From: Billi Goldberg <bigoldberg@igc.apc.org>
Subject: CDC Summary 1/5/93
Note: Copyright 1992, Dan R. Greening. Non-commercial reproduction allowed.
Archive-Number: 6714
Organization: unspecified
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 93 08:07:34 PST

                      AIDS Daily Summary
                        January 5, 1993 
 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National AIDS  
Clearinghouse makes available the following information as a public  
service only. Providing this information does not constitute endorsement  
by the CDC, the CDC Clearinghouse, or any other organization. 
Reproduction  of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be 
sold.  Copyright 1992, Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD 

 "Tests Show Infection by AIDS Virus Affects Greater Share of  Cells" 
New York Times (01/05/93), P. C3  (Kolata, Gina)
     Researchers have found that more human cells are actually  latently 
infected with HIV, which helps explain how the entire  immune system is 
eventually destroyed.  In 1986, it was believed  that only 1 in 1,000 
white blood cells were infected with the  virus.  But now, researchers 
are finding that 10, 20, even 30  percent of white blood cells may carry 
HIV, in addition to other  cells.  As a result, researchers conclude 
that direct infection  with HIV should be sufficient to explain the 
destruction of the  immune system in AIDS patients.  The polymerase 
chain reaction  (PCR) can be used to examine HIV by using enzymes to 
copy  fragments of genes 100,000 to a million times, making it easier  
for researchers to study.  PCR is usually performed in the test  tube, 
with enzymes added to raw DNA.  But recently it became  possible to use 
cells themselves as miniature test tubes, making  holes in the cells, 
diffusing reagents for PCR, and letting the  biochemical reaction 
multiply copies of HIV that are hidden in  the cell's DNA.  In a paper 
in the current issue of the  Proceedings of the National Academy of 
Science, Dr. Ashley Haas  and colleagues from the University of 
Minnesota reported using a  variant of PCR to examine tissue from a lung 
tumor taken from an  HIV-positive patient.  They discovered that as many 
as 15 to 20  percent of the white blood cells surrounding the tumor were  
latently infected with HIV.  Regarding drugs to treat HIV  infection, 
Dr. Haas said, "I'm not sure we can ever prevent  activation."  It makes 
more sense, he said, to attempt to inhibit HIV when it tries to emerge 
from a cell, perhaps by blocking a  crucial viral enzyme. 

"Inmates With AIDS Long for Death at Home" New York Times (01/05/93), P. 
A1  (Clines, Francis X.)
     The leading cause of death in the New York State prison system is 
AIDS, and the newly enacted early release program for AIDS  patients is 
not effective enough, according to some critics.  The program was 
enacted last summer after being approved by the state legislature.  
Critics say the program is being implemented too  slowly and is not 
allowing enough prisoners with AIDS to die at  home with their families.  
However, state officials implementing  the program insist that, because 
of security and medical  concerns, they can only allow an annual release 
of possibly 25 of their dying AIDS prisoners, whereas there are about 18 
deaths a  month from AIDS.  Only six inmates have so far been paroled  
earlier than normal under the program.  Nancy Mahon of the  Correctional 
Association of New York said that 15 state inmates  died during the 
application process--more than have been released to die.  She argues 
that dozens of inmates' families want to use  the program, but the slow 
pace is proof of the state's  determination to let out only a token few 
prisoners in their  final days of life to minimize the risk that someone 
relapses  into criminal behavior.  Thomas A. Coughlin 3d, the state  
Commissioner of Corrections, admits to start-up problems, but  says the 
legislature's conservative approach must be exhibited in the program.  
"It was never intended as a way to let all the  people go who are HIV-
positive and are going to die of AIDS some  day," he said.  Mahon 
contends that over half of the more than  200 inmates who die of AIDS in 
New York State prisons annually  could be released if the program were 
properly administered. 

"For Teens at Risk, Talk Isn't Cheap" Baltimore Sun (01/05/93), P. 1D  
(Yakutchik, Maryalice)
     Because teenagers must be spoken to in depth about high-risk  
behavior, the American Medical Association has developed a list  of 
guidelines to facilitate discussion.  Dr. Marianne Felice,  director of 
adolescent medicine at the University of Maryland,  said, "Certainly the 
things killing teenagers are preventable."   She believes that talking 
to teens about their health is just as  important as any examination.  
The AMA agrees, and recently  released GAPS: Guidelines for Adolescent 
Preventative Services.   GAPS includes 24 recommendations for doctors 
suggesting that they as well as parents shift their concentration from 
physical  ailments to behavioral issues and from treatment to 
prevention.   GAPS suggests that adolescents aged 11-21 have annual  
"preventative service visits."  The list of high-risk behaviors  among 
adolescents is becoming more and more severe.  According to the Centers 
for Disease Control and the AMA, about 54 percent of  high school 
students have had sexual intercourse, 19 percent with four or more 
partners.  But only 48 percent of those sexually  active report condom 
use.  Also, 440 adolescents were diagnosed  with AIDS in the 1980s.  Dr. 
Oscar Taube, chairman of the  Committee on Adolescents of the Maryland 
Chapter, American  Academy of Pediatrics, said a physician or parent 
will not  condone high-risk behavior just by addressing it with teens.  
"If you ask and nothing is going on, you've done no harm, except  
perhaps to cause someone to blush a little," he said.  The main  goal of 
GAPS is to encourage physicians to allot time to discuss  high-risk 
behavior with each patient. 

"Merck Reconsiders Pact With MedImmune" Washington Post (01/05/93), P. 
D2  (Sugawara, Sandra)
     Merck + Co. has reviewed its agreement with MedImmune Inc. to  make 
a drug that fights the virus that causes AIDS because of  disappointing 
preliminary experiments.  Merck will study the  program in the next two 
months before a decision can be made to  proceed.  In November, 
MedImmune and Merck announced a plan to  develop a drug using a human 
monoclonal antibody, MedImmune's  MEDI 488.  That announcement gave 
MedImmune a boost in its stock  to $52.75, up from $9.25 six months 
earlier.  Merck has also  worked with MedImmune on its AIDS vaccine 
using a tuberculosis  vaccine called BCG.  The project continues since 
its announcement in 1990, although it is still in the early research 
stages.   According to MedImmune spokesman Anthony Russo, the firm 
rarely  issues public statements on preliminary findings, but project  
with Merck received so much attention last year that the  company 
decided to release the information.  MedImmune announced the  findings 
yesterday, and also said it applied for FDA approval of  a drug that 
treats child pneumonia.

"Mother Dying of AIDS Struggles to Find Home for Son" Baltimore Sun 
(01/05/93), P. 3A  (Wasserman, Joanne)
     Rosemary Holmstrom, who is dying of AIDS, is looking for a good  
home to adopt her HIV-negative son.  Holmstrom has been infected  with 
HIV since 1986, and is trying to find a home for her son,  C.J., before 
she dies.  Because she is estranged from her family  and wary of the 
foster care system, she has made her own journey  to find C.J. a home 
where he will be loved as much as she loves  him.  She also wants to 
know the parents and them to know her,  "so they can pass on who I am to 
my son," she said.  Hundreds of  people have responded to her request, 
which was published in the  New York Daily News two weeks ago.  She said 
the telephone rings  almost nonstop with offers to appear on television 
shows.  She  has received hundreds of letters and Federal Express 
packages.   She said she must "categorize the letters--I have to find 
some  way to sort them out: single parents, couples, gay, straight."   
But as a result of the publicity, C. J. has been teased and  condemned 
by other children at school.  He has said that he does  not want to 
return to school.  One woman in the neighborhood  planned to have her 
son tested for HIV because, "my boy used to  play with C.J., and what 
about blood?"  Holmstrom responded,  "Doesn't anyone listen?  C.J. 
doesn't have AIDS."  He has tested  negative for the virus four times.  
She said that she is  overwhelmed by her efforts to find him a home, but 
she and C.J.  have yet to discuss the issue of her death. 

"Midwest Report: Lesbian Lawmaker Seeks Help for AIDS Sufferers" Chicago 
Tribune (01/04/93), P. 1-3
     Wisconsin should provide in-home care and services for more AIDS  
patients, according to the state legislature's first avowed  lesbian.  
State Rep.-elect Tammy Baldwin (D-Madison) said the  services are needed 
because of the lack of assistance she has  witnessed for friends and 
others with the disease.  "A number of  people who I worked closely with 
or cared deeply about have died  of AIDS.  It's hard to lose people you 
love to any disease.  I  have similar feelings about cancer," she said.  
Baldwin, a Dane  County supervisor and an attorney, was one of six 
openly  homosexual political candidates nationwide who won the Nov. 3  
elections, according to the Washington-based Gay and Lesbian  Victory 
fund. 

"Woman's Suit Says Hospital Denied Treatment Over AIDS Fear" United 
Press International (01/04/93)
     Mount Clemens, Mich.--A lawsuit has been filed against doctors  and 
nurses at Mount Clemens General Hospital who wrongly  suspected a 
Detroit-area woman of having AIDS and refused to  treat her two years 
ago.  Deborah Wright filed a suit against the hospital last week seeking 
more than $10,000 in damages.  Her  suit is based on an August ruling by 
the Michigan Supreme Court,  which said discrimination based on the 
perception that someone  has AIDS breaches the state Handicappers' Civil 
Rights Act.   Kenneth Hylton Jr., Wright's lawyer, said Wright has a 
depressed  immune system and went to the hospital on her physician's 
advice  for an injection to bolster her immune system to prevent chicken  
pox, which her son developed.  However, Hylton said that when  Wright 
arrived at the hospital she was asked why she needed such  an injection 
and whether she had AIDS or HIV infection.  He said  she was told that 
the medication was not available.  "They denied her treatment," Hylton 
said, adding that the hospital "perceived  her to be a person with an 
immune system disorder ... possibly  AIDS ... then showed her the door."  
Wright said in her suit that she does not have AIDS or HIV infection.  
Hospital spokesman Doug Czajkowski said Mount Clemens General's policy 
is to care for any patient, regardless of condition.  However, he did 
not comment on the lawsuit. 

"The Angry Politics of Kemron" Newsweek (01/04/93) Vol. 121, No. 1, P. 
43  (Hager, Mary)
     Two years ago, U.S. officials discounted a Kenyan researcher's  
claims that he discovered a protein that might cure AIDS as  invalid.  
Recently, the same health officials requested a new  study of the 
treatment after receiving pressure from the Nation  of Islam and other 
groups.  Critics say that the drug should not  have high testing 
priority because of its low prospects.  The  low-dose interferon, 
natural chemicals that cells use to fight  infection, was originally 
used as treatment for respiratory  diseases in cattle by Joseph Cummins.  
Unlike doctors who  prescribe large doses of interferon to fight 
diseases, Cummins  uses a low-dosage to attack illnesses in humans and 
animals, and  with positive results.  Cummins provided Davy Koech of 
Kenya a  powdered form of his drug for administering on Koech's AIDS  
patients.  Koech announced success of the drug within two months  and 
named the drug Kemron.  He said 99 out of 101 patients who  took the 
drug became outwardly healthy, and he said some regained some lost 
immune cells while blood in others eliminated HIV in  scans.  Opponents 
argue that Koech did not test Kemron on  untreated patients and could 
not conclude Kemron as an AIDS cure. 

"Company Time" Village Voice (12/29/92) Vol. 37, No. 52, P. 19  (Smart, 
Theo)
     Hoffmann-La Roche announced that it waits for results of stalled  
studies on a drug to treat AIDS.  Animal studies have produced  too many 
side effects, stopping the testing.  A tat gene  inhibitor, unlike other 
anti-virals on the market, stops  replication of the virus and ceases 
all viral activity in  infected cells.  However, researchers have tested 
the drug for  over a year and still has insufficient data because no 
testing  period has lasted more than two weeks.  Despite plans to hold  
three large trials of the drug, HLR has only begun the one that  
government officials co-sponsored.  HLR, on the other hand, said  it has 
to analyze toxicity in animals before beginning new tests. The monkeys 
became anorexic, according to the data.  Darien  Wilson, spokeswoman for 
HLR, puts the blame of the delay on the  pharmacokinetics of the drug 
while opponents question HLR's  interest in this drug.  NIH has also 
tried to quicken the results of the research, but HLR did not provide 
NIH the information.   HLR maintains that slight variations in a 
compound can cause  changes in toxicity and effectiveness and 
researchers cannot  pinpoint a date when they produce treatments. 
"Reform of Federal AIDS Research Proposed to New Administration,  
Congress" AIDS Treatment News (12/18/92) No. 165, P. 3  (Griffith, 
Keith)
     The Clinton transition team is seriously considering a reform  
package that could result in dramatic changes in the way the  federal 
government conducts AIDS research at the National  Institutes of Health.  
The reforms are still being developed  before the new administration is 
inducted in January.  Proponents view the reforms as being critical if 
President-elect Clinton is  to follow his campaign promise to 
concentrate more on AIDS  issues.  Representatives from Treatment Action 
Group (TAG), AIDS  Action Council (AAC), and Human Rights Campaign Fund 
(HRCF) have  conducted high level meetings at NIH regarding the reform  
package.  The reform packages include a series of 24 proposals  that 
would suggest centralizing all AIDS research programs at NIH under the 
authority of the Office of AIDS Research (OAR).  Gregg  Gonsalves, 
spokesman for TAG, said, "We want the OAR to have  increased budgetary 
and administrative authority."  He added,  "Right now there are 21 
institutes, centers, and divisions, at  NIH that supervise AIDS 
research, and we would like OAR to have a single budget line for 
themselves and to distribute money instead of going through 21 directors 
who decide where it goes."   Gonsalves and colleague Mark Harrington, 
both of TAG, conducted a comprehensive study of the NIH AIDS program 
earlier this year.   They found that NIH experiences gaps in research, 
that redundancy is much too common, and that there is virtually no 
strategic  planning.  OAR, which was formed in 1988 by Congress to 
monitor  federal research at NIH, was never given enforcement of powers 
to carry out its mission.  The reforms would require the OAR to  report 
directly to the NIH director and work with the newly  created "AIDS 
Czar." 

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