank and UNICEF Tuesday that his government will hold a separate vote in the 2001 budget for HIV and AIDS funds. He said the funds, which would be controlled by the presidency, would be used to create a government action plan to fight the epidemic.
South Africa: Communist Position on AIDS: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (09/20/00) P. A14; In South Africa , the Communist Party has added its voice to the various groups, including the Congress of South Africa Trade Unions, which have declared that HIV causes AIDS. However, African National Congress leader, President Thabo Mbeki, and his cabinet members still believe that AIDS may also caused by factors suc
Once-Daily HIV Drug Seen Safe, Well-Tolerated: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (09/18/00); Bristol-Myers Squibb s investigational compound BMS 232632, a once-daily HIV medicine, appears to be safe and easily tolerated by patients involved in an ongoing Phase II clinical trial. The protease inhibitor, potentially the first once- daily drug in that class, did not affect patients cholesterol or triglyceride lev
Abbott's Kaletra May Be More Effective Than Agouron's Viracept: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (09/19/00); Fodor, Kate; Abbott released data from an ongoing Phase III clinical trial of its new HIV medication Kaletra that suggests the recently FDA-approved drug may be better at lowering levels of HIV in the bloodstream than a competing drug, Agouron s Viracept . Announced at the annual Interscience Con
Shampoo Ingredient Eyed as Anti-AIDS Agent: United Press International (www.upi.com) (09/19/00); Susman, Ed; An ingredient used in shampoos and toothpaste could act as a vaginal microbicide to prevent HIV in women. Results of a test-tube study presented at the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy in Toronto showed that sodium lauryl sulfate could be a potential candidate. Jocelyne Piret, a biologis
KGO Refuses to Air Safe-Sex Ads in Daytime: San Francisco Chronicle (www.sfgate.com) (09/19/00) P. A13; Heredia, Christopher; A San Francisco television station, KGO Channel 7, has refused to run an HIV prevention ad during the daytime that shows bare-chested men and a transgender woman with her arms crossed over her bare chest. KGO offered to place the ad, paid for by the San Francisco Department of Public Health, after 10 p.m. The ads targe
Across the USA: New Mexico: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (09/20/00) P. 6A; Health officials in New Mexico want to alter the state s Controlled Substances Act in order to allow pharmacists to legally sell syringes to injection drug users. The plan, an effort to fight HIV and hepatitis, is backed by the state Pharmacy Board but still requires approval from the state legislature and the governor
HIV Patients Face a New Epidemic: Boston Globe (www.boston.com/globe) (09/19/00) P. D1; Saltus, Richard; As new drug therapies help HIV and AIDS patients to live longer, more of them are dealing with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and liver failure. Patients with HIV are approaching normal lifespans [because of the new drugs] and they re dying of liver disease instead of the AIDS virus, notes Dr. Douglas Dieter
New York Is Failing People With AIDS, a U.S. Judge Rules: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (09/20/00) P. A1; Mansnerus, Laura; Federal District Court Judge Sterling Johnson Jr. said Tuesday that New York City s Division of AIDS Services and Income Support has provided inadequate services for people with AIDS, and he placed the agency under federal watch for three years. Johnson said the division, formed in 1985, had chronically and systematica
Antigen-Specific T Cells Localize to the Uterine Cervix in Women With Genital Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Infection: Journal of Infectious Diseases Online (www.journals.uchicago.edu/JID) (09/00) Vol. 182, No. 3, P. 662; Koelle, David M.; Schomogyi, Mark; Corey, Lawrence; Reinfection with genital herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is rare in humans, but scientists note that the mechanism of acquired immunity is not clear. Researchers from the University of Washington measured antigen-specific T cell responses to HSV in the cervix, a site of exposure to the virus, during both lesional a
IMF Sees Severe Costs to Africa of HIV/AIDS: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (09/19/00); The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported in its latest World Economic Outlook that southern Africa will experience severe economic loss due to AIDS unless international help arrives. The IMF said the economic costs will lead to poverty and other problems, as the countries now struggle to deal with the epidemic.
WB to Finance TB Treatment Programs in Russian Prisons: Itar Wire Service (www.itar-tass.com) (09/18/00); Shashov, Alexander; The World Bank plans to distribute a $48 million credit on January 1, 2001, to help fund tuberculosis (TB) treatment efforts in Russian prisons. Another $2 million reportedly will be spent for HIV-infected prisoners in Russia. The credit will be used to buy tuberculosis drugs and equipment and train personnel. There ar
South African Labor Slams Mbeki on AIDS, Economy: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (09/18/00); Mnyandu, Ellis; The South African labor federation COSATU, the Congress of South African Trade Unions, has challenged President Thabo Mbeki to admit that HIV causes AIDS. At COSATU s annual meeting on Monday, union leader Willie Madisha criticized the government s policy on AIDS and called for Mbeki to stop wasting time speculating ab
Brief Interruption of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Reverses Adverse Lipid Effects: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (09/18/00); Dr. Richard T. Davey Jr. of the National Institutes of Health reports that a brief interruption of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) can help restore healthy lipid levels in HIV-infected patients. Davey and colleagues studied the effects of a brief HAART interruption on 26 HIV-infected men who had viral load
Liver Failure Common in HIV-Infected Patients: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (09/18/00); A report in a recent issue of the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (2000;24:211-217) shows that HIV-infected individuals often die from liver failure. Dr. Massimo Puoti of the Azienda Spedali Civili in Brescia, Italy , and colleagues studied nearly 1,900 HIV-infected patients for eight years, during which
The Oldest Profession Seeks New Market in West Europe: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (09/19/00) P. A1; Cohen, Roger; Prostitutes are moving westward in Europe, as the wealth of the western nations beckons many of those in Central and Eastern Europe. Many women end up in the Czech Republic because it is easier to get a visa there than in a European Union nation. A five-mile sex strip along the Czech-German border is home to numerous b
HIV Infection Misdiagnosed as Spotted Fever: United Press International (www.upi.com) (09/18/00); Susman, Ed; Patients who have symptoms of early HIV infection are sometimes misdiagnosed with spotted fever, according to Dr. Ferran Segura Porta, chief of infective disease at the Hospital of Sabadell in Spain . Because of this, doctors lose a chance to start fighting HIV during a critical stage. Segura, who reported his findings
Rare Diabetes Variant Found in Some HIV Patients: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (09/19/00) P. A12; Scientist Eric Renard of Montpelier University in France reported Monday a new type of diabetes in people infected with HIV. Speaking before the conference of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, Renard suggested the new diabetes could be linked to antiretroviral drugs given to treat AIDS patients. Scien
Estrogen Protects Against Vaginal Transmission of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus: Journal of Infectious Diseases Online (www.journals.uchicago.edu/JID) (09/00) Vol. 182, No. 3, P. 708; Smith, Stephen M.; Baskin, Gary B.; Marx, Preston A.; Researchers from New Jersey Medical School and Tulane Regional Primate Research Center evaluated the role of sex hormones in vaginal transmission of HIV. The scientists looked at ovariectomized female macaques who were given either progesterone or estrogen after SIVmac infection. The six untreated control monkeys and a
HIV Infections Up in Western Pacific Region: WHO: Kyodo News Service (home.kyodo.co.jp) (09/15/00); The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that more people in the Western Pacific region are becoming infected with HIV each year. The total number of HIV cases could reach 1 million by the end of 2000. Cambodia and Papua New Guinea have experienced
Lawmakers Introduce Needle Stick Safety Bill: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (09/15/00); Zwillich, Todd; A bipartisan bill called the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act would help protect healthcare workers from needle injuries, requiring hospitals and other employers of healthcare professionals to use safer medical devices. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that each year, nearly 400,000 healthcar
Bill Ensuring Specialist Care for HIV; AIDS Patients Signed by Governor: San Francisco Chronicle (www.sfgate.com) (09/16/00) P. A3; Lucas, Greg; Gledhill, Lynda; A bill signed by California Gov. Gray Davis on Friday requires health insurers to make sure that policyholders with HIV or AIDS are referred to AIDS specialists. The bill, which was sponsored by the AIDS Health Care Foundation, is a temporary measure and aims to help HIV and AIDS patients receive the best treatment. Fo
Cleric Calls Condom Use 'Lesser Evil' in HIV Fight: Boston Globe (www.boston.com/globe) (09/16/00) P. A1; Lewis, Raphael; Senior Vatican official Monsignor Jacques Suaudeau of the Pontifical Council for the Family quietly suggested earlier this year that the church alter its ban on condom use, noting that condoms are a lesser evil compared to spreading HIV. While Suaudeau follows the church s opposition to artificial birth control, he sta
HIV/AIDS: Budget Cuts Curb Prevention Efforts; WB Report Says Rate of Infection Still High: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com) (09/17/00); The first World Bank report on AIDS in Thailand shows that reductions in the country s HIV/AIDS budget has significantly affected prevention and care efforts. Eight percent of the budget was set aside for prevention programs, with 63 percent allocated for treatment and care and 16 percent for orphan care and programs t
Brazil Becomes Model in Fight Against AIDS; Government, Activists Team to Defy Epidemic Through Distribution of Drugs: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (09/17/00) P. A22; Buckley, Stephen; The Brazilian government s policy of producing generic AIDS drugs and distributing them free to patients has helped turn around the lives of many people with AIDS and has become a model for success. An estimated 580,000 of the country s 167 million residents are HIV-positive, compared to a forecast of 1.2 million back
Vaccine Helps Thwart Herpes in Women: Dallas Morning News (www.dallasnews.com) (09/18/00); Beil, Laura; A new vaccine appears to prevent herpes virus in women. The vaccine has proven 73 percent to 74 percent effective in preventing genital herpes in women who were considered at high risk for the infection because their sexual partners were already infected. The University of Utah s Dr. Spotswood Spruance, who reported hi
Abbott AIDS Medicine Gets FDA's Approval Earlier Than Expected: Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com) (09/18/00) P. A10; Abbott Laboratories obtained a surprising early approval from the Food and Drug Administration for its new protease inhibitor AIDS medicine, Kaletra , which reduced HIV in the bloodstream to undetectable levels for the majority of patients taking the drug during clinical trials.
Mother-to-Child Transmission of Hepatitis C Virus: Evidence for Preventable Peripartum Transmission: Lancet (www.thelancet.com) (09/09/00) Vol. 356, No. 9233, P. 904; Gibb, D.M.; Goodall, R.L.; Dunn, D.T.; et al.; British researchers evaluated hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected women and their infants to determine the rate of transmission for the virus between mother and child. A total of 441 mother-child pairs were studied at three hospitals in the United Kingdom and Ireland
Notice to Readers: Satellite Broadcast on HIV Prevention: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (www.cdc.gov/mmwr) (09/15/00) Vol. 49, No. 36, P. 831; A satellite broadcast called HIV Prevention Update: Men Who Have Sex With Men will take place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, November 30. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Public Health Training Network will sponsor the forum, which will focus on HIV prevention among men who have sex with men (
Stepping Forward: IAPAC Monthly (www.iapac.org/about/jarticles.html) (08/00) Vol. 6, No. 8, P. 216; Harmon, Kelly Safreed; Abbott Laboratories , led by vice president for pharmaceutical development John Leonard, has launched a new program called Step Forward. The program, which helps children orphaned by AIDS, was formally started in July. Abbott s team spent a year researching the needs of populations dealing with AIDS, including childr
[Australian Capital Territory] Government Endorses AIDS Strategy: Australian Broadcasting Corp. News (www.abc.net.au) (09/15/00); The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government has announced its support for the national AIDS strategy for the next four years. According to the country s National Council on AIDS and related diseases, the plan s chief goals are to end the transmission of HIV and limit the disease s social impact. ACT Health Minist
State Focusing on AIDS Prevention in Baton Rouge: Baton Rouge Advocate (www.theadvocate.com) (09/14/00) P. 14A; Anderson, Laurie Smith; The Office of Public Health s HIV/AIDS program may increase its prevention efforts in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which ranked 12th nationwide in AIDS case rates in 1999. The Baton Rouge metropolitan area had 189 new AIDS cases last year, for a rate of 32.6 cases per 100,000 people, according to the Centers for Disease Con
New Ads Try to Fight Rise in HIV; San Francisco Begins Campaign Focusing on Those Already Infected: San Francisco Chronicle (www.sfgate.com) (09/14/00) P. A20; Heredia, Christopher; San Francisco health officials believe a new advertising campaign will help reach HIV-positive gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals, sending the message HIV stops with me. The paid television ads, which will be broadcast starting next week during prime time on UPN, ABC, and cable stations, emphasize prevention fo
D.C. Budget Passes House With Limits: Addict Needle Program Gutted: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (09/15/00) P. B1; Fehr, Stephen C.; The House of Representatives passed on Thursday a $4.9 billion budget for the District of Columbia. The city s 2001 budget, which was narrowly passed with a vote of 217 to 207, included much debate as Democrats charged Republicans with shortchanging the capital city. GOP lawmakers added riders to the budget that bar th
Giuliani Pulls His Charts Out for a Review of New York: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (09/15/00) P. B9; Lipton, Eric; New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani recently presented data from an 800-page study known as the Mayor s Management Report, which show that the city is doing better overall but slipped in a few areas compared to last year. The mayor said that crime and new cases of AIDS are down, while tourism and employment are up. Wh
Clinton Asks Religious Leaders to Aid Poor Nations: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (09/14/00); At a White House prayer breakfast on Thursday, President Clinton called on America s religious leaders to fight for more U.S. funding to help other nations with debt relief, disease prevention, and education. The president said that the United States has responsibilities to help with debt relief and should lead the bat
F.D.A. Panel Rejects Bid to Ease Ban on Blood Donations by Gays: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (09/15/00) P. A25; The Food and Drug Administration s (FDA s) scientific advisers rejected on Thursday a proposal to lift the ban on gay men donating blood, with a 7-to-6 vote. The advisers cited a lack of evidence showing that the nation s blood supply is safe from AIDS. Men who have had sex with men, even just once, since 1977 are not
Ape Herpes Viruses May Be Transmissible to Humans: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (09/13/00); Scientists from the Pasteur Institute in Paris have detected and sequenced a gene fragment from three ape viruses that are related to the herpes virus KSHV, which causes Kaposi s sarcoma. Herpes viruses in humans can cause a number of illnesses, including cold sores, chicken pox, and genital herpes . The research
Action Needed to Help AIDS Orphans, U.N. Panel Warns: Philadelphia Daily News Online (www.philly.com) (09/13/00); Dr. Peter Piot, the director of UNAIDS , has called attention to the plight of AIDS orphans, who he says are so neglected and so ignored by the international community. According to estimates, 16 million children are without one or both parents because of AIDS, and that number could soar to 30 million within 10 years.
ANC Asks Mbeki to Admit HIV-AIDS Link: Fox News Online (www.foxnews.com) (09/14/00); A committee of South Africa s African National Congress (ANC) has called on President Thabo Mbeki to admit that HIV causes AIDS, according to newspaper reports. Quoting a confidential document leaked to the Cape Times newspaper, newspapers of the Independent Group said the appeal noted, The predominant scientific view
FDA Eyes Drug Firm's Marketing: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (09/14/00) P. E3; O'Harrow, Robert Jr.; The Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) will investigate whether Schering-Plough Corp. stayed within agency rules that define advertising and promotion actions when the drug company formed groups to call attention to hepatitis C and increase sales of its drug Rebetron. FDA spokeswomen Laura Bradbard said the FDA will
Cracking the Code of Immunity Research on T Cells May Lead to Vaccines Against Cancer, AIDS: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (09/14/00) P. 9D; Sternberg, Steve; Ellis Reinherz, a professor of medicine at Harvard University and head of immunobiology at Dana-Farber Cancer Research Institute in Boston, had an idea that helper T cells could be manipulated to target cancer cells and germs. His friend, actor William Hurt, and others helped raise $150 million for the Molecular Immuno
Program to Test for HIV Gets $1 Million Boost: United Press International (www.upi.com) (09/13/00); Living4Life, a Los Angeles program founded by Oasis Clinic at King Drew Hospital director Wilbert Jordan , received a $1 million donation from Glaxo Wellcome on Wednesday. The program encourages HIV-infected individuals to bring in friends whose behavior puts them at risk for infectio
World Bank Approves AIDS Help: Minneapolis Star Tribune Online (www2.startribune.com) (09/13/00); The World Bank has approved $500 million in credits to help Africa fight AIDS and has recommended that another $85 million to $100 million in loans be given to help the Caribbean. Ethiopia and Kenya will be the first two African nations to benefit from the credits and will receive $59.7 million and $50 million, respect
Study Finds AIDS Drug Does No Prenatal Harm: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (09/14/00) P. A20; A small study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (2000;343:759-766) shows that infants whose mothers had received AZT to help prevent HIV transmission to their babies had no evidence of heart damage. Other studies have suggested that prenatal exposures to the drug might affect babies hearts. The study,
Mother-to-Child HIV-1 Transmission: Lancet (www.thelancet.com) (09/09/00) Vol. 356, No. 9233, P. 945; Cates, Willard, Jr.; Allen, Melissa; In a letter to the editor, researchers from Family Health International respond to Mofenson and McIntyre s recent overview of HIV-1 transmission to newborns. They suggest that avoiding perinatal transmission is possible by preventing unwanted pregnancies in HIV-positive women. The authors note that clinicians should be
The HIV Disbeliever: Newsweek (www.newsweek.com) (08/28/0) Vol. 134, No. 9, P. 46; Christine Maggiore is head of Alive & Well AIDS Alternatives, a group that does not promote the usual AIDS activism. Instead, Maggiore is part of a school of thought that does not believe HIV causes AIDS. She tells patients to stop taking medication and to forget about condoms to contain the virus. Her opinion has
South Africans Badly Need Sex Education, Says Minister: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (09/12/00); According to South African Education Minister Kader Asmal, South African children need more sex education to stop unplanned pregnancy and HIV. Asmal said that sex education has been lacking for decades and has not been taken seriously in schools. Teachers are now receiving training to teach safe sex as a way to prevent
Cocoon for TB Cases; Hospitals to Test Invention: Toronto Sun (www.canoe.ca/torontosun) (09/13/00) P. 24; Lem, Sharon; Three Toronto hospitals are experimenting with a C$20,000 isolation booth that may help keep tuberculosis (TB) and influenza from spreading among patients and staff. The easy- to-set-up booth, which includes a pump that changes the air in the negative-pressure space every six seconds, can hold patients without placing
Jackson Again Urges Black Ministers Here [in St. Louis] to Be Tested for HIV: St. Louis Post-Dispatch (www.stlnet.com) (09/12/00) P. D1; Vega, Elizabeth; On Monday, the Rev. Jesse Jackson called on St. Louis-area ministers to be tested for HIV, as part of his effort to end the silence regarding AIDS in African-American communities. Jackson urged 100 area ministers, as well as community leaders and athletes, to get tested for HIV. It is time for us to fight the taboo and
Ban on Gays' Blood May Be Lifted: Houston Chronicle (www.chron.com) (09/11/00) P. 3A; Men who have sex with men have been prohibited from donating blood since 1985, but better HIV tests and an increase in HIV infections among heterosexuals has led federal officials to reconsider that policy. There is a growing need for blood, the demand for which outpaces the number of donations per year. Blood banks ar
Teens, Parents Do Agree on HIV, STDs: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (09/13/00) P. 6D; A new survey from Liberty Mutual and Students Against Drunk Driving shows that teenagers and parents both say that the threat of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases is their greatest concern. But after that top concern, parents and teens differ, the report found. The teens surveyed then focused more on drinking
Top AIDS Researchers Need to Focus on Developing Nations: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (09/12/00); Ault, Alicia; UNAIDS Director Dr. Peter Piot called on top AIDS researchers to focus on helping HIV-infected people in developing countries. Speaking at an international meeting of the Institute for Human Virology in Baltimore on Monday, Piot criticized researchers for focusing too much on the Western world. He also urged scienti
World Bank Rethinks Poverty; Report Finds Traditional Approach Fails: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (09/13/00) P. E1; Pearlstein, Steven; The World Bank has called for a new approach to poverty, giving more power to the poor in times of crisis. The bank s World Development Report holds a new view: that the best way to stop poverty is for rich nations to emphasize better government institutions in poor nations. Nicholas Stern, World Bank chief economist,
Caribbean, Badly Hurt, Is Promised Help on AIDS: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (09/13/00) P. A5; Gonzalez, David; International donors have pledged $120 million to help the Caribbean fight HIV and AIDS. The pledge, which includes a World Bank plan for $85 million to $100 million in loans, came after a conference on AIDS in Barbados highlighted the rise of the epidemic in the region. Officials estimate there are 360,000 HIV and AID
An Eclectic Look at Infectious Diseases: Scientist (www.the-scientist.com) (08/21/00) Vol. 14, No. 16, P. 1; Lewis, Ricki; The International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases, held July 16 to 19 in Atlanta, brought together 2,000 researchers, health workers, biologists, and others. The meeting covered topics from politics, economics, and weather, to malaria, polio, AIDS, tuberculosis, Nipah virus, and bioterrorism. The Nipah virus
Barbados: Stemming AIDS: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (09/12/00) P. A5; Members of the Caribbean Community are meeting in Barbados for two days to discuss forming a regional response to the AIDS epidemic. Haiti and the Dominican Republic account for the overwhelming majority of HIV and AIDS cases in the Caribbean, but the vir
Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence Better in Women Than in Men: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (09/11/00); A prospective study from Dr. Bernardino Roca of Hospital General in Castellon, Spain , shows that women are more likely than men to adhere to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). A study of 65 HIV-positive subjects who stopped previous antiretroviral treatment due to suboptimal efficacy or side effects showed
Estrogen Creams Could Help Protect Some Women Against HIV: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (09/11/00); Dr. Stephen Smith of the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center in New York reported at the meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America that topical estrogen creams could prevent heterosexual HIV transmission in women taking progestin-only contraceptive pills. Smith explained that women using Depo- Provera or oth
Albright Joins Fight Against AIDS: Minneapolis Star-Tribune Online (www2.startribune.com) (09/12/00); Secretary of State Madeleine Albright joined with 12 female foreign ministers on Monday to lend momentum to the global fight against AIDS. Albright noted that throughout the world, nearly 3 million people die from AIDS every year, with more than 10,000 new infections a day and an increasing number of women being affect
Group Founded by Sun Myung Moon Preaches Sexual Abstinence in China: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (09/12/00) P. A6; Rosenthal, Elisabeth; A New York-based foundation called the International Educational Foundation has spent years spreading its message of abstinence before marriage in China . The group believes sex before marriage is wrong and that only abstinence can prevent HIV infection. The foundation, started by Rev. Sun Myung Moon, founder of the Un
Grass Roots Seeded by Drugmaker: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (09/12/00) P. A1; O'Harrow, Robert, Jr.; New healthcare groups are calling attention to hepatitis C virus (HCV), as they form coalitions in 11 states, distributing information packets. These coalitions are not formed by citizens, but are part of a marketing campaign by Schering-Plough to sell their HCV therapy, called Rebetron, which costs $18,000 a year. Th
World Bank Is Targeting AIDS in Africa: Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com) (09/12/00) P. A3; Phillips, Michael; The World Bank is starting a campaign that promises what is almost unlimited funds to fight AIDS in Africa. The bank is upholding its pledge to not let money prevent anti-AIDS plans. The bank s board is expected to provide an initial $500 million in emergency credit, getting the money quickly to the countries, accordin
Tests Fail to Show Link Between HIV, Polio Vaccine: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (09/12/00) P. A23; Reid, T.R.; New evidence presented in London shows that it is unlikely that the AIDS epidemic began from a mistake among polio researchers in the 1950s. Claudio Basilico of the New York University School of Medicine stated at London s Royal Society on Monday that there is no evidence of HIV in seven samples of the oral polio vacci
Iran Official Calls for AIDS Education in Schools: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (09/11/00); Senior Iranian official Gholamreza Sahraian, a reformist ally of President Khatami and governor of Fars, is calling for AIDS education in school textbooks. He also stated that teachers should learn about AIDS and how it is spread. Formal education about sex has been taboo in the country for more than 20 years.
Drug Use and Unsafe Sex High Among Gay Men at Circuit Parties: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (09/08/00); Mozes, Alan; A study from Dr. Grant Colfax, director in clinical studies HIV research in the San Francisco Department of Public Health, shows that American gay men who attend dance events known as circuit parties frequently engage in drug use and unsafe sex there, leading to a high risk of contracting HIV. Colfax and colleagues stu
Annual Meeting Discusses State AIDS Trends; Cases Show Steady Decline in Infection Among Caucasians, Steady Increase Among African Americans: Allentown Morning Call (www.mcall.com) (09/09/00) P. A20; Keenan, Jennifer; In Pennsylvania, the number of AIDS cases among Caucasians has been falling steadily, although the number of cases among African Americans is on the rise, according to a state official. At the annual meeting of AIDSNET, a federally mandated planning coalition for six counties, Janice Kopelman- -director of the state He
Rare Bone Disorder Found in HIV Patients: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (09/09/00) P. A10; Altman, Lawrence K.; Researchers from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have found that a bone disorder called osteo necrosis is disproportionately affecting people with HIV. They are unsure what is causing the bone destruction and why it is only being seen now. The disorder, which leads to bone death from lack of blood supply, is af
U.N. Summit Yields Fine Words, Action Uncertain: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (09/10/00); Taylor, Paul; Last week s U.N. Millennium Summit, which brought together the largest number of heads of state ever, did not make progress towards ending regional conflicts ranging from the Balkans to Africa. However, the 150 kings, presidents, and government heads at the meeting did set a goal in their Millennium Declaration to redu
Administration Asks Business and Labor to Join in AIDS Fight: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (09/08/00); Zwillich, Todd; The U.S. government is calling on businesses and labor unions to help fight HIV both in this country and overseas, in an effort to prevent a loss of labor and manufacturing capabilities. Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala said Friday that by 2020, AIDS will have taken millions of people from the labor ma
South Africa's Mbeki Clings to Controversial AIDS Stance: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (09/10/00); Seccombe, Allan; South African President Thabo Mbeki has once again sparked controversy, reiterating his belief that HIV is not the sole cause of AIDS. In an interview with Time magazine, published on the magazine s Web site, Mbeki stated that poverty, poor nutrition, and sexually transmitted diseases are all factors that contribute to
Contaminated Polio Vaccine 'May Have Caused' AIDS: Financial Times (www.ft.com) (09/11/00) P. 12; Pilling, David; A gathering of scientists at the Royal Society in London today will assess claims that HIV made its way to humans from monkeys, via a tainted live polio vaccine given to over 1 million children in Africa during the 1950s. Live vaccines at the time were often prepared using kidney tissue from monkeys. While those involv
Public Health in Developing Countries: Lancet (www.thelancet.com) (09/02/00) Vol. 356, No. 9232, P. 841; Macfarlane, Sarah; Racelis, Mary; Muli-Musiime, Florence; Public health in less developed countries is tied to poverty, debt, and conflicts. While health improvements were made in Africa and Asia during the 20th century, political instability, weak health infrastructure, and the rise of AIDS have affected the quality of healthcare. Deaths from malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, canc
Hepatitis Foundation Promotes Liver Wellness Education: Infectious Diseases in Children (www.slackinc.com/idc.htm) (08/00) Vol. 13, No. 8, P. 52; The Hepatitis Foundation International has published a liver wellness primer for teachers that contains hepatitis B virus prevention messages. The pamphlet is intended to help teach students about avoiding liver-damaging behavior, including substance abuse, and hepatitis B vaccination. The messages are aimed at childre
Trade in Infected Blood Raises International Furor: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (09/06/00); Kumar, Sanjay; Austrian, Swiss, and U.K. officials are trying to track down blood plasma contaminated with HIV, hepatitis C, and syphilis, that was allegedly sold by South African firms to brokers in Switzerland and the United Kingdom . Authorities fear that brokers have been selling relabeled contaminated blood products to various c
Sex Ed, Contraception Lowers Teen Pregnancy Rate: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (09/07/00); Researchers at the World Congress of Gynecology and Obstetrics report that sex education in school, contraceptive use, and legal abortions helped reduce the teen pregnancy rates in Sweden and Scandinavia. For every 1,000 Swedish teens aged 15 to 19 in 1965, 50 became pregnant; but that rate had fallen to 10 pregnancies
Interleukin-2 Study for HIV/AIDS Under Way at Northwestern and Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center: Postnet Online (www.postnet.com) (09/07/00); Researchers from Northwestern University Medical School and Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke s Medical Center are studying interleukin-2 ( IL-2 ) as a possible way to increase T-cell counts in HIV-infected patients. A recent study showed that IL-2, a T-cell growth factor, significantly boosted T-cell counts, versus treatment
Processing Method to Remove HIV-1 May Make Semen Safe for Artificial Insemination: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (09/07/00); Japanese researchers, led by Dr. Hideji Hanabusa of Ogikubo Hospital in Tokyo, have found a way to separate HIV-1 from the semen of men infected with the virus, so it could be used for artificial insemination in uninfected women. The study involved semen samples from 12 HIV-1-infected men with hemophilia. To separate t
Mugabe Announces That AIDS Had Killed Ministers: PANA Wire Service (www.africanews.org/PANA) (09/07/00); Zimbabwe s President, Robert Mugabe, told participants at the United Nations Millennium Summit this week that three of his cabinet ministers and many traditional chiefs have died from AIDS in the last several years. Mugabe asked for international help to fight the disease, which is taking the lives of an estimated 2,00
U.S. Efforts on HIV/AIDS and Infectious Diseases: U.S. Newswire (www.usnewswire.com) (09/08/00); The Clinton administration has released a statement showing its strong support for United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan s call for international action to fight HIV. The statement notes that the White House also backs Annan s recommendation that health research be focused on issues that affect the majority of th
Ill DeKalb Inmates Pose Public Threat, Hearing Told: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (www.accessatlanta.com) (09/08/00) P. 6C; Sager, Brenden; Dr. Robert Greifinger, a court-appointed medical auditor, told a Superior Court in DeKalb, Georgia , Thursday that not treating inmates communicable diseases could threaten the public s health. Greifinger--who audited the DeKalb County Jail for three days as part of a suit in which inmates at the jail are fighting for
Socioeconomic Status and Survival of Persons With AIDS Before and After the Introduction of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy: Epidemiology (www.epidem.com) (09/00) Vol. 11, No. 5, P. 496; Rapiti, Elisabetta; Porta, Daniela; Forastiere, Francesco; et al.; Researchers for the Lazio AIDS Surveillance Collaborative Group examined the survival and socioeconomic status (SES) of AIDS patients between two periods, 1993 to 1995 and 1996 to 1997, which is before and after the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Data taken from the AIDS Surveillance Syst
Growing Problem in Latino Community Sparks Interest: AIDS Alert (www.ahcpub.com/online.html) (08/00) Vol. 15, No. 8, P. 89; As HIV continues to affect more Hispanics in the United States , one Chicago researcher has started a new prevention campaign aimed at Hispanic women. Dr. Nilda Peragallo, an associate professor at the College of Nursing in the University of Illinois at Chicago, hopes to reduce the number of Hispanic women become infec
African Leaders Lament Conflicts, AIDS: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (09/06/00); Mseteka, Buchizya; African leaders at the U.N. Millennium Summit in New York discussed poverty, HIV/AIDS, and conflicts in their continent, asking for global help. South African President Thabo Mbeki stated that developed countries seem more willing to help Africa, but he called on Africans to also contribute more to ending problems at h
[Washington, D.C.'s] Budget Goes to House Today: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (09/07/00) P. B3; The District of Columbia s $4.9 billion fiscal year 2001 budget is set to go before the House of Representatives today, and a private needle exchange program in the city may be a cause for debate. One Kansas Republican is expected to introduce an amendment prohibiting a private, nonprofit clinic from handing out needle
Think Tuberculosis Is Gone?: Deseret News (09/06/00) P. A8; An editorial in the Deseret News points out that, contrary to what many Americans believe, tuberculosis (TB) is not a distant memory and takes the lives of millions of people every year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one-third of the world is infected with at least a latent form of TB, i
Solar-Powered Device Inactivates HIV in Breast Milk: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (09/06/00); Madsen, Bjorn Falck; A solar-powered Danish invention that involves pasteurizing HIV-infected breast milk at 60 degree Celsius for 30 minutes can inactivate HIV and bacteria, possibly providing an affordable solution for fighting HIV in developing countries. The annual cost per child would be about $100, according to Dr. Anders Fjendbo Jor
Privacy Concerns Delay HIV Proposal: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Online (www.post-gazette.com) (09/07/00); Gojgic, Ljubica; The Board of Health in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, has decided to postpone action on making HIV a reportable disease, in order to ensure patient privacy is protected. So far, 28 states require hospitals and doctors to report HIV cases to health agencies; Pennsylvania requires only AIDS cases to be reported. The pro
Treatment Is Scarce for Russians With AIDS: Experts Say More Than a Million People Might Be HIV-Infected by Next Year: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (09/07/00) P. 15A; Walt, Vivienne; AIDS treatments in Russia are scarce, and Moscow s only AIDS center is a crumbling building. Russia s AIDS epidemic, fueled by intravenous drug abuse and promiscuity, could reach over 1 million people by early next year, according to experts. As of August, Russia had reports of over 52,400 HIV infections; however, many
Firms Juggle Stigma, Needs of More Workers With HIV; Latest Drug Therapies Let More People With AIDS Go Back to Work: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (09/07/00) P. 1B; Armour, Stephanie; Advances in drug treatment have helped an increasing number of HIV-infected individuals to return to work. There are an estimated 800,000 to 900,000 people in the United States living with HIV, and data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that about 40,000 new HIV infections occur in the country ea
New Fronts in an Old War: Nature (www.nature.com) (08/17/00) Vol. 406, No. 6797, P. 670; Butler, Declan; Recent developments in tuberculosis (TB) research have led to potential new therapies. The sequencing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the first step towards treatment progress. Normally treated with four drugs, TB can remain latent for years, needing extensive months of drug therapy to kill remaining bacteria. Directl
Kenya: Prostitutes Trained on HIV/AIDS: Africa News Service (www.africanews.org) (09/05/00); Kenyan health official Dr. Fred Owino recently said that counseling and training prostitutes has helped fight HIV in Kisumu municipality. Through counseling and training, we have noticed that most sex workers no longer charge more money for unprotected sex. They now insist that you either use a condom or you [leave],
One Fifth of South African Nurses HIV-Positive: United Press International (www.upi.com) (09/05/00); Kalyegira, Timothy; According to a report in the Johannesburg Star newspaper, about 20 percent of South Africa s registered nurses are HIV- positive. The paper quoted Dr. Annette van der Merwe of the Hospital Association of South Africa, who also told participants at a medical conference on Monday that over 50 percent of first-year nursin
AIDS/HIV: South Africa Seeks Thai Advice on Health Campaign: Exchange of Medical Experts Suggested: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com) (09/06/00); South Africa s deputy foreign minister praised Thailand on Tuesday for its success in stemming the spread of HIV. Aziz Pahad, in Thailand to boost trade and investment relations between the two nations, noted that Thailand s achievements could be used as the basis for similar HIV prevention efforts in his country. The
WHO and SAARC to Collaborate in Public Health Initiatives: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (09/05/00); Kumar, Sanjay; The World Health Organization (WHO) and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) have signed an agreement to promote collaboration on such health issues as malaria, tuberculosis, and AIDS. The signing of the five-year agreement was set to coincide with the 18th meeting of health ministers from the WHO s
India's Billion Plus Population Vulnerable to AIDS Threat: WHO: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (09/05/00); The director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), Gro Harlem Brundtland, said Tuesday that with continued growth in the base number of infections, India is increasingly vulnerable to HIV. Although India and the South Asian region are not hit to the same extent as African countries, the curse is unfolding and
Report Details Dismal Health Conditions for Third World Women: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (09/05/00); Zwillich, Todd; Women in developing countries are at a much greater risk of dying from improper medical care during pregnancy and delivery than women in industrialized nations, according to a report from the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO). The report shows that women in developing nations receive poor hea
Providence, R.I., Doctor Decodes Vaccine Strips, Raises HIV, TB Funds: Providence Journal-Bulletin (www.projo.com) (09/06/00); Donovan, William J.; Dr. Anne De Groot, a professor at Brown University, is on a mission to prevent the spread of HIV and tuberculosis (TB). Her start-up firm EpiVax uses computer technology to look through genetic material to create a vaccine. Her goal is not personal wealth, but to help fight disease. Each year, 1.9 million people die fr
Summit in New York: Annan Says All Nations Must Cooperate to Solve Problems Like War and Poverty: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (09/06/00) P. A12; Wren, Christopher S.; United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has warned that all countries must cooperate to fight war, disease, and poverty. Speaking at a news conference before the three-day summit in New York, Annan also said, The issues we are dealing with--from the elimination of poverty to the fight against AIDS and the protectio
Marginal Structural Models to Estimate the Causal Effect of Zidovudine on the Survival of HIV-Positive Men: Epidemiology (09/00) Vol. 11, No. 5, P. 561; Hernan, Miguel Angel; Brumback, Babette; Robins, James M.; Between 1984 and 1991, the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study enrolled more than 5,600 gay and bisexual men who had no prior AIDS-defining illness from four major metropolitan areas. The study focused on the 2,178 men who attended at least one visit between visits 5 and 21 while infected and who were not taking antiretrovir
Correction to 8/25/00 Prevention News Update: US to Raise Public Awareness About Hepatitis C: Reuters Health information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/24/00); The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Advisory Committee on Blood Safety and Availability has voted to increase public awareness of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, as part of the Surgeon General s nationwide effort. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher had previously announced plans to send a Dear Citizen l
Antibiotics Not Working on Typhoid, Other Diseases: United Press International (www.upi.com) (09/04/00); Nearly two-thirds of typhoid patients in Bangladesh are not responding to conventional antibiotic treatments, according to reports. Doctors, pharmacists, and others say that overuse, substandard drugs, self-prescription, and ignorance are all contributing factors to the drugs ineffectiveness. A six- year study from th
WHO Chief Links Indian Health, Poverty: Fox News Online (www.foxnews.com) (09/03/00); Gro Harlem Brundtland, the director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), is calling for better poverty relief action in India , to help prevent diseases like AIDS and polio. She said India has high rates of tuberculosis, AIDS, malaria, and polio, and needs to tackle poverty to reduce the spread of disease.
More Teens Just Say No: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (09/05/00) P. A25; Kean, Tom; Sawhill, Isabel; The teenage birth rate in the United States has been falling since the early 1990s, but there is still the question of what is causing the decline. In a commentary, Tom Kean and Isabel Sawhill, the chairman and president, respectively, of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, note that teenagers are being mo
HIV-Suppressing Drugs May Cause Impotence: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (09/04/00); Mundell, E.J.; A new study from Dr. R. Colebunders of the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium , shows that protease inhibitors could lead to sexual dysfunction in some HIV- infected individuals. The survey of over 1,000 European adults with HIV found that 48 percent of the men and women taking protease inhibitors repor
AIDS Program Targets People Over 50: Miami Herald Online (www.herald.com) (09/03/00); Figueras, Tere; Men and women over age 50 represent over 10 percent of the nation s AIDS cases. A new program supported by Catholic Hospice and the Miami-Dade County Health Department in Florida is targeting baby boomers and senior citizens for its weekly education seminars. The meetings focus on living with HIV/AIDS and caring for lo
Panel Will Study Ways to Stop Spread of AIDS: Mobile Register Online (www.al.com/mobile) (09/03/00); Rabb, William; Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman has appointed an advisory panel to study ways to reduce the spread of HIV, which has taken the lives of more than 3,000 state residents in the past 18 years. AIDS activists support the move, noting that for years Alabama paid little attention to AIDS. Kathy Hiers, executive director of Mobile
Shared Cultures Aid HIV Program; Minorities Help Teach AIDS Prevention, Care: Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel (www.sun-sentinel.com) (09/03/00) P. 1B; Melendez, Mel; Angel Nunez, an education coordinator for the Farmworker Coordinating Council of Palm Beach County in Florida, distributes HIV prevention information to migrant workers in the area. It s easier for me to reach them, Nunez explains. They know I understand where they re coming from because I m Hispanic. Florida recently
African Leaders to Meet Annan, Discuss Flash Points: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (09/05/00); Mseteka, Buchizya; The presidents of South Africa , Malawi , Namibia , and Zimbabwe will meet with United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today to discuss war, debt relief, and AIDS in their countries. According to analysts, Africa s huge debt load has forced many countries to spend
AIDS Activists Take South African Government to Court: Lancet (www.thelancet.com) (08/26/00) Vol. 356, No. 9231, P. 746; Baleta, Adele; South African AIDS activists plan to take their government to court because it refuses to provide HIV-positive pregnant women with drugs to help prevent vertical transmission of HIV. The Treatment Action Campaign set an August 18 deadline for the health department to change its policies on treating pregnant women. Afte
[Israeli] AIDS Task Force Reopens: Jerusalem Post (www.jpost.com) (08/31/00) P. 5; Gleit, Heidi J.; Siegel, Judy; The Israel AIDS Task Force has reopened its doors after protests led to increased financial support. The Health, Education, Labor, and Social Affairs Ministries will transfer 500,000 New Israeli Shekels to the group that provides HIV care and prevention education. Pressure on government officials, including a hunger st
Canada Tightens Blood Donation Rules: United Press International (www.upi.com) (08/31/00); Canadian Blood Services will not allow people who spent over six months in France between 1980 and 1996 to donate blood. The federal health department stated that the risk of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, or mad cow disease, has forced the precautions. While there has never been a reported case of humans contracting the d
Zonagen to Study Herpes Treatment: Houston Chronicle (www.chron.com) (08/30/00) P. 2C; Zonagen, a biotechnology company based in The Woodlands, Texas, has received a small business innovation grant to study a topical therapy for genital herpes . The $96,843 grant from the National Institutes of Health will be used to investigate topically applied alpha-interferon for the treatment of the sexually transmi
Saliva Useful for Monitoring Indinavir Levels in HIV-Infected Patients: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/31/00); Gale, Karla; German researchers led by Dr. Uwe Wintergerst of University Children s Hospital in Munich have found that HIV-infected patients treated with indinavir have drug concentrations in saliva similar to plasma levels. Therefore, saliva could be used to monitor the drug and study its antiviral efficacy. Samples of blood and s
Abstinence Program Targeting Students: New Orleans Times-Picayune (www.nola.com) (08/31/00) P. 1; Ing, Connie; In Louisiana, the Governor s Program on Abstinence is going on a 100-city tour to launch the new campaign. At the 81st stop, in St. Bernard Parish, no one showed up, although it turns out the lack of audience was due to a scheduling error instead of a lack of interest. The program, which was developed out of the federa
If Mom OKs Birth Control, Teens More Likely to Have Sex: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/31/00); A new study from Drs. James Jaccard and Patricia Dittus of the State University of New York, Albany, shows that teens who think their mothers approve of them using birth control are more likely to have sex. A total of 10,000 students in grades seven through 11 were interviewed, revealing that teens who felt strongly th
British Begin Human Testing of H.I.V. Vaccine: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (09/01/00) P. A3; Researchers launched on Thursday clinical tests of the first HIV vaccine specifically designed to fight Clade A HIV-1 infection, which is prevalent in many parts of Africa. A total of 18 volunteers in Oxford, England, will receive the experimental vaccine, according to the Medical Research Council. The researchers said
High Mortality Among Women With HIV-1 Infection in Thailand: Lancet (www.thelancet.com) (08/26/00) Vol. 356, No. 9231, P. 771; Kilmarx, Peter H.; Limpakarnjanarat, Kanchit; Saisorn, Supachai; et al.; Researchers from the HIV/AIDS Collaboration of Thailand and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that HIV-1 infection was introduced in northern Thailand during the late 1980s, and from there it spread quickly. The authors compared mortality rates among women with prevalent and incident HIV-1 infect
European Union Approves Bristol Myers' New Videx Formulation: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (07/26/00); The European Union (EU) has approved Bristol-Myers Squibb s Videx gastro-resistant capsules. The capsules, a new formulation of a previously approved version of the drug, enable the drug to move easily through the stomach, without being degraded. Videx was approved in the EU in 1991 and is the only nucleoside analogue
Kenya: High AIDS Rate Among Nurses: Africa News Service (www.africanews.org) (08/30/00); Yier, Agai; A major hospital staff deficit in Nyanza, Kenya , stems from the fact that four out of ever 30 nurses in the region have HIV-related illnesses, according to Provincial Medical Officer Dr. Ambrose Misore. Dr. Misore noted, Every weekend we raise funds for staff funerals. Because there is an embargo on employment, we are
Sex Clients Shun HIV Tests: South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com) (08/31/00) P. 7; So, Antoine; A survey by the Chinese University in Hong Kong interviewed 252 heterosexual men and 85 gay men ages 18 to 60 who visited prostitutes within the previous six months. The survey found that only 41 of the heterosexual men and 13 of the gay men had been tested for HIV. Nearly one-third of the men who had not yet been tes
Gut Said to Open the Door to HIV: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/30/00); Researchers from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) have found why HIV infection flourishes in the gut instead of in blood circulating in the body s periphery. Dr. Peter Anton, an associate professor of digestive diseases at UCLA, and colleagues report in the August issue of AIDS that immune system cell
Tainted Blood Victims [in Canada] Take Deal: Calgary Sun (www.calgarysun.com) (08/31/00) P. 8; Patients in Canada s tainted blood scandal have reluctantly agreed to a C$79 million compensation deal that will clear the Canadian Red Cross Society of any liability. The individuals involved in this case were infected with hepatitis C or HIV either before 1986 or after 1990, thus making them ineligible for the federa
Teen Sex Poll Will Aid in Disease Fight: Edmonton Sun (www.canoe.ca/edmontonsun/home.html) (08/31/00) P. 55; Jacobs, Mindelle; Health professionals and education experts are perplexed as to why today s informed teenagers are still having unprotected sex. According to Health Canada , the chlamydia rate for females ages 15 to 19 was six times that for males in 1996, and nine times above the national rate. Chlamydia and gonorrhea rates remain ala
County Moves to OK Needle Exchanges; Supervisors Declare a Public Health Emergency as a Formal Step: Los Angeles Times (www.latimes.com) (08/30/00) P. B1; Riccardi, Nicholas; The Los Angeles Board of Supervisors has declared a public health emergency in Los Angeles County, clearing the way for a legal needle exchange program. The declaration is the first step required under state law to allow clean needles to be traded for used ones. Dr. Jonathan Fielding, the county s public health directo
Council to Revisit Needle Exchange Plan: Washington Post--P.G. Extra (www.washingtonpost.com) (08/31/00) P. M3; Schwartzman, Paul; In Maryland, the Prince George s County Council will hold a public hearing in the next six weeks to discuss if the county should begin a needle exchange program. Six months ago, council member Peter Shapiro (D-Brentwood) and Thomas Hendershot (D-New Carrollton) proposed the idea to allow drug users to trade dirty needl
Britain Starts Human Trials of AIDS Vaccine: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (08/31/00); Kelland, Kate; A member of parliament in England, Dr. Evan Harris, will on Thursday be the first human to receive a new experimental vaccine against AIDS. If the vaccine is found safe, it will be given to subjects in Nairobi, Kenya , in about three to six months. The experimental DNA vaccine, being tested by Britain s Medical Researc
Public Health in Europe: Lancet (www.thelancet.com) (08/19/00) Vol. 356, No. 9230, P. 665; McKee, Martin; Jacobson, Bobbie; Public health issues in Europe vary by country, but tuberculosis (TB) and AIDS continue to plague many areas, including Russia and Eastern Europe. In Russia, TB deaths have reached a level seen 20 years ago, due to the poor prison system and increasing rate of HIV. Russia s criminal justice system is near collapse, and
Nurse Makes House Calls and Provides a Safety Net for Poor: Los Angeles Times (www.latimes.com) (08/29/00) P. B2; MacGregor, Hilary E.; Public health nurse Mary Mason enters crumbling garages, houses, and trailers in Los Angeles County, California, to help reach poor and uninsured people, many of whom do not speak English. She often sees patients with food-borne illnesses, tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases, or hepatitis, with cases of meningi
Ricky Ray Fund Begins Payments to AIDS Patients and Families: Sarasota Herald-Tribune (www.newscoast.com) (08/29/00) P. A4; Zaloudek, Mark; The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Monday that it has started notifying approximately 670 AIDS patients or their families that they will receive $100,000 checks under the Ricky Ray Hemophilia Relief Fund. The act was passed in 1998 to compensate patients with blood-clotting disorders who contrac
Clinton Addresses Women's Role in War Against AIDS in Africa: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/29/00); President Clinton stressed the need for HIV/AIDS prevention and education during a speech at Nigeria s National Center for Women s Development in Abuja over the weekend. Clinton pledge U.S. support for initiatives to help women and children avoid disease, and he called on women to break the silence around AIDS. For fis
Highly Active Antiretroviral Treatment May Cause Curly Hair: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/29/00); Researchers from Belgium , led by Dr. Robert Colebunders of the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, have found that long-term use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) can result in curly hair. The researchers write in the Archives of Dermatology (2000;136:1064-1065) that a 48-year- old truck driver di
AIDS Overwhelms Caribbean Isles: Detroit News Online (www.detnews.com) (08/27/00); Perry, Dan; In Trinidad , and most of the Caribbean, AIDS carries a stigma so great few people openly admit they are infected with HIV. Jemma Taylor felt the stigma, but decided that she needed to end the silence in Trinidad, where a lack of funding and fear of losing tourists keeps the disease quiet.
Health Program Combats STDs: Anchorage Daily News (www.adn.com) (08/29/00); Potempa, Ann; Prompted by a high rate of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in Alaska, healthcare workers have launched an outreach program to help identify and treat infected residents. State law requires health workers to report all cases of gonorrhea and chlamydia. Alaska reported nearly 1,900 cases of chlamydia in 1999, with 3
AIDS Virus Used B-Cells to Spread: Study: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (08/30/00); A new study from the National Institutes of Health shows that HIV, which destroys T-cells, can also attach itself to B-cells in blood and spread throughout the body. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said the study helps scientists understand how HIV infection con
Concerns Raised About Botswana's Proposed HIV-Disclosure Law: Lancet (www.thelancet.com) (08/19/00) Vol. 356, No. 9230, P. 662; Ahmad, Khabir; Botswana s Minister of Health, Joy Phumaphi, recently announced that the country is considering a mandatory law for disclosure of HIV status to sex partners. An estimated 36 percent of Botswana s 150 million residents are infected with HIV. The proposed law has created fear that fewer people will seek HIV testing. Jose
Ribozyme-Mediated Inhibition of HIV 1 Suggests Nucleolar Trafficking of HIV-1 RNA: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Online (www.pnas.org) (08/01/00) Vol. 97, No. 16, P. 8955; Michienzi, Alessandro; Cagnon, Laurence; Bahner, Ingrid; et al.; Researchers from the Beckman Research Institute in Duarte, California, evaluated the functional role of the Tat and Rev HIV regulatory proteins. It has been shown that express of Rev induces nucleolar relocalization of protein factors. The researchers suggest that the nucleolus may have a vital role in HIV-1 RNA export
Diabetes Awaits out-of-Shape San Antonians; Asthma, Depression, Infectious Diseases Also Among Concerns: San Antonio Express-News (04/23/00) P. 4H; Tumiel, Cindy; San Antonio is affected more by diabetes than any other condition, according to public health officials in Bexar County. Dr. Fernando Guerra, director of the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, said obesity could lead to diabetes at a much younger age. The disease can progress quietly until reaching serious compl
Portsmouth Student Diagnosed With Tuberculosis: Virginian-Pilot Online (04/25/00); Bowers, Matthew; Nearly 100 Woodrow Wilson High School students and faculty members in Portsmouth, Va., are being urged to receive tuberculosis (TB) testing after a 17-year-old female student was diagnosed with active TB. Students with parental permission will receive free tests at the school s health clinic today. TB has been a leadin
Foundations Target African Education: Washington Post (04/25/00) P. A5; Duke, Lynne; Leaders of the Carnegie Corporation, Rockefeller, Ford, and MacArthur foundations, have announced they will work together with African educational leaders to provide a joint $100 million grant for improving universities in certain African nations. The push for higher education aims to help Africans deal with the HIV ep
U.S. Launches Plan for Equality in Health Care: Reuters (04/24/00); Fox, Maggie; The U.S. government and the American Public Health Association are joining to improve healthcare for minorities, including African Americans, Hispanics, and other ethnic groups. David Satcher, U.S. Surgeon General, said African-American women are more likely to die from breast cancer, although white women have higher r
Depression Top Health Concern of Gays: USA Today (04/25/00) P. 7D; Depression, not HIV, is the chief health concern for lesbians and gay men, according to a survey by Internet site GayHealth.com. The survey of 1,750 people found that depression ranked as the No. 1 concern for 35 percent of gay women and 32 percent of gay men. Gay men also feared developing prostate problems, contracti
Study Urges Rise in Spending to Fight Malaria: Wall Street Journal (04/25/00) P. A2; Lueck, Sarah; A new study set for release today recommends that wealthy international donors help increase spending on malaria prevention to $1 billion a year, mostly directed at Africa. Around $100 million to $200 million is currently spent on malaria programs, according to Jeffrey Sachs of Harvard s Center for International Develo
Prolonged Asymptomatic HIV-1 Infection: New England Journal of Medicine (04/20/00) Vol. 342, No. 16, P. 1221; Sulis, Efisio; Lusso, Paolo; Contu, Licinio; In a letter to the editor, Italian researchers discuss an Unusual case in which a 78-year-old man from northern Italy was found to be HIV-positive in 1985, but who has no symptoms or signs of infection. The man most likely contracted HIV from prostitutes, the researchers concluded. The patient s plasma HIV-1 RNA level
Immune Repopulation After HAART in Previously Untreated HIV-1 Infected Children (Research Letter): Lancet (04/15/00) Vol. 355, No. 9212, P. 1331; Gibb, D. M.; Newberry, A.; Klein, N.; et al.; A European study of 25 children who were infected with HIV-1 vertically and who taking highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) reveals that children have different patterns of immune restoration compared to adults. The advent of HAART has raised the issue of HIV therapy for children versus treatment for adults. Th
Youth Programs Take Pop-Culture Approach: AIDS Alert (www.ahcpub.com/online.html) (08/00) Vol. 15, No. 8, P. 88; Teenagers can be hard to reach with HIV prevention messages. Donna Futterman, director of the Adolescent AIDS Program at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, says teens need to be reached at their hangouts and through popular culture. HIV prevention programs for youths should also focus on testing. Futterman s proje
Uganda, Organizers Agree on Theme of Controversial AIDS Conference: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (08/29/00); The Ugandan government has formed an agreement with organizers of an AIDS conference to change the theme and objectives of the meeting, which was set to start on Monday. Professor Peter Kanyandago, the local leader of dissident group of scientists, said the conference had to be drastically altered because the governmen
Ministers Urged to Recommend HIV Transmission Reducing [Measures]: Africa News Service (www.africanews.org) (08/28/00); Tsannah, Tepitapia; The World Health Organization (WHO) urged African health ministers attending the 50th regional committee meeting in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso , to take steps to reduce the HIV transmission rate among newborns. WHO Director-General Gro Harlem Brundtland noted, We have no time to lose in order to save thousands of babie
Ghana Turns to Female Condom to Combat Spread of HIV Virus: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (08/29/00); The Ghanaian government reportedly has ordered 500,000 female condoms to fight the spread of HIV. A pilot project run by the United Nations Population Fund and the Ghana Social Marketing Foundation to introduce the female condom revealed that the prophylactic was very popular, particularly among young women. An estimat
U.N. Aims AIDS Program at West African Migrants: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (08/28/00); The United Nations will start a program next year that will focus on slowing the spread of HIV around migration routes in West Africa. Border crossing points in Ghana , Togo , Benin , and Nigeria will be targeted. UNAIDS Program Director
China Trying to Curb Thriving Market in Second-Hand Syringes: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (08/28/00); China has started a campaign to end the illegal market in re- used disposable syringes, according to a report in the China Daily. The health ministry requires all hospitals to destroy discarded syringes so they cannot be resold and risk spreading blood-borne diseases. The World Health Organization estimates that up
Drug Intake Interruption Can Boost Body's Responses to AIDS: Study: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (08/28/00); A new study from scientists at The Wistar Institute in Philadelphia shows that drug intake interruptions can increase the body s response to HIV in patients with chronic infection. One patient studied could control HIV without drugs for four months, the report said. The researchers suggest that some HIV-infected indivi
AIDS Activist Knows Site Will Survive Him: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (08/29/00) P. 3D; Kornblum, Janet; AIDS patient Richard Hollingsworth is offering the world a chance to see how he and his family deals with his disease. He broadcasts their lives on the Internet 24 hours a day to show how an ordinary family copes with a family member infected with HIV. Hollingsworth, who lives in Victoria, British Columbia, explained t
State Checking Schools for Sex Ed Materials: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (www.accessatlanta.com) (08/29/00) P. 8A; South Carolina s Education Department is questioning school districts throughout the state to find out how many use sex education materials opposed by Attorney General Charlie Condon. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provided the materials, but Condon claims the information repeatedly authorize[s] or even
Calypte Urine Test for HIV Approved in China: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (08/25/00); Beasley, Deena; China has approved Calypte Biomedical Corp. s urine test for HIV-1. The urine test measures IgA antibody levels and does not require a blood sample or medical training to take. The test reduces the risk of accidental needle sticks and also does not require refrigeration. According to Toby Gottfried, director of resea
AIDS Continues to Spread in PNG: Australian Broadcasting Corp. News (www.abc.net.au) (08/28/00); According to a report from Radio Australia News, HIV is spreading throughout Papua New Guinea , threatening all parts of society. Health Minister Ludger Mond said the country has recorded 2,800 confirmed HIV cases, 1,031 cases of AIDS, and 232 AIDS-related deaths.
South African Doctors' Role in HIV Tests Questioned: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (www.accessatlanta.com) (08/27/00) P. 5B; Over 50 South African doctors have been accused of testing patients for HIV without their knowledge or consent, and then giving the results to the individuals employers. According to a report in the Saturday Star newspaper, most of the patients were not counseled about HIV, and tests results were often given only to th
Tuberculosis Case Leads to Skin Tests at El Modena: Los Angeles Times (www.latimes.com) (08/26/00) P. B3; Richardson, Lisa; A student at El Modena High School in Los Angeles, California, has been diagnosed with active tuberculosis (TB). The Orange County Health Care Agency will perform precautionary skin tests at the school, contacting everyone close to the teenager. El Modena parents and students have been sent letters about the testing pr
Community Providers Offer Nonoccupational Postexposure HIV Prophylaxis: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/25/00); Dr. Gabriel Torres of Bentley-Salick Medical Practice in New York City is leading a pilot program to give nonoccupational postexposure prophylaxis to patients at high risk for HIV, including gay and bisexual men, minorities, women, and injection drug users. The program provides rapid HIV testing, screening for sexually
Agency Asks Longtime HIV Patients [in Florida] to Get Retested: Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel (www.sun-sentinel.com) (08/26/00) P. 8B; LaMendola, Bob; Center One, a nonprofit group in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is asking people who have been HIV-positive for many years to get retested as part of an effort to secure more federal grants. Center One believes that estimates of HIV infection in the region could leave out thousands of patients who tested positive years ago.
Syphilis: New World May Not Have Been First: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (08/28/00) P. A9; Gugliotta, Guy; Evidence from recently excavated medieval skulls in England suggest that syphilis existed in Europe before Columbus returned from the New World. Syphilis is said to have spread from Barcelona to all of Europe after 1493, and Europe has considered it an American disease from the start. However, archaeologists have uncov
President Urges Nigeria to Fight Tyranny of AIDS: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (08/28/00) P. A1; Lacey, Marc; President Clinton, in his visit to Nigeria this week, has urged the country to confront AIDS and overcome taboos. This is a challenge not just for Nigeria but for all of Africa, which has been slow to educate its people about AIDS and the virus that causes the disease. Clinton said, We have to break the silence about
Gates Foundation on Big Funding Spree: Science (www.sciencemag.org) (08/11/00) Vol. 289, No. 5481, P. 845; Hagmann, Michael; The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has made several large donations for health studies recently. These include $40 million for the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine to study malaria, $44.7 million for the Harvard Medical School for tuberculosis (TB), $20 million to Johns Hopkins School of Public Healt
Clinton to Sound Democracy Horn in Africa: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (08/24/00); Charles, Deborah; President Clinton s visit to Africa this weekend will focus on democracy in Nigeria and rebuilding trust in government. Clinton will meet with Nigerian President Obasanjo Saturday and discuss issues affecting Africa. During his trip, Clinton will discuss various health issues, including infectious diseases like AIDS.
Teens Taught Importance of Abstinence: New Orleans Times-Picayune (www.nola.com) (08/24/00) P. 1; Kenner, Angela Rozas; Weary of misinformation regarding sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), Lisa Butler--a high school teacher in Louisiana--has offered to be the Jefferson Parish coordinator for the Governor s Program on Abstinence. The program includes a 100-city tour through the state to promote abstinence and educate people about STDs
AIDS Forum: HIV Growing: Providence Journal-Bulletin (www.projo.com) (08/24/00) P. 1B; Mooney, Tom; Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) spoke recently at a forum discussion that focused on AIDS and how to educate the public about HIV. Over 100 health experts and activists attended the discussion at the John Hope Settlement House in Rhode Island. Reed explained that new HIV cases are growing fast, especially among minority commun
Seminal Shedding of HIV-1 Is Primarily Intermittent: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/24/00); Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh studied semen and blood samples of 18 asymptomatic HIV-1-infected men not receiving protease inhibitors . The researchers found three patterns of viral shedding in the men, with intermittent HIV-1 shedding the most common. The authors suggest that continuous shedders had e
Trusty Home Health Tests Cut Costs, Hassle: Investor's Business Daily (www.investors.com) (08/24/00) P. A1; Stettner, Morey; Home pregnancy tests went on the market over 20 years ago, and now the options for home testing range from HIV to diabetes. Home testing appeals to many patients who want to save money and choose a convenient method. But some doctors have expressed concern about the lack of face-to-face interaction with home HIV tests,
Bad Blood, the Hepatitis C Epidemic: Thousands in Florida Infected With Silent Killer of our Generation: Florida Times-Union (www.jacksonville.com) (08/24/00) P. A1; Mattson, Marcia; A hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic is underway in the United States . The Florida Department of Health has launched a campaign urging HCV testing for people with risk factors, especially those who received blood products before 1992. Also, starting in October, the state will run a hotline that people can call anonymous
US to Raise Public Awareness About Hepatitis C: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/24/00); The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Advisory Committee on Blood Safety and Availability has voted to increase public awareness of hepatitis C virus infection, as part of the Surgeon General s nationwide effort. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher had previously announced plans to send a Dear Citizen letter r
Hepatitis Shots Required [in New York]: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (08/25/00) P. B4; Zernike, Kate; In order to start school this year, seventh graders in New York must have started the three-shot vaccination series against hepatitis B. According to the State Health Department, the majority of hepatitis B cases develop in adolescence or early adulthood, increasing the risks of developing liver cancer and other condit
Communicating the Threat of Emerging Infections to the Public: Emerging Infectious Diseases Online (www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/index.htm) (08/00) Vol. 6, No. 4,; Freimuth, Vicki; Linnan, Huan W.; Potter, Polyxeni; Communication theory is a valuable tool for public health officials to use to reach the public regarding emerging infectious organisms, surveillance needs, and microbial resistance. Since the start of the AIDS epidemic, an emphasis on prevention has called on the role of communication to reach a large target audience.
AIDS Deaths Double in Nepal-India Border District: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (08/23/00); Almost 10 percent of Nepal s deaths from AIDS take place in the district of Morang, which borders India . According to a report in the Kathmandu Post, 141 people died from AIDS in Nepal last year, including 10 people in Morang. In addition, of the estimated 1,500 HIV cases in the country, about 115 people are in Morang
Over 200 HIV Infections Take Place Daily in Zambia: Africa News Service (www.africanews.org) (08/23/00); Saluseki, Bivan; Mubanga, Bwalya; Zambia s AIDS coordinator, Dr. Moses Sichone, announced Tuesday that over 200 HIV infections occur every day in the country. He estimated that nearly three-quarters of Zambian families care for at least one AIDS orphan. Dr. Sichone cited poverty as a factor leading to AIDS, as Zambia deals with external debts that hind
Yemen Counted 45 New AIDS Cases in First Half of Year: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (08/23/00); Forty-five new cases of AIDS were recorded in Yemen during the first half of the year. According to Abdullah Habbabi of the AIDS department at the Yemeni central lab, 24 of the new infections were among Yemenis and 21 were among foreigners. Since July 1998, 605 people have been diagnosed with AIDS in Yemen.
Museveni Urges African Nations to Fight AIDS With Radio: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (08/23/00); At an economic conference in Maputo, Mozambique , on Tuesday, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni recommended using radio broadcasts to help educate people about AIDS. This has been very successful in Uganda, where we had to eliminate misbeliefs among our population very quickly to prevent the pandemic from gaining more
Equivocal HIV Test Requires Close Follow-Up: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/23/00); A case of a false-positive HIV test result is presented in the Archives of Internal Medicine (2000;160:2386-2388) by Dr. Eleftherios Mylonakis of Massachusetts General Hospital and colleagues. According to the researchers, the false-positive test shows the need for repeated HIV testing and follow-up to prevent unnecess
Vermilion County Syphilis Cases on the Rise: Postnet Online (www.stlnet.com/postnet) (08/23/00); Vermilion County, Ill., has seen eight new cases of syphilis since June, the first month of a local outbreak. A total of 14 cases of syphilis have been recorded in the county over the past nine months. The Vermilion County Health Department is unsure what caused the outbreak, the worst seen in over 20 years. Health off
HIV Counseling for Marriage to End This Year [in Michigan]: Detroit Free Press (www.freep.com) (08/23/00); Hopgood, Mei-Ling; Starting next year, couples in Michigan will not need HIV counseling to receive a marriage license. This is the first time in many years that couples in the state will not have to be tested, counseled, or show proof that they have no sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) before marrying. Testing for venereal diseases st
US Clown Fails to Dispel Romanian AIDS Fears: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (08/24/00); Popescu, Karin; U.S. physician and clown Patch Adams, whose story was portrayed in a movie by actor Robin Williams, recently visited AIDS orphans and villagers in Romania in an effort to promote AIDS awareness. Approximately 9,000 children in Romania are infected with HIV--many of whom contracted the virus as the result of poor sanita
Double Blind Randomized Placebo Controlled Trial of Adjunctive Prednisolone in Treatment of Effusive Tuberculous Pericarditis in HIV Seropositive Patients: Heart Online (heart.bmjjournals.com) (08/00) Vol. 84, No. 2, P. 183; Hakim, J. G.; Ternouth, I.; Mushangi, E.; et al.; Researchers from Zimbabwe conducted a study to determine how adjunctive prednisolone affects the morbidity, pericardial fluid resolution, and mortality of HIV-seropositive patients with effusive tuberculous pericarditis. The study involved 58 patients between the ages of 18 and 55. Following a short course of antitube
World Bank to Give Loans to Kyrgyzstan, Moldova: Itar Wire Service (08/23/00); Sitov, Andrei; The World Bank has announced plans to give $32 million in loans to Kyrgyzstan and Moldova . The bank will loan Moldova $10 million for various health efforts, including HIV and tuberculosis control programs. Kyrgyzstan will receive $22 million to help establish a transport system in three
Asian Ministers Meet on Healthcare for Poor: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (08/23/00); Health ministers from Bhutan , India , Indonesia , the Maldives , Myanmar , Nepal ,
Internet Users Say 'No Thanks' to Personal Questions: TechWeb (www.techweb.com) (08/17/00); Morneau, Jill; Of the 1,173 people surveyed by Yankelovich Partners, 90 percent feel that the online privacy of personal data is the most important Internet shopping issue, says Yankelovich s David Bersoff. Only 60 percent reported satisfaction with Internet privacy. This concern stems from a hacker chill, where people think there is
Across the USA: Louisiana: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (08/23/00) P. 8A; The Orleans Parish School Board in Louisiana must pay two HIV- infected teachers a total of $80,000 after federal officials concluded that the board violated the Americans with Disabilities Act. Although other details of the settlement are not known, one teacher will receive $50,000 and the other will get $30,000 becau
Four-Drug HAART Regimen Yields Better Viral Response Than 3- Drug Regimen: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/22/00); The Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group 377, led by Dr. Andrew Wiznia of the Jacobi Medical Center in New York, examined 181 antiretroviral-experienced children. According to a report in the August 10 issue of AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses (2000;16:1113-1121), the children were given one of four regimens contai
Children With Tuberculosis Should Be Screened for HIV Infection: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/21/00); Dr. Pauline Thomas, coordinator of Pediatric HIV/AIDS Surveillance in New York City, believes that all HIV-infected children with pulmonary illness should be tested for tuberculosis (TB) and all pediatric TB patients should be tested for HIV. A retrospective comparison of TB rates in HIV-infected and uninfected childre
USA Unhealthy for Women: Unsatisfactory Is Norm Across Nation: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (08/22/00) P. 8D; Rubin, Rita; A new report, Making the Grade on Women s Health, gives no state a satisfactory grade for overall women s health. The study--from the National Women s Law Center, the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and the Lewin Group--graded states based on a number of benchmarks for women, many taken from the Departme
Cross-Border Vice Trips Fuel Infection Rate: South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com) (08/23/00) P. 3; Moy, Patsy; The number of patients treated for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in public clinics in Hong Kong has tripled over the last 10 years, in large part because of cross-border sex. According to statistics from the Department of Health, 29,598 new cases of STDs were recorded last year, up from 10,457 in 1990.
Primary Prevention of HIV-1: Lancet (www.thelancet.com) (08/12/00) Vol. 356, No. 9229, P. 600; Weisburger, J. H.; In a letter to the editor, J.H. Weisburger of the American Health Foundation in Valhalla, N.Y., asserts that primary prevention is the best way to fight HIV worldwide. Teaching people about and getting them to use condoms can work, as it has with other sexually transmitted diseases. The author notes that in some countr
Diseased Passage: Scientific American (www.sciam.com) (07/00) Vol. 283, No. 1, P. 23; Niller, Eric; Mexican immigrants often risk their lives trying to enter the United States . Those who escape into freedom by crossing the New River in California s Imperial Valley also risk contracting communicable diseases like hepatitis A and cholera. The river is one of the most polluted in the area, with fecal coliform counts fa
HIV-[Positive] Men Shun Safety: Ottawa Sun (www.canoe.ca/ottawasun) (08/22/00) P. 6; A new study published in the Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality claims that the belief that an AIDS cure is within reach is linked to increased risky sexual behavior among some individuals. The researchers said that an increasing number of HIV-infected men are engaging in unsafe sex because they believe a cure will be
Sex Industry Might Profit From Games: Salt Lake Tribune (www.sltrib.com) (08/21/00) P. A1; Vigh, Michael; Cantera, Kevin; The 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, could bring migratory prostitutes, also known as circuit girls, to the city s streets. Strip club owners are looking forward to cashing in on the rise in business expected in two years. Salt Lake City Police Sgt. Bryan Bailey said that circuit girls are indeed a concern, and t
Lamivudine Plus Zidovudine Superior to Stavudine Alone in Zidovudine-Experienced Patients: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/21/00); A study led by Dr. David Katzenstein of Stanford University Medical Center in California included 92 HIV-infected individuals who showed signs of treatment failure after undergoing zidovudine monotherapy for a median of 4.1 years. According to the report in the July issue of AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses (2000;1
Complications From Cesarean Delivery Unrelated to HIV Infection: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/21/00); The Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trial Group 185 Study Team, led by Dr. D. Heather Watts of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, studied the delivery outcomes of 497 HIV-infected pregnant women. A total of 132 cesarean deliveries were performed--must of them unplanned--and all of the women received
Abbott's AIDS Drug Kaletra Shows Promise: Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com) (08/22/00) P. B6; Abbott Laboratories experimental AIDS drug, Kaletra , may have advantages over current AIDS treatments. An early report shows that 90 percent of patients taking Kaletra responded to the drug after 24 weeks, compared to 77 percent who continued to respond to Pfizer s
Battling AIDS in Africa by Empowering Women: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (08/22/00) P. D3; Dreifus, Claudia; An interview with Dr. Nancy Padian, an epidemiologist who is director of research for the AIDS Research Institute of the University of California at San Francisco, sheds light on her work in Zimbabwe . Dr. Padian commutes between San Francisco and Harare to teach Zimbabwean health workers about how to control the AIDS
Loans to Buy AIDS Drugs Are Rejected by Africans: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (08/22/00) P. A6; Swarns, Rachel L.; South Africa and Namibia have refused the United States offer of $1 billion in yearly loans to finance the purchase of AIDS drugs. The African countries stated that affordable drugs are needed and that the loans would only burden their economies and send them further into debt. The U.S. Export-Import Bank made the l
Interleukin-18 Modulates Immune Responses Induced by HIV-1 Nef DNA Prime/Protein Boost Vaccine: Vaccine Online (www.elsevier.com:80/inca/publications/store/3/0/5/2/1) (08/15/00) Vol. 19, No. 1, P. 95; Billaut-Mulot, Odile; Idziorek, Thierry; Ban, Elisabeth; et al.; French researchers examined combined DNA prime/protein boost vaccines for HIV-1 infection. The co-delivery of genes has shown to generate specific immune responses. In the study, the researchers used intradermal needle injections of a plasmid coding for the HIV-1 Nef accessory protein. According to the authors, the res
Conference Gives View of HIV's Changing Face: Baltimore Sun (www.sunspot.net) (08/19/00) P. 1B; Bor, Jonathan; A two-day conference for the National Association of People With AIDS (NAPWA) took place this weekend at the Marriott Inner Harbor in Baltimore. Workshops at the conference focused on financial planning, leadership skills, mental health, and treatment options. Since its establishment in 1983, the association has helped
FDA May Blacklist Importers of Defective Condoms: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/18/00); The U.S. Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) may institute a blacklist of condom importers who repeatedly send defective condoms. Those exporters who continually fail FDA tests would have their shipments delayed and would have to show proof that their condoms are not faulty. Under the proposed system, if a condom ship
Treatment of STDs Could Reduce HIV Transmission by 27 Percent: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/18/00); The Ad Hoc STD/HIV Transmission Group, led by Dr. Richard Rothenberg of Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, evaluated data on HIV-positive patients at eight STD clinics across the United States . Dr. Rothenberg found that identifying and treating people who have both HIV and another sexually transmitted dis
Tuberculosis Refuses to Die: Central Florida Fights to Keep Disease at Bay: Orlando Sentinel (www.orlandosentinel.com) (08/19/00) P. A1; Suriano, Robyn; Tuberculosis (TB) continues to affect residents of Florida, which last year recorded 1,281 new infections. The state spends $14 million a year to fight TB, and treatment requires patients to take medication for six to nine months. To ensure that patients take the full treatment regimen, health officials in Central Flor
Do-Gooders Tackle Disease: Philanthropists Are Spending Billions to Promote Health: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (www.accessatlanta.com) (08/20/00) P. 8D; McKenna, M.A.J.; Foundations led by Gates and Ted Turner have contributed millions of dollars to scientific research and programs intended to improve health around the world. Turner s United Nations Foundation is working to fight HIV and polio, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is backing research for a host of infections, incl
A Kenyan 'Guiding Light,' With Moral Lessons: Christian Science Monitor (www.csmonitor.com) (08/21/00) P. 1; Population Communications International, a New York-based nongovernmental organization, is seeking to better Kenya s public health through changes in private behavior by sponsoring a prime-time radio soap opera. The show seeks to break Kenya s cultural aversion to discussing touchy subjects by having characters openly
Clinton Approves $400-Million Bill to Fight AIDS, Other Diseases Around Globe: Los Angeles Times (www.latimes.com) (08/20/00) P. A14; Alonso-Zaldivar, Ricardo; President Clinton signed into law on Saturday The Global AIDS and Tuberculosis Relief Act of 2000, which allocates over $400 million to fight AIDS and other infectious diseases throughout the world. In his weekly radio address, Clinton said, In our tightly connected world, infectious disease anywhere is a threat to pub
Glaxo Plays Down Fears Over Ziagen: Financial Times (www.ft.com) (08/21/00) P. 18; Kibazo, Joel; Amid its planning for the 2000 European launch of Trizivir , a new AIDS drug that contains Ziagen , Glaxo Wellcome acknowledged on Sunday that Ziagen has caused adverse reactions--including fever and vomiting--in roughly 4 percent of patients.
NIAID Funds New Groups to Develop HIV Vaccines: Nature Medicine (medicine.nature.com) (08/00) Vol. 6, No. 8, P. 844; Watanabe, Myrna E.; The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has announced $70 million in contracts over the next five years for work on an HIV vaccine. The contracts are part of the HIV Vaccine Design and Development Teams (HVDDT), a program launched last year. Stuart Shapiro, HVDDT project director, said the con
South Africa to Probe Reports of HIV-Linked Dismissals: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (08/17/00); Sithole, Emelia; South Africa will investigate claims by Mozambique that South African mining companies are ending contracts with HIV- infected Mozambican workers. South African Labor Minister Membathisis Mdladlana said they will gather more information, even though the South African Chamber of Mines denies wrongdoing.
Abortions Spark Sex Education Appeal [in Vietnam]: South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com) (08/18/00) P. 12; Watkin, Huw; Vietnam s high abortion rate has led to calls for increased sex education. In Ho Chi Minh City, a total of 67,000 abortions were recorded through June, according to the state media. A study of 1,500 university students revealed that most approved of pre-marital sex and the majority did not believe that unprotected sex
AIDS Organization [in Israel] Receives Aid: Jerusalem Post (08/17/00) P. 5; The Israeli Health Ministry has agreed to allocate an additional 200,000 New Israeli Shekels (NIS) to Israel AIDS Task Force, an HIV prevention and support group. The task force had closed on August 1 due to insufficient resources; however, the extra funds will enable the group to offer emergency services for patients
Virus Is Key to a Vaccine for Many Ills: Omaha World-Herald (www.omaha.com/OWH) (08/17/00) P. 19; Olson, Jeremy; Dr. Steven Tracy and Dr. Nora Chapman of the University of Nebraska Medical Center are studying the use of the coxsackie virus to create a vaccine that could protect people from a range of diseases, including HIV and diabetes. Tracy noted, Viruses are naturally excellent vaccines by themselves. Once we have removed the
African-American Adolescents Don't Get STD Screen: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/17/00); Mozes, Alan; A survey of over 300 young African Americans living in a low- income area of San Francisco shows that only 25 percent of the sexually active males and 60 percent of the sexually active females had been screened for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) within the past year. Researcher Jacque McCright and colleagues at J
Condoms Underused During Heterosexual Anal Intercourse: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/17/00); Drs. Janice Baldwin and John Baldwin of the University of California at Santa Barbara surveyed 647 students under age 30 who have had sex. The researchers found that 22.9 percent had engaged in anal intercourse, and 76.1 percent had never used condoms when doing so. According to their report in the August issue of Arch
South Africa Tourism Fights Perceptions: Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com) (08/18/00) P. A11; South Africa s tourism industry is fighting perceptions about its safety, as crime and HIV take their toll on the country s economy. The largest wave of visitors to South Africa this year was for the recent International AIDS Conference in Durban. Last year, there were 6 million foreign visitors to the country.
Researchers Prepare Vaccine Trials in Heart of Africa's AIDS Crisis: Detroit Free Press Online (www.freep.com) (08/18/00); Collins, Huntly; In Hlabisa, South Africa , researchers are preparing to begin testing an HIV vaccine based on strains of the virus found in sub-Saharan Africa. The potential vaccine has shown effective on macaques, and was created using genetic engineering. In Hlabisa, most people live in huts and have no electricity or running water.
Science Scope: Science (www.sciencemag.org) (08/04/00) Vol. 289, No. 5480, P. 709; The Italian government has decided to cancel a planned 36 percent cut in extramural funding for HIV research. This leaves the budget at about $10 million, most of which comes from the Istituto Superiore di Sanita (ISS) in Rome. Science magazine had previously reported that the program was to be reduced, but Italy s hea
AIDS Care in the Americas: Journal of the American Medical Association (www.jama.com) (08/09/00) Vol. 284, No. 6, P. 686; The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has announced a new strategy for HIV/AIDS care in the Americas. The new system will stress a core foundation of care at various levels, including home care, community care, and primary care. Fernando Zacarias, coordinator of PAHO s Program on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Dis
Rethinking the AIDS Arsenal: Business Week (www.businessweek.com) (07/17/00) No. 3690, P. 88; Carey, John; AIDS drug cocktails have helped reduce the number of U.S. AIDS deaths by 80 percent since 1995. However, they have come at the price of side effects. These new drugs have serious adverse effects, and doctors must reconsider when the combination of drugs should be used and when to start the therapy. Dr. Michael Lederman
Isolation Camps Proposed for Swazi HIV Victims: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (08/16/00); Tfohlongwane Dlamini, chairman of the Swaziland National Council Standing Committee, has proposed setting up camps to isolate HIV and AIDS patients from the public. The suggestion--an apparent attempt to stem the spread of HIV--was condemned by Swaziland s healthcare workers, who asserted he needed more information abo
A Health Alarm to Wake the World; Betrayal of Trust Warns of Crumbling Disease Defenses: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (08/16/00) P. 7D; Manning, Anita; Laurie Garrett s second book, Betrayal of Trust: The Collapse of Global Public Health, traces the history of health and warns that the decline of public health infrastructures threatens all economic classes. Garrett s research discovered that public health is in poor shape not only in developing countries, but in rich
Advertising: China's Censor Is Customer No. 1: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (08/17/00) P. C1; Lee, Jennifer; Chinese television commercials are strictly regulated by the governments. Advertisements are not allowed to depict patients or symptoms, for example, and sexual modesty is emphasized. This can be problematic for advertising agencies, particularly if they are promoting a drug or certain public health issues. Even the Ch
Why the Number of Teen Mothers Is Falling: Christian Science Monitor (www.csmonitor.com) (08/15/00) P. 1; Davis-Packard, Kent; The U.S. teen birth rate has fallen to a 60-year low, as teens credit descriptive sex education classes and abstinence campaigns with helping them to postpone sex. As more students become educated about birth control and the benefits of waiting to have sex, the teen birth rate has dropped 20 percent since 1991. Both ap
Stamping Out Syphilis, Experts Hope to Wipe Out Scourge in U.S.: Dallas Morning News (www.dallasnews.com) (08/14/00) P. 1F; Beil, Laura; A national campaign to eradicate syphilis is underway, as the number of cases in the United States has reached a 40-year low. Now is the time to fight the disease, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has asked for $37 million annually to help eliminate the disease by 2005. Syphilis costs the United Stat
11-Year-Olds Treated for Sex Diseases: BBC News Online (www.news.bbc.co.uk) (08/16/00); Official figures in Britain shows that children as young as age 11 are being treated for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The number of youths treated for gonorrhea in Nottingham is two times the national average, as more young people are having sex. Dr. Richard Slack, a consultant in communicable diseases for the
Scientists May Be Able to Turn TB's Survival Trick Against It: Arizona Daily Star (www.azstarnet.com) (08/17/00); Barnard, Jeff; A new report in today s issue of Nature (2000;406:735) reveals a trick that tuberculosis (TB) bacteria use to remain latent in the body before attacking it. TB germs can live for years in the body without causing disease. The scientists--from Rockefeller University, Washington University School of Medicine, Albert Eins
Fetal Immunization by a DNA Vaccine Delivered into the Oral Cavity: Nature Medicine (medicine.nature.com) (08/00) Vol. 6, No. 8, P. 929; Gerdts, Volker; Babiuk, Lorne A.; Griebel, Philip J.; et al.; Scientists from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada , evaluated the effects of a DNA vaccine on eight fetal lambs of normal size in order to test neonatal immunization for infectious diseases. Vaccination of the fetus could eliminate the risk of neonatal infection. The pathogens involved include herpes simplex virus
Turning Point: Village Voice (www.villagevoice.com) (07/25/00) Vol. 45, No. 29, P. 59; Schoofs, Mark; Participants at the 13th International AIDS Conference, held recently in Durban, South Africa , discussed the fact that over 90 percent of people with HIV cannot afford drugs that will save their lives. At the conference, Nelson Mandela called for an end to the debate over the HIV-AIDS link and for political will to en
Revitalize AIDS Prevention: San Francisco Examiner (www.examiner.com) (08/14/00) P. A22; An editorial in the San Francisco Examiner notes that City Health Director Mitchell Katz s call for a revision in HIV prevention efforts makes sense, narrowing the focus to HIV- positive men who transmit the virus to HIV-negative men via unprotected anal intercourse. No one wanted to be seen as being politically incorr
Wisconsin's Abortion Rate Sinks to Record Low: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (www.jsonline.com) (08/15/00) P. 1A; Wall, Lucas; Wisconsin s abortion rate fell to its lowest level since 1973 last year, with 11,013 abortions reported for 1999. The decline is attributed to several factors, including increased awareness through a television ad campaign by Wisconsin Right to Life. Mary Soper, vice president of public affairs for Planned Parenthood,
Birth-Control Product Offers a New Option: Detroit News (www.detnews.com) (08/15/00) P. 8; Waldsmith, Lynn; A new contraceptive called vaginal contraceptive film has proven 94 percent effective against pregnancy. The product is sold in small squares of thin film that contain nonoxynol-9. To use the contraceptive, the film is folded over a finger and pushed into the vagina, near the cervix, where it dissolves into a gel which
Fees for Sex-Disease, TB Testing Held: Newsday Online (www.newsday.com) (08/16/00); Eisenberg, Carol; A new policy in Nassau, New York, that assesses fees on poor or uninsured individuals who seek testing and treatment for venereal diseases and tuberculosis (TB) has been suspended. The policy has been but on hold following a recent article in Newsday that questioned whether the sliding-scale fees were in violation of s
STD Prevention Reduces Spread of HIV in Rural Tanzania: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/15/00); New research from Dr. Kate Karter Orroth and colleagues, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, shows that sexually transmitted disease (STD) treatment is a critical part of HIV prevention programs in rural Tanzania . The researchers estimate that over one-third of all HIV cases in men in the country s
UNAIDS Addresses HIV Interventions in Migrant Populations: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/15/00); UNAIDS has released a new document which seeks to identify the special needs of migrants with regards to HIV interventions. Drs. Ronny Shtarkshall and Varda Soskolne from The Hebrew University and Hadassah Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine in Israel wrote the paper, Migrant Populat
Envoy Named for Efforts Against AIDS: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (08/16/00) P. A7; President Clinton has appointed Sandra Thurman as the presidential envoy for AIDS cooperation, the first U.S. presidential envoy to deal solely with a worldwide health issue. Thurman will continue to serve as director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy. Clinton stated that Thurman will use America s grow
Talc Granulomatosis: A Differential Diagnosis of Interstitial Lung Disease in HIV Patients: Chest Online (www.chestjournal.org) (07/00) Vol. 118, No. 1, P. 258; Nan, Daniel N.; Fernandez-Ayala, Marta; Iglesias, Luis; et al.; Researchers from the Infectious Diseases Unit of the University of Cantabria in Spain report that people who take adulterated drugs may develop talc-induced interstitial lung disease. The authors noted that the condition may be hard to identify in HIV-infected individuals, since it initially may look like an opportunis
Browsing for Greater Good: Interactive Week (www.interactive-week.com) (07/17/00) Vol. 7, No. 28, P. 42; Miller, Alex; NeoPlanet now offers the HIVlife Browser, which joins search, email, and other features to provide links to content about HIV and AIDS. NeoPlanet promises to donate $1 to Project Inform, an AIDS awareness group, for each installation of the browser. Sean Conway, communications manager at NeoPlanet, said the funding wil
AIDS Nears Epidemic Dimension in Russian Region: Itar Wire Service (www.itar-tass.com) (08/13/00); Tatarenkov, Valery; Cases of AIDS have been recorded in nearly half of the 46 districts in Russia s Perm region. Approximately 1,000 cases of HIV have been reported in the area, with the cities of Krasnokamensk and Perm listing the most infections. A total of 13 people in the region have died from the disease.
Botswana Plans HIV Disclosure Law: BBC News Online (www.news.bbc.co.uk) (08/11/00); Botswana is reportedly introducing a law that would require HIV-infected individuals to reveal their status to their sexual partners. According to Health Minister Joy Phumaphi, the new law will be part of the government s efforts to alter sexual behavior in the nation. Phumaphi also stated that a weekly counseling pr
Our Health: Pap Smear Can Spot Cancer in Curable Stage: Los Angeles Times (www.latimes.com) (08/14/00) P. S5; Fielding, Jonathan; Ulene, Valerie; The number of American women who die from cervical cancer has fallen 75 percent since 1950, largely due to the use of the Pap smear, which identifies changes in cervical cells that could be precancerous. Cervical cancer is slow to develop, and if caught early, it can be treated. The American Cancer Society recommends a
Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters Safe for Patients With AIDS: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/14/00); Research conducted by Dr. Daniel Skiest of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, and colleagues shows that peripherally inserted central catheters pose relatively little threat to HIV-infected patients. The investigators studied 66 HIV-infected individuals who received 97 central catheters for
HIV Risk Assessments May Motivate Participants to Reduce Risk Behavior: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/14/00); Dr. Lance Weinhardt of the Medical College of Wisconsin, and colleagues have found that a face-to-face sexual behavior interview can increase risk perception in a patient. The researchers--who published their findings in the August issue of the Journal of Behavioral Medicine (2000;23:393-398)-- conducted a detailed str
More Thai Men Dying Prematurely: Bangkok Post Online (www.bangkokpost.com) (08/15/00); Bhatiasevi, Aphaluck; A new study from Thailand s Health Systems Research Institute shows that more Thai men are dying prematurely every year. Using 1998 national statistics, researchers found that the life expectancy of Thai men is four to five years less than that for Thai women. The primary causes of death include liver and lung cancer,
Clinton Reviews Foreign Policy Actions, Hopes: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (08/15/00) P. A17; At the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles on Monday, President Clinton called for his successor to pick up on his commitment to Africa and debt relief, the Balkans, India , and the fight against AIDS. I hope we ll have a bipartisan consensus about how to imagine the new most likely security threats of the 21
HIV Drugs Clear Blood, But Sex Still Isn't Safe: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (08/15/00) P. 8D; Sternberg, Steve; Researchers reported Monday that although potent antiviral treatments can virtually clear HIV from the blood, the drugs cannot eliminate the virus from semen. The lead author of the study, Lee Harrison of the University of Pittsburgh, noted, Although these drugs are wonderful and revolutionize the treatment of HIV, you
Predicting Culture Results for Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Complex: Chest Online (www.chestjournal.org) (07/00) Vol. 118, No. 1, P. 28; Gallina, Massimo; Troupioti, Panaiota; Rocco, Gaetano; et al.; Researchers evaluated 310 patients who had suspected pulmonary mycobacterial infection or who were receiving antituberculous chemotherapy at a tertiary care center in Northern Italy . The study, an attempt to evaluate the efficacy of the Gen-Probe Amplified Mycobacterium tuberculosis direct test (AMTDT) in predicting t
AIDS Tops Normally Economic Agenda at Southern Africa Meeting: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (08/12/00); AIDS will be the leading issue at a southern African conference that typically focuses on economics. The South Africa International Dialogue (SAID), set to meet later this month, joins leaders to discuss issues like trade and economic growth; however, this year AIDS will be the primary issue for discussion. The fourth
UNICEF to Spend $4 Million to Fight AIDS in Mozambique: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (08/12/00); UNICEF official Ian MacLeod announced Friday that $4 million will be spent on anti-AIDS programs in Mozambique this year. MacLeod noted that UNICEF has already provided the National AIDS Council with $30,000 so it can start [its] operations as soon as possible. MacLeod called on the government, nongovernmental organiza
AIDS, HIV Victims in 14 Africa Countries to Set Up Common Network: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (08/13/00); HIV-infected people in 14 central and west African Countries have agreed to set up a network to help each other fight HIV. The network was agreed upon at a two-day conference in Cameroon , the first meeting of the African Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS. Officials from national AIDS groups explained that the
Experimental Cancer Drug May Battle HIV: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/11/00); Norton, Amy; The experimental cancer drug flavopiridol has been shown to block HIV cells from replicating in cell culture experiments. In addition, the report in the July 21 online issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry indicated that the drug worked at much lower concentrations than those being used in cancer trials. The dru
Bristol-Myers Issues Letter About Change in Videx Dosing: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/11/00); Bristol-Myers Squibb has sent letters to physicians concerning a new study which shows that Videx , an anti-AIDS drug, should be given twice daily, not once daily. The study of 756 treatment-naive HIV-infected adults compared Videx given once daily with stavud
Houston Targets African Americans in HIV Testing: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/11/00); Zwillich, Todd; Agencies and businesses in Houston joined with Glaxo Wellcome to hold Get Tested Day at six city health centers on Friday. The program, intended to encourage African Americans to get tested for HIV, rewarded individuals who came in for free confidential testing with free tickets to a gospel concert. City officials hope
AIDS Cuts Swath Through Africa's Teachers: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (08/14/00) P. A1; Onishi, Norimitsu; In Africa s Ivory Coast , where nearly 11 percent of the population is thought to have HIV, AIDS is taking the lives of many teachers. AIDS constitutes one of the biggest crises and the biggest threats to the global education agenda that we have known, UNAIDS head Dr. Peter Piot asserted earlier this year
AIDS Study Prompts New Look at Prevention: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (08/14/00) P. A3; Okie, Susan; Some experts are worried that the use of the spermicide nonoxynol-9 may no longer be advisable for women at risk for HIV, following the release of a UNAIDS study which found that women who used the gel became infected more often than women who used a placebo. Nonoxynol-9 is commonly found in condoms but is also used in
Physician Prescribing of Sterile Injection Equipment to Prevent HIV Infection: Time for Action: Annals of Internal Medicine (www.annals.org) (08/01/00) Vol. 133, No. 3, P. 218; Burris, Scott; Lurie, Peter; Abrahamson, Daniel; et al.; Injection drug users are at high risk for HIV and other blood- borne infections, and restricted access to sterile injection equipment is a barrier for many who need clean needles to stay healthy. Physicians can aid in syringe access, helping patients not willing or not able to enter drug treatment to at least avoid dea
Notice to Readers: CDC Statement on Study Results of Product Containing Nonoxynol-9: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (www2.cdc.gov/mmwr) (08/11/00) Vol. 49, No. 31, P. 717; The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a Dear Colleague letter regarding a UNAIDS study of a product, COL-1492, which contains nonoxynol-9 (N-9). The study, released at the 13th International AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa , investigated the use of COL-1492 as a possible microbicide, or t
No Risk to Patients: Calgary Sun (www.canoe.ca/calgarysun) (08/11/00) P. 18; All patients at Lethbridge Regional Hospital in Alberta, Canada , who were operated on with unsterilized instruments have tested negative for blood-borne diseases. Dr. Kirk Ready, director of lab medicine for the Chinook Health Authority, noted that therefore, there is essentially no risk of such infections [as HIV and
[Canadian] Red Cross to Make More Tainted Blood Payments: People Infected With Hepatitis C Before 1986 to Share C$63 Million: Calgary Herald (www.calgaryherald.com) (08/10/00) P. B2; Novak, Phil; Residents of Alberta, Canada , who contracted hepatitis C from tainted Canadian Red Cross blood either before 1986 or after 1990 have been offered C$63 million from the Red Cross to settle class-action suits. An earlier C$1.1 billion federal- provincial settlement package for individuals infected with hepatitis C via b
Women Treated With Antiretroviral Drugs May Have Drug- Resistant HIV-1 in Cervicovaginal Secretions: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/10/00); A report published in the July issue of the Journal of Infectious Diseases (2000;182:112-122) shows that antiretroviral drugs that diffuse into the female genital tract at below optimal concentrations can lead to drug- resistant HIV-1 strains. Dr. Laurent Belec of the Hopital European Georges Pompidou in Paris and coll
Madison County Puts Focus on 4 Key Health Problems: St. Louis Post-Dispatch (www.stlnet.com) (08/10/00) P. 1; Ratcliffe, Heather; In Illinois, the Madison County Health Department has listed four major health problems it aims to reduce. They are cardiovascular diseases, cancer, respiratory disease, and injury. The results of a year-long survey of county residents found that the mortality rate for people dying from heart disease in Madison is 28 p
HIV Testing in Neonatal Period Advised: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/10/00); Data from the New York State Department of Health suggests that the combination of prenatal and newborn testing detects the majority of HIV-infected mothers and babies. The research, reported in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (2000;183:245-251), found that of 127,702 women who agreed to HIV testing f
Biotech Firm Seeks Funding for AIDS Tests: San Francisco Chronicle (www.sfgate.com) (08/10/00) P. C1; Abate, Tom; Calypte Biomedical Corp. of Alameda, Calif., is hoping to obtain international funding to send a simple HIV test to Africa. The test uses urine samples instead of blood to detect the presence of HIV. Calypte says that it has a verbal agreement from an international agency to fund the six mobile testing clinics it has s
Jump in HIV Infections [in San Francisco] Brings Call for New Prevention Programs: San Francisco Chronicle (www.sfgate.com) (08/10/00) P. A21; Heredia, Christopher; San Francisco leaders have called for a shift in AIDS programs, as 1980s prevention techniques have not stopped the spread of HIV. At a supervisors Finance Committee hearing on Wednesday, experts estimated that nearly one-third of the San Francisco s gay men are infected with HIV. In addition, Thomas Coates, head of th
[Toronto] Drug Users Face HIV Crisis: Group: Toronto Sun (www.canoe.ca/torontosun) (08/11/00) P. 37; McCabe-Lokos, Nick; Cheryl White of the Illicit Drug Users Union of Toronto (IDUUT) is calling on Ontario officials to declare a state of emergency following the release of a new study that found high rates of HIV infection among homeless crack users. The survey of 253 homeless crack users in downtown Toronto showed that 13 percent had HI
Angola Needs $12 Million to Fight AIDS: PANA Wire Service (www.africanews.org/PANA) (08/09/00); Angola s deputy health minister, Natalia do Espirito, stated at a recent AIDS symposium that the country requires $12 million to help fund its national AIDS control program. She said better educational campaigns are needed to make people more aware of the disease and to change their sexual behaviors. The symposium, who
Liberia Earmarks $6.5 Million for HIV/AIDS Program: PANA Wire Service (www.africanews.org/PANA) (08/09/00); Kahler, Peter; Liberia needs $6.5 million to prevent the spread of AIDS for the next three years, and a strategic plan drawn up by participants at a recent health workshop said the money should be used for advocacy, education, behavioral change, treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, and blood safety. Participants at the works
Tanzania Declares AIDS National Catastrophe: Africa News Service (www.africanews.org) (08/09/00); Tanzania s government has declared AIDS a national disaster. Given the disease s impact on both the economy and the community, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health Mariam Mwaffisi announced, [Nongovernmental organizations], religious groups, and other institutions should join in the war against the epidemic in
Hepatitis C Transmitted During Bloody Fight: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/09/00); Researcher Marc Bourliere of the Hopital Saint Joseph in Marseille, France , and colleagues have reported the first documented transmission of hepatitis C virus during a fight. The case, which is reported in the August issue of Gastroenterology (2000;119:507-511), describes a 50-year-old man who presented with symptoms
CDC, Virco to Survey Transmission of Drug-Resistant HIV in the United States: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/09/00); The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has given Virco, a biotechnology firm, a contract to quantify the frequency of drug-resistant HIV in newly infected people who have not yet received drug therapy. Genotyping and phenotyping tests will be conducted on plasma samples collected throughout the Un
Asian-Americans and AIDS: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (08/10/00) P. A22; According to an editorial in the New York Times, research has shown that many Asian-Americans--particularly new immigrants-- have little knowledge about AIDS. Many Asian-Americans are not diagnosed with AIDS until late in their infection. This is due, in part, to a lack of educational matter in Asian languages and also
Health Director Pushes Change in AIDS Fight; Wants Prevention Efforts to Focus More on Those Infected: San Francisco Examiner (www.examiner.com) (08/09/00) P. A10; Torassa, Ulysses; San Francisco s health director, Mitchell Katz, has called for a change in AIDS prevention efforts and a redirection of some of the money spent on health campaigns to go towards substance abuse treatment. The number of new HIV infections in the city increased from just under 500 in 1997 to 790 this year, and the increa
Older, Healthier and Wealthier: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (08/10/00) P. A3; Newman, Cathy; Today s older Americans are the healthiest and wealthiest they have ever been, according to a new government report, but minority groups are still missing out on the improvements. The Older Americans 2000: Key Indicators of Well-Being report notes that fewer elderly people are living in poverty than children. In additi
HIV Vaccine Trials Planned for Africa: Nature Medicine (medicine.nature.com) (08/00) Vol. 6, No. 8, P. 844; Birmingham, Karen; Oxford University immunologist Andrew McMichael announced at the recent International AIDS Conference that human testing of the gag DNA element of a DNA/modified vaccinia virus prime boost HIV vaccine will begin Phase I trials this month in Oxford, England. Testing of the vaccinia boost part will begin in September, wi
Innovative HIV Prevention Campaigns Focus on High-Risk Youth, Minorities: AIDS Alert (www.ahcpub.com/online.html) (08/00) Vol. 15, No. 8, P. 85; The Balm in Gilead of New York City is seeing positive results in its effort to encourage African-American churches to help fight AIDS and support HIV testing. Pernessa Seele, the founder of the organization, believes they have reached a turning point. Nationwide, new HIV prevention campaigns are targeting minorities,
Kenya: Secrecy, Stigmatization Still Surrounds AIDS Pandemic: Africa News Service (www.africanews.org) (08/08/00); Bamanyaki, Florence; At the first conference for people living with AIDS in Kenya , Kenyan Vice President George Saitoti called for an end to the silence and stigma surrounding AIDS. Saitoti noted that the government plans to launch AIDS control programs in all of its sectors, and he called on the private sector to also step up to the chal
Patients Who Fail HAART Because of Toxicity Often Fail Second- Line HAART as Well: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/08/00); Dr. Antonella d Arminio Monforte and colleagues of the University of Milan studied 263 HIV-infected patients who discontinued first-line highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) due to intolerance, toxicity, or failure. The patients were given a second-line regimen with a new protease inhibitor; however, one-third
Gay Sex Leading HIV Cause in City: Needle Use Main Factor in Edmonton: Calgary Herald (www.canoe.ca/calgarysun/home.html) (08/08/00) P. B1; Salkow, Howard; Petrunic, Josipa; Gay men are the highest risk group for HIV infection in Calgary, but intravenous drug use is the main cause for new HIV cases in Edmonton, Canada . The new Alberta Health and Wellness report shows that 58 percent of new HIV cases in Edmonton were due to injection drug use last year, and less than 14 percent were relate
Thai Study Finds Tropical Disease Suppresses HIV: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (08/08/00); A one-year study in Thailand has found that the tropical disease scrub typhus appears to suppress HIV to undetectable levels. Researchers at the U.S.-Thai-funded Armed Forces Institute of Medical Sciences report that the viral load in AIDS patients declined significantly after they contracted scrub typhus. Dr. George
EPINet System Now Easier for Hospitals to Access: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/08/00); The Exposure Prevention Information Network (EPINet) has been redesigned, making it easier for hospitals to report blood and body fluid contacts to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The tracking system, which is run on Windows, will help hospitals find medical equipment and products that need to be red
Boston: Senate OKs Bill on Safe Needle Disposal: Boston Globe (www.boston.com/globe) (08/08/00) P. B4; The Massachusetts Senate has approved legislation that would create a committee within the Department of Public Health to oversee the disposal of needles and help protect health care workers from accidental needle sticks. The measure, which has already been passed by the House, now goes to Gov. Paul Cellucci. According
AIDS Cases Grow at 23 Percent a Year in Mexico: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (08/08/00); Health officials announced Tuesday that the number of AIDS cases in Mexico has increased by about 23 percent annually for the last seven years. Jorge Savedra, head of a Mexico City public clinic for AIDS, said that with 4,000 new reported cases a year, 42,672 Mexicans have been diagnosed with AIDS. He suggested, howeve
Teenage Birth Rate Falls to Lowest Point in 60 Years: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (08/09/00) P. A5; The teenage birth rate in the United States dropped to its lowest rate in 60 years in 1999, reaching 49.6 births per 1,000 girls between the ages of 15 and 19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). This is a 3 percent drop from 1998, a 20 percent dec
Assessment of Infectious Disease Surveillance--Uganda, 2000: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (www2.cdc.gov/mmwr) (08/04/00) Vol. 49, No. 30, P. 687; The African region of the World Health Organization has adopted an integrated disease surveillance (IDS) strategy to assess its surveillance systems. Six systems were assessed, including the Health Management Information System, the Weekly Epidemiological Report, tuberculosis/leprosy, HIV/AIDS, polio, and
How HIV Spreads Into the Wilderness: New Scientist (www.newscientist.com) (07/29/00) Vol. 167, No. 2249, P. 15; Scientists say they were surprised to find that 14 of 216 men screened in the Amazon region of Guyana have HIV infection. The men live at a gold mining camp, where workers can stay for more than a month at a time. The researchers note that prostitutes follow industrial camps, helping to further spread HIV, and that the
CMV Retinitis Rates Decline as HAART Use Increases: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/07/00); New research indicates that the improving immune function of AIDS patients treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) may have lowered the incidence of cytomegalovirus ( CMV ) retinitis. Researcher Dr. Lawrence Morse and colleagues at the University of California Davis Medical Center found that the rate
Population of HIV-Targeted CD8 Cells Fluctuates With Viral Load During Chronic Infection: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/07/00); Dr. Brigitte Autran of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique in Paris, has found that CD8 T cells can be remobilized during viral rebound if treatment with antiretrovirals is interrupted or fails. Dr. Autran and colleagues studied the relationship between viral load and HIV-specific CD8 cell populations in 1
India Reports 3.5 Million HIV Cases, Accuses UN of Inflating Figures: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (08/07/00); There are an estimated 3.5 million HIV infections in India , according to Health Minister C.P. Thakur. Other estimates, including one from the United Nations Development Fund, have put the number of HIV cases in India at around 5 million. Thakur took issue with the various United Nations reports on HIV infection in the
Krim to Get Honor for AIDS Work: Houston Chronicle (www.chron.com) (08/07/00) P. 1; Mesinger, Maxine; President Clinton will award on Wednesday the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Dr. Mathilde Krim for her work in the war against AIDS. Krim is the chairman of the board and also a co-founder, along with Elizabeth Taylor, of the American Foundation for AIDS Research.
HIV Survivor Has a Mission--Tireless Work Educating At-Risk Group: Seniors: New York Daily News (www.nydailynews.com) (08/07/00) P. 3; Richardson, Clem; Myron Gold helps educate older people about the risks of HIV and AIDS. Gold, 59, is involved with several organizations-- including The Minority Task Force on AIDS, the New York People With AIDS Advisory Council, the New York Health and Human Services Advisory Council, New York City s HIV Planning Council--and he has a
In Asia, Hepatitis B Virus Is Now a Major Health Threat: Philadelphia Inquirer (www.phillynews.com) (08/06/00) P. A15; Tran, Tini; Hepatitis B infection is growing among many parts of Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where poor nations also face HIV and unclean needles. Carriers of hepatitis B have bouts of illness, as the virus destroys the liver, killing 1 million people a year. According to the World Health Organization , 8 percent to 15 percent
US AIDS Treatment Costs Estimated at About $7 Billion: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/07/00); Research published in the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes (2000;24:182-188) indicates that it cost between $6.7 billion and $7.8 billion to treat Americans with HIV in 1996, which is around $20,000 to $24,700 a person per year. Instead of preparing a patient-based HIV cost estimate, researchers from the
More Young Men Heeding Messages on Abstinence: Washington Times (www.washtimes.com) (08/08/00) P. A2; Wetzstein, Cheryl; The number of high school males who have had sex has dropped from 57.4 percent in 1991 to 52.2 percent in 1999, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many young men are deciding to abstain from sex until marriage, with the help of teachers and positive role models. Former North Carolina public sc
Bugs Make Life Better for Children With AIDS: New Scientist (www.newscientist.com) (07/08/00) Vol. 167, No. 2246, P. 17; Coghlan, Andy; Preliminary data from an unpublished study by Susanna Cunningham-Rundles of Cornell University s Weill Medical College shows that probiotic bacteria can help children with AIDS. Thirteen children were given a daily dose of a fruit drink containing the bacterium Lactobacillus plantarum 299v. The patients had been losing
African Leaders Begin Summit, Congo's Kabila Absent: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (08/06/00); Mseteka, Buchizya; Members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) began talks in Namibia this weekend, focusing on a free trade pact, Zimbabwe s land crisis, and the impact of AIDS. HIV, an enormous threat to the area s people and economies, has infected approximately 11 million of the SADC region s 190 million people. Effe
Lethbridge Hospital Used Dirty Surgical Tools: Twelve Patients to Be Tested for HIV and Hepatitis: Ottawa Citizen (www.ottawacitizen.com) (08/05/00) P. A8; In Canada , 12 Alberta residents are being tested for HIV and hepatitis after undergoing surgery with improperly sterilized equipment at Lethbridge Regional Hospital. Although doctors say the risk of infection is low, the patients will be tested after being operated on with equipment that did not make it through the co
Prison Guards Tested for Tuberculosis: Boston Globe (www.boston.com/globe) (08/05/00) P. B5; In Rhode Island, all correctional officers are being tested for tuberculosis following the possible exposure of about 12 guards to the disease. According to Rhode Island Brotherhood of Correctional Officers President Richard Ferruccio, the guards are being tested as a precaution after several inmates from the maximum a
Reading, 'Riting, Rehabilitating: Inmate School Becomes a Model for India's Prison Reform Effort: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (08/07/00) P. A14; Lakshmi, Rama; Prisoners in India are being taught to write and read, a breakthrough in their rough penal system. India has devoted few resources to its prisons, in which there are some 300,000 inmates nationwide, most of whom have not yet been tried. The overcrowded conditions have led to outbreaks of tuberculosis. Primarily as a re
Churches Offer Sex Education: Washington Times (www.washtimes.com) (08/05/00) P. C12; The Rev. John Corrado of Grosse Pointe Unitarian Church in Michigan supports teaching sex education to teens. Where more appropriate of a place to talk about life and the creation of being than here [in church]? Corrado asked. We re not trying to shock or be hip. We re trying to be solid. Many other churches have taken
Four Surveys on Teen Sex Reinforce Data: Washington Times (www.washtimes.com) (08/05/00) P. A2; Wetzstein, Cheryl; Four major surveys of adolescent sexual behavior show similar trends among teenagers regarding sexual health. According to a comparison of these four studies, Identifying similar trends would demonstrate that these data systems are reliable. The study, led by John S. Santelli of the Centers for Disease Control and Prev
Chats With Parents Pass Sex Attitudes to Teens: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (08/07/00) P. 6D; Elias, Marilyn; A study by psychologist Daniel Whitaker of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that young people are more likely to have the same attitudes about teenage sex as their parents, if the parents have discussions with them about sex-related subjects. The study of 907 teen/mother pairs revealed that teens wh
Cultural Barriers Hinder Education of Asian-Americans About AIDS: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (08/07/00) P. B1; Wong, Edward; Experts say that HIV prevention and treatment efforts need to reach more Asian-Americans, especially recent immigrants. According to researchers, this is because of the variety of languages spoken and cultural beliefs that do not encourage talk about sex, death, and sexually transmitted diseases. Community groups are o
Missed Opportunities for Prevention of Tuberculosis Among Persons With HIV Infection--Selected Locations, United States, 1996-1997: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (www2.cdc.gov/mmwr) (08/04/00) Vol. 49, No. 30, P. 685; People in close contact with infectious tuberculosis (TB) patients are at high risk for becoming infected with TB. Previous studies have documented that people co-infected with HIV and TB are up to 800 times more likely to develop the potentially fatal active TB disease than the general population. To ensure that HIV-i
TB Scare Spreads Through Urawa School: Mainichi Daily News (www.mainichi.co.jp/english) (08/04/00) P. 14; In Japan , over 44 students and teachers at Minami Urawa Junior High School in Saitama Prefecture may have been exposed to tuberculosis (TB). A teacher at the school was hospitalized for TB in March. While no other cases have been diagnosed, follow-up tests in April indicated that two students and two teachers had come
Severe Lower Respiratory Tract Infections More Deadly in HIV- Infected Children: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/03/00); South African researchers have found that children with HIV are more likely to die from lower respiratory tract infections than children who are not infected with the virus. Based on their study of 948 children aged two months to five years, Dr. Shabir A. Madhi and colleagues concluded that among children under two yea
Suicidal Thoughts More Prevalent in Older HIV-Infected Individuals: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/03/00); A study conducted at the Medical College of Wisconsin found that 27 percent of HIV-infected individuals age 45 and over had suicidal thoughts, a figure much higher than the 15 percent to 20 percent of younger people with HIV who consider suicide. Dr. Seth Kalichman and colleagues evaluated 113 HIV- infected individuals
Ventura County News: AIDS Cases Dropping, But Not HIV: Los Angeles Times (www.latimes.com) (08/03/00) P. B1; Polakovic, Gary; Ventura County, California, has seen a drop in the number of AIDS cases, but more residents are contracting HIV. A total of 350 county residents have confirmed AIDS, and an estimated 1,000 to 4,000 people have HIV, according to Lynn Bartosh of Ventura s Public Health Department. AIDS Project Ventura County is an AIDS s
Caribbean AIDS Ignored? Group to Hold Conference in Barbados Next Month: New York Daily News (www.nydailynews.com) (08/03/00) P. 2; Shelby, Joyce; In the wake of the 13th International Conference on AIDS in South Africa , BarCare--a two-year-old nonprofit group from New York--is preparing for a similar meeting in Barbados next month, one that will highlight the problem of AIDS in the Caribbean. The Caribbean is running second in the incidence of new cases of AI
Polish Tuberculosis Level Double EU Rate: Ministry: Agence France Presse (www.apf.com) (08/03/00); Poland has twice the number of tuberculosis (TB) cases than the rest of European Union (EU) countries. The number of cases has reached 31.5 per 100,000 people, compared to the EU average of 15 per 100,000. The Polish health ministry believes it will take 25 years to reduce TB cases to the level of five cases per 100,
Tuberculosis Risk High for Long-Term Travel in Poorer Countries: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (08/04/00); Research led by Frank Cobelens of the Center for Tropical and Travel Medicine in Amsterdam shows that people who travel to countries with high rates of tuberculosis (TB) can reintroduce the disease in their home country after months abroad. A study of 656 Dutch citizens who spent three to 12 months in Africa, Asia, or
Development of an Indinavir Oral Liquid for Children: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy (www.ashp.org) (07/15/00) Vol. 57, No. 14, P. 1332; Hugen, Patricia W.H.; Burger, David M.; Ter Hofstede, Hadewych J.M.; et al.; Triple-drug regimens for the suppression of AIDS in HIV- positive patients have been available for several years for adults, in various combinations, and just recently for children. Ritonavir and nelfinavir, introduced in liquid and powder formulations, respectively, have prompted studies for pediatric formulations of
All Pregnant Women Need HIV Testing, Regardless of Apparent Risk: Infectious Diseases in Children (www.slackinc.com/idc.htm) (07/00) Vol. 13, No. 7, P. 32; Kirsche, Michelle L.; The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has recommended that all pregnant women be tested for HIV during routine prenatal care. The ACOG also supports HIV- infected women being counseled about the option of cesarean delivery if they have a viral load over 1,000 copies. These statements, announced
HIV Incidence Doubles in a Month in Russia's Region: Itar Wire Service (www.itar-tass.com) (08/03/00); Duyun, Pyotr; The number of registered HIV cases in Russia s Ulyanovsk region has nearly doubled within a month. Health committee chairman Alexander Nabegayev said that 1,109 HIV cases have been recorded, twice the June figure. Nabegayev noted that most of the infections were among injection drug users under the age of 30 and that a
European Union to Provide Funds to Combat AIDS in SADC: PANA Wire Service (www.africanews.org/PANA) (08/02/00); The European Union reportedly will provide $48 million Namibian dollars to help the Southern African Development Community (SADC) HIV/AIDS response project. Dr. Thuthula Balfour, coordinator of the SADC s health sector, said that all sectors involved in economic development maintain HIV/AIDS programs. One issue that th
Free Trade, Wars to Top Agenda at Africa Summit: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (08/03/00); Mseteka, Buchizya; African officials will convene this weekend for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit in Namibia . Issues the leaders plan to discuss include the war in Angola , the economic decline of the sub-continent, and AIDS. Nearly 11 million of the 190 million people who live in the 14-nation SADC are infecte
Condom Dispersal [in North Carolina] in Question; Davidson Commissioners Will Take Up the Issue of Giving Teens Access to Condoms: Greensboro News & Record (www.news-record.com) (08/02/00) P. B1; Helms, Chris; In North Carolina, the Davidson County Health Department currently offers free condoms to anyone who asks. However, county commissioners are questioning whether minors should be able to receive the contraceptives without parental consent. State law allows minors to give consent for certain health services, including th
Presidential Campaign Means Little to Residents of Border Colonias: Fort Worth Star-Telegram (www.star-telegram.com) (08/01/00); Root, Jay; Ranchitos 359 is a destitute colonia situated outside of Laredo, Texas. Residents of the colonia--which is the Spanish word for colony and has come to signify squalor--have to refill drums of water every few days, often from wells up to 20 miles away. Residents of Texas colonias have expressed little interest in the U.
Plasmid DNA Is a Potentially Useful Component of HIV Vaccine: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/02/00); Gale, Karla; New research from Dr. Michael Egan of Harvard Medical School and colleagues shows that plasmid DNA could be useful in an HIV-1 vaccine. The researchers vaccinated five rhesus monkeys with an SIV gag DNA vaccine, which stimulated a cytotoxic T- lymphocyte response in peripheral blood and lymph node lymphocytes. Within w
Infectious Diseases and Parasitic Maladies Get a Dose of Research Funding: Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com) (08/03/00) P. A1; Ridge, Pamela Sebastian; The Howard Hughes Medical Institute of Chevy Chase, Maryland, has given $15 million in grants to 45 scientists in 20 countries to help fight diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, and Lassa fever. The institute, which made awards of $225,000 to $450,000, noted that this is the first time it has made international grants
A Step Back in Time: Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (www.iapac.org) (07/00) Vol. 6, No. 7, P. 193; Voelker, Rebecca; Earlier this year, researchers called together by South African President Thabo Mbeki discussed the AIDS epidemic in the country, where 1,600 people are infected with HIV every day. Eight members of this panel believe that HIV is not the cause of AIDS, but that the disease occurs in recreational drug users and those wh
Criticism Over Prison Lab Tests; Advocacy Group Wants Judge to Reopen Lawsuit: San Francisco Chronicle (www.sfgate.com) (08/01/00) P. A18; St. John, Kelly; A prisoners advocacy group has requested a judge to reopen a lawsuit over negligence in California prisons, in which the Department of Corrections in California did not provide medical care to seriously ill female prisoners at Central California Women s Facility in Chowchilla. The state agreed to improve care per a 199
House of Hope in Vietnam; Drug Users Given Coffee and Comfort at Needle Exchange in Attempt to Curb AIDS Epidemic: San Francisco Chronicle (www.sfgate.com) (08/01/00) P. A8; Mason, Margie; Vietnam s first needle exchange cafe, the Hy Vong, or Hope Cafe, offers clean needles in exchange for used ones. Prostitutes and drug users enter the Hope Cafi, which is sponsored by the Canadian and Vietnamese governments, and can also have their clothes washed, take a shower, and obtain free condoms. A safe zone area
Scientists Find Rain Forest Plant Species That Fight Tuberculosis; Washington U. Team Tests Extracts From Peru: St. Louis Post-Dispatch (www.stlnet.com) (08/01/00) P. A5; Hesman, Tina; Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis have discovered over 300 plant species in Peru that can fight tuberculosis (TB) bacteria. Biologist Walter Lewis and colleague Scott Franzblau of Louisiana State University tested 1,250 extracts of rain forest plants and found that 46 percent can inhibit the growth of
Healthcare Providers Need Direct Link to HIV Prevention News: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (08/01/00); Members of the Medical College of Wisconsin s Center for AIDS Intervention Research (CAIR) have studied the best ways to inform healthcare professionals about new HIV preventions. The study, found in the American Journal of Public Health (2000;90:1-7), reveals a gap between the publication of research and what physicia
Traveling Doctors Go Where the Need Is; Clinics in Stores Make Care Accessible: Washington Post--Prince William Extra (www.washingtonpost.com) (08/02/00) P. V1; Galarza, Milton Carrero; Hispanic migrant workers rarely go to the doctor, often because they are working during physicians office hours, do not have health insurance, and because they want a doctor who speaks Spanish, according to Esther Zurita, a physician and HIV/AIDS case manager at Prince William Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers in Virgini
Patients Who Deny HIV Worsen More Quickly: United Press International (www.upi.com) (08/02/00); North Carolina researchers have found that patients who deny they have HIV get sicker more quickly than those who find other ways to cope. A study of 82 HIV-infected gay men found that the men who pretended HIV is not their problem progressed to AIDS faster. The study is published in the August issue of the American Jo
A Silent Fraternity: Officers With HIV: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (08/02/00) P. A23; Rashbaum, William K.; Members of the New York Police Department who are infected with HIV often hide the fact from colleagues. AIDS is a secret they are afraid to share, for fear of banishment and distrust from fellow officers. Some of these individuals say that while they wish they could tell their fellow co-workers, many officers still co
Scientists Warn of Inaction as AIDS Spreads in China: New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (08/02/00) P. A1; Rosenthal, Elisabeth; Many leading scientists in China have expressed concern about the government s lack of action in the war against AIDS. Earlier this year, a report by top Chinese experts stated, The spread of AIDS is accelerating rapidly and we face the prospect of remaining inert against the threat. The report also asserted, Owing
Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia Common in HIV-Infected South African Infants: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (07/31/00); Researchers from the University of Cape Town in South Africa report that Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) is a common infection in HIV-infected infants in the country, with mortality nearing 50 percent. The study of 151 young children suspected or known to have HIV and with pneumonia found PCP in 15 patients. A to
Timing, Dose, and Route of Administration Important Parameters for HIV Immunization: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (07/31/00); Researcher Dr. Mariano Esteban and colleagues at Centro Nacional Biotechnologia in Madrid have found that the best immune response in a vaccine is controlled by timing, sequence, dose and route of administration of vaccine components like vectors and antigens. The scientists investigated the factors linked with an opti
Banff Wrestles With STD Impact: Transients Make Assessments Difficult: Calgary Herald (07/31/00) P. B4; The Canadian city of Banff, located in Alberta, has a high rate of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), particularly among young people. Kelly Marlowe of AIDS Bow Valley said that the true scope of the problem may never be known, however, in part because of the town s large seasonal workforce. Marlowe noted, This is k
After News of Fatal Allergic Reactions, Glaxo Increases Warning on Ziagen: Raleigh News and Observer (www.news-observer.com) (07/29/00) P. D6; Glaxo Wellcome has added a black-box warning--the Food and Drug Administration s strongest warning--to its Ziagen AIDS medication indicating that doctors and patients should be diligent about watching for hypersensitivity reactions. The warning notes that the risk of hypersensitivity reactions is greatest af
World Is Heeding the Lessons of Africa's AIDS Crisis: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (08/01/00) P. 10D; Sternberg, Steve; Some 34 million people worldwide are infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The 13th International Conference on AIDS in Durban, South Africa , brought warnings about the impact of the disease on Africa s orphan population, life expectancy in several nations, and the demographics of the countries most affected
Scientists Tell of Vaccinations Through Womb: Calgary Herald (www.canoe.ca/calgarysun) (08/01/00) P. A4; Branswell, Helen; Scientists from the University of Saskatchewan have discovered a method of vaccinating fetuses in the womb. The process-- which could help prevent babies from contracting HIV, hepatitis B, and other diseases at birth--has proven effective in small on fetal lambs, according to Philip Griebel of the university s veterina
Needle Prescriptions and Legal Safeguards: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (08/01/00) P. A2; Researchers announced Monday that the majority of doctors and pharmacists in America can legally prescribe and distribute needles to drug users. The findings, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine (2000;133:218-226), should help alleviate some doctors fears of legal penalties for giving syringes to addicts. The
Cost-Effectiveness of Voluntary HIV-1 Counselling and Testing in Reducing Sexual Transmission of HIV-1 in Kenya and Tanzania: Lancet (www.thelancet.com) (07/08/00) Vol. 356, No. 9224, P. 113; Sweat, Michael; Gregorich, Steven; Sangiwa, Gloria; et al.; HIV-1 voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) is not available in most regions in Africa. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University and the Center for AIDS Prevention Studies at the University of California at San Francisco and colleagues examined the cost-effectiveness of HIV-1 VCT among people in urban east Africa. A
Efficacy of Voluntary HIV-1 Counselling and Testing in Individuals and Couples in Kenya, Tanzania, and Trinidad: A Randomised Trial: Lancet (www.thelancet.com) (07/08/00) Vol. 356, No. 9224, P. 103; Coates, Thomas J.; Grinstead, Olga A.; Gregorich, Steven E.; et al.; Researchers assessed the efficacy of HIV-1 voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) in reducing unprotected intercourse among 3,120 individuals and 586 couples in Kenya , Tanzania , and Trinidad . All of the individuals were unmarried, and two-thirds of the cou
Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment Delayed When HIV Is Prevalent: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (07/28/00); The stigma of AIDS in Thailand prevents many people with tuberculosis (TB) from getting treatment. Dr. Jintana Ngamvithayapong of the TB/HIV Research Project in Chiang Rai, Thailand, and colleagues report in the journal AIDS (2000;14:1413-1419) that public health education efforts had made many people aware of AIDS; ho
Gonorrhea Cases Increase 25 Percent in Year, Figures Show: PA News (www.pressassociation.press.net) (07/31/00); Frith, Maxine; New statistics from England s Public Health Laboratory Service show that cases of gonorrhea in the country increased 25 percent last year. The report also showed that new cases of genital chlamydia rose 16 percent and there was a 3 percent increase in the incidence of genital warts. According to the data, the greatest
Club Drug Linked to Risky Sex Among Gay Men: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (07/28/00); A study of 169 men at three predominantly gay nightclubs in New York City indicates a link between the club drug ecstasy and unsafe sex. According to the study in the American Journal of Psychiatry (2000;157:1162-1164), roughly one-third of the men said they used ecstasy at least once a month, and these individuals wer
Cellucci Vetoes State Needle Exchange Plan: Boston Herald (www.bostonherald.com) (07/29/00) P. 11; Lasalandra, Michael; Massachusetts Gov. Paul Cellucci vetoed on Friday a proposal that would have permitted state health authorities to establish needle exchange programs even if local officials disagreed. Current law allows needle exchanges only after local approval is given. The vetoed plan would have allowed the Department of Public Hea
Gates Couple Giving Harvard $45 Million to Fight TB Strains: Deseret News (www.desnews.com) (07/30/00) P. A8; The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has donated approximately $45 million to Harvard Medical School for the fight against drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis (TB). Harvard reports that it will use the five-year grant to work with groups including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the
Risky Behavior Spurs AIDS Threat; New Therapies Lead to Infection Apathy: Boston Herald (www.bostonherald.com) (07/30/00) P. 63; Miller-Medzon, Karyn; AIDS death rates have been falling in Massachusetts, but some officials note that a new apathy has developed with regards to HIV, in part because of new potent drug treatments. Carissa Cunningham of Boston s AIDS Action Committee notes, A whole new generation of people are becoming sexually active. For them, the AIDS e
Condom Giveaway Based on Profiling, Pro-Lifers Contend: Washington Times (www.washtimes.com) (07/31/00) P. A2; Ing, Lisa; Planned Parenthood in Ohio is offering coupons for free condoms and food at McDonald s, a move that pro-life groups say is targeting only low-income neighborhoods. The promotional bag includes coupons for 12 free condoms and a $5 McDonald s gift certificate, as well as information on sexually transmitted diseases, cont
Fresh Rise in HIV Rate Rings Alarms: 'Prevention Burnout' and a Return of Risky Sexual Behavior Among Gay Men: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (07/31/00) P. 10A; Ritter, John; Questionnaires given in San Francisco s gay neighborhoods are helping health officials learn about risky sexual practices and other habits of gay men in the city. San Francisco is the first American city to confirm a rise in new HIV infections after years of decline. Officials are worried that the city s statistics may
Grounds for Hope on AIDS in Africa: Nature (www.nature.com) (07/20/00) Vol. 406, No. 6793, P. 219; The 13th International AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa , took a few steps towards the goal of providing affordable treatment for AIDS patients in Africa, note the editors of Nature. Renewed global attention for the AIDS epidemic has led to increased funding from various places, including the U.S. House of Repre
Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among Firefighters, Emergency Medical Technicians, and Paramedics--Selected Locations, United States, 1991-2000: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (www2.cdc.gov/mmwr) (07/28/00) Vol. 49, No. 29, P. 660; First responders, or firefighters, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians, are at risk for contracting blood-borne diseases on the job, according to new research. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed the risk for hepatitis C virus (HCV) among these workers in five areas: Philadelphia, Atlanta,
Weekly Notes: [Nigerian HIV Vaccine]: Washington Times (www.washtimes.com) (07/27/00) P. A16; Earlier this week, a Nigerian physician said he would not stop selling an untested therapy he claims is an HIV vaccine. A spokesman for Dr. Jeremiah Abalaka said the doctor had not been formally told of the ban that Health Minister Tim Manakaya imposed on the vaccine, via a television announcement, last week.
Risky Sex Linked to Psychiatric Problems--Researchers: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (07/27/00); Researchers from New Zealand report that young adults who have risky sex could also have psychiatric problems. A study of 1,000 21-year-olds found that early or unprotected sex were more likely in depressed, addicted, or schizophrenic adults. The researchers, who report their findings in the British Medical Journal (20
U.S. Said Facing Silent Epidemic of Hepatitis C: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (07/27/00); Surgeon General David Satcher warned Thursday that the United States is seeing an epidemic of hepatitis C in which most of the 4 million Americans who are infected with the virus are not aware of their infection. Satcher and lawmakers have started an awareness campaign about the deadly disease. People at risk for hepat
Delegates Seek $275 Million to Fight AIDS: Washington Times (www.washtimes.com) (07/27/00) P. A16; Tang, Didi; At a briefing to Congress on Wednesday, delegates to the International AIDS Conference in Durban called on the United States to provide $275 million in emergency funds to help fight AIDS in Africa. Sandra Thurman, director of the White House national AIDS policy office, noted, We ve made a lot of mistakes along the way
House OKs Continued Funds for AIDS Care; Revised Formula Would Cut S.F.'s Share: San Francisco Chronicle (www.sfgate.com) (07/27/00) P. A3; Lochhead, Carolyn; The House of Representatives voted Wednesday to renew the Ryan White CARE Act using a new funding formula that could cut San Francisco s share from the program. The current act expires at the end of September. Co-sponsored by Reps. Tom Coburn (R- Okla.) and Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), the new measure includes plans to gra
HIV/AIDS Number One Security Threat in SE Asia: Albright: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (07/28/00); U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has called the spread of AIDS in southeast Asia the chief threat to security in the region. Albright, speaking to officials from the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN), noted, There is no greater danger to the health and security of this region than HIV and AIDS. Accordi
HIV-1 Rebound After Anti-Retroviral Therapy: Nature Medicine (medicine.nature.com) (07/00) Vol. 6, No. 7, P. 736; Ho, David D.; Zhang, Linqi; Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) can control replication of HIV-1, but experiments have shown it cannot eliminate the virus completely, because it remains in latent reservoirs in resting memory CD4 T cells. A study by Tae-Wook Chun et al. in the July issue of Nature Medicine compared the genotype of the vir
Relationship Between Pre-Existing Viral Reservoirs and the Re- Emergence of Plasma Viremia After Discontinuation of Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy: Nature Medicine (medicine.nature.com) (07/00) Vol. 6, No. 7, P. 757; Chun, Tae-Wook; Davey, Richard T., Jr.; Ostrowski, Mario; et al.; Researchers from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the University of Washington examined the rebound of HIV infection when highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is stopped. There is continuing evidence that the virus can replicate and remain latent in resting CD4 T cells. The scientis
State Legislature Passes Syringe Possession Decriminalization Bills: Brown Daily Herald (www.browndailyherald.com) (07/24/00); Adelman, Jahred; As part of an effort to stem the spread of HIV, the two branches of the Rhode Island legislature have approved matching bills that decriminalize the possession of syringes in the state. The measures, which are set to go into effect on September 1, would allow pharmacists to sell syringes to injection drug users at lowe
Rise in HIV Cases Raises Concern [in Ontario]: Toronto Star Online (www.thestar.ca) (07/26/00); Canadian AIDS activists are worried about a new study from the University of Toronto which shows an increase in HIV infections among gay men in Ontario after 1996. Some fear the rise may be the first sign of increasing HIV infections for gays across Canada . According to the study, the infection rate was 1.5 per 100 pe
HIV Vertical Transmission Rate Declining in the United States: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (07/26/00); A study led by B. Joyce Simpson and colleagues at the Yale University School of Medicine shows that the risk of vertical HIV transmission in the United States fell steadily between 1990 and 1997 compared to the previous five years. Simpson evaluated 347 children born to HIV-infected mothers between 1985 and 1990 and be
[In Washington, D.C.] Angry Norton Defends Williams's Reputation: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (07/27/00) P. B4; Fahrenthold, David A.; Fehr, Stephen C.; Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) defended Washington, D.C. Mayor Anthony A. Williams in Congress on Wednesday, after House Republicans said they would not eliminate a rider on the District budget bill that would void a D.C. Council bill requiring health insurance coverage for contraception. While Williams has said h
CDC Releases New Report on U.S. Health Statistics: U.S. Newswire (www.usnewswire.com) (07/26/00); The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention s National Center for Health Statistics has issued new statistics on U.S. health. The report, titled Health, United States : 2000, shows that more women aged 50 years and over have received mammograms since 1994. The study also notes disparities in healthcare, including th
Senate OKs $600M for AIDS: Las Vegas Sun Online (www.lasvegassun.com) (07/26/00); The Senate has passed legislation that grants up to $600 million in U.S. funding to fight HIV and AIDS in Africa and other parts of the world. The Senate approved the bill, proposed by Sens. Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) and Jesse Helms (R- N.C.), which calls on the U.S. Treasury to set up a trust fund with the World Bank for H
U.S. Launches Hepatitis C Campaign: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (07/27/00) P. 10D; Fackelmann, Kathleen; Tuohy, John; U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher is set to launch today a public education campaign for hepatitis C, a chronic infection that can cause cirrhosis, cancer, and failure of the liver. Satcher and Rep. Tom Bliley (R-Va.) will call on members of Congress to send letters to their constituents informing them about the disea
Metformin in the Treatment of HIV Lipodystrophy Syndrome: Journal of the American Medical Association (www.jama.com) (07/26/00) Vol. 284, No. 4, P. 472; Hadigan, Colleen; Corcoran, Colleen; Basgoz, Nesli; et al.; Lipodystrophy, or fat redistribution and insulin resistance, is common in HIV-infected patients who are treated with combination antiretroviral drugs. These effects are also considered risk factors for coronary artery disease, and as more HIV patients live longer, they can face heart problems. A study of 26 HIV patient
Web Site Helps Patients Comply With HIV Regimens: AIDS Alert (www.ahcpub.com/online.html) (07/00) Vol. 15, No. 7, P. 84; A new Web site, www.aidsmap.com, from NAM publications offers updated information about HIV drugs, their side effects, and HIV transmission. The site also has a clock showing how treatment can be fit into a schedule, creating a personalized pill planner. The Wheel-Your Personal Pill Planner is based on a series of ques
57 People Reported to Be Infected With AIDS in May, June: Kyodo News Service (home.kyodo.co.jp) (07/25/00); In Japan , 57 new AIDS cases were reported in May and June, according to the Health and Welfare Ministry. In addition, 64 HIV infections were reported during that period. The ministry noted that many of the AIDS patients are in their 20s and 30s and that the number of male AIDS patients in their 20s increased from the
HIV-Positive Cases in Russia Triple in Past Year to 53,000: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (07/25/00); The number of HIV cases in Russia grew by 305 percent during the first half of 2000, compared to 1999. According to the Itar-Tass news agency, Vadim Pokrovski of the National Center Against AIDS reported Tuesday that there were more than 22,000 new HIV cases, for a total of 53,170 nationwide. Pokrovski noted that the
Pneumococcal and Influenza Immunization Safe for HIV-Infected Children: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (07/25/00); Dr. Margaret Keller of the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in California, has found that HIV infection in children should not keep them from receiving pneumococcal and influenza vaccines, if the patient is taking combination antiretroviral therapy. In the July issue of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal (2000;19:613-6
Wide Ethnic Health Disparities Found in [Los Angeles] County: Los Angeles Times (www.latimes.com) (07/25/00) P. B7; Landsberg, Mitchell; The health of Los Angeles County, California, varies significantly by race, ethnicity, and lifestyle, according to a new report from the Department of Health Services. For example, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are over seven times as likely than whites to contract tuberculosis. In addition, whites, Asian Ameri
Australia Hikes Overseas Spending on HIV/AIDS: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (07/26/00); Australia has increased its global spending on AIDS programs, adding A$70 million to existing guarantees of A$130 million. A large portion of the funds allocated for the six-year initiative will be spent in the Asia-Pacific region, including for existing projects in Indonesia and
Tracing a Syphilis Outbreak Through Cyberspace: Journal of the American Medical Association (www.jama.com) (07/26/00) Vol. 284, No. 4, P. 447; Klausner, Jeffrey D.; Wolf, Wendy; Fischer-Ponce, Lyn; et al.; A study conducted by researchers at the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention evaluated an outbreak of syphilis among users of an Internet chat room. In June and July 1999, the SFDPH was informed of two new cases of early- stage syphilis in gay men, both of
The Internet as a Newly Emerging Risk Environment for Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Journal of the American Medical Association (www.jama.com) (07/26/00) Vol. 284, No. 4, P. 443; McFarlane, Mary; Bull, Sheana S.; Rietmeijer, Cornelis A.; Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention compared the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) for people who find sex their partners on the Internet to the risk for people who do not meet their sex partners online. Of 856 clients at the Denver Public Health HIV Counseling and Testing Site in
ASEAN Communique to Deliver Little Concrete Action: Reuters (www.reuters.com) (07/24/00); Wong-Anan, Nopporn; The final communique of ministers from the 10-nation Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) appears to be more talk than action, as a draft version obtained Monday reveals that no commitment to the problems of the region were made. The envoys pledged few new policies; however, they did agree to increased coope
AIDS Threatens Amazon Natives: Washington Times (www.washtimes.com) (07/24/00) P. A15; New research indicates that HIV is affecting native tribes of the Amazon and could soon cause widespread devastation. Victor Leonardi, the lead author of the United Nations- sponsored study, said, The Indians are very vulnerable. ... There are towns of 100 people that could vanish. According to the study, three indigen
Dead Monks Disprove Columbus Theory [on Syphilis]: Washington Times (www.washtimes.com) (07/24/00) P. A15; Research on the 14th century skeletons of British monks in Hull, England, has revealed signs of syphilis in several of the men. The finding disproves the theory that syphilis was brought to Europe after Christopher Columbus sailors returned from the New World. Because scientists had seen few traces of the disease befor
FIU Will Offer Male Students Special Clinic: Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel (www.sun-sentinel.com) (07/24/00) P. 1B; Schuster, Karla; Florida International University (FIU) will open a health clinic for men only this fall, as part of an effort to make male students more comfortable with visiting doctors. Over 70 percent of students at FIU who go to the health center are women. By emphasizing checkups and preventive care, the clinic hopes to make men
Intensive Outpatient Support of AIDS Patients Cuts Costs: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (07/24/00); Zwillich, Todd; A study in the July/August issue of Health Affairs shows that close monitoring of HIV patients by case managers encourages AIDS patients to stay on antiretroviral therapies and avoid costly hospital care. After studying a Florida program that offers Medicaid recipients with HIV or AIDS access to case managers and sever
STDs: AIDS Isn't the Only Thing People Have to Worry About: Topeka Capital-Journal (www.cjonline.com) (07/24/00); Sodders, Lisa M.; Health experts are warning people that many sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can be asymptomatic, putting both the individual and others at risk. Jennifer Trimble, a disease intervention specialist with the Shawnee County Health Agency of Kansas, suggests that people who are sexually active be tested occasionally,
Across the USA: Iowa: USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (07/25/00); An outbreak of syphilis in eastern Iowa has been halted, thanks to the efforts of Scott County health official Stuart Scott. Scott has been studying the disease in the Davenport region, where 60 percent of the state s syphilis cases this year have been reported. When a man who was partly to blame for the outbreak refus
How AIDS Undercuts Education in Africa: Christian Science Monitor (www.csmonitor.com) (07/25/00) P. 1; Crawley, Mike; Many teachers in sub-Saharan Africa are dying from AIDS, according to a recent UNICEF report, with at least 860,000 school children in the region losing an instructor to the disease last year. In Kenya , 1,500 teachers died in 1999, compared to just 10 teachers deaths in 1993. UNICEF s Progress of Nations 2000 report
Effects of Mycophenolic Acid on Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection in Vitro and in Vivo: Nature Medicine (medicine.nature.com) (07/00) Vol. 6, No. 7, P. 762; Chapuis, Aude G.; Rizzardi, G. Paolo; D'Agostino, Claudia; et al.; Swiss researchers recently studied the use of mycophenolic acid (MPA) on inhibiting HIV replication. The study evaluated in vitro and in vivo evidence that MPA, a selective inhibitor of the synthesis of guanosine nucleotides in lymphocytes, interferes with the life cycle of HIV through immunological mechanisms. Using f
Correction to 7/21/00 CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update: Hepatitis C a Greater Threat to Healthcare Workers Than HIV: Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (07/20/00); Research reported at the International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases in Atlanta shows that healthcare workers face a 20 to 40 times greater risk of contracting hepatitis C virus (HCV) from an accidental needle stick compared to the risk of HIV. Dr. Robert Ball polled 66 facilities in South Carolina and fou
Iran Warns of AIDS 'Infiltration' Into Prisons: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com) (07/22/00); Morteza Bakhtiari, the head of Iran s penitentiary syste