Date: Mon, 28 Nov 1994 10:19:19 +0500 From: awilson@smtpinet.aspensys.com (Wilson, Anne) AIDS Daily Summary November 28, 1994 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National AIDS Clearinghouse makes available the following information as a public service only. Providing this information does not constitute endorsement by the CDC, the CDC Clearinghouse, or any other organization. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC Clearinghouse should be cited as the source of this information. Copyright 1994, Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD *********************************************************** "Epidemiology: Targeting an Ally of HIV" "World Bank to Emphasize AIDS as Economic Threat" "Across the USA: D.C." "Capitol Hill Turbulence Challenges AIDS Chief" "Single National Body Urged to Run Blood System" "Study Says Crack Addicts Selling Sex for Drugs Are Spreading AIDS Virus" "Invitation to Fight AIDS" "When Parents Are Dying" "December 1 is World AIDS Day" "Is My Cat a Danger to My Health?" ************************************************************ "Epidemiology: Targeting an Ally of HIV" Washington Post (11/28/94) P. A2 Cyclosporin A, a drug used to help prevent rejection of transplanted organs, may slow progression of AIDS by binding with the protein cyclophilin A. Two studies by research teams from Columbia University and Harvard University have found that HIV apparently needs cyclophilin A in order to duplicate itself. Other AIDS experts were cautious about the use of cyclosporin as a treatment because they thought HIV might be able to develop a resistance to the drug. They added, however, that the discovery will probably shed new light on the life cycle of HIV. "World Bank to Emphasize AIDS as Economic Threat" Washington Post (11/28/94) P. A7; Brown, David The importance of AIDS as a threat to economic development will be the World Bank's emphasis in a new campaign of lending to AIDS-ravaged countries. A World Bank official said that the effect of the disease on income and work force skills is not widely appreciated, both in the governments of the countries most affected and among the agencies trying to help them. The World Bank will loan approximately $150 million this year to support AIDS prevention and treatment programs. Jean-Louis Lamboray cited Brazil as an example of where the fight against AIDS has been successfully framed as a suitable investment. Brazilian officials, however, had to first be persuaded to take a loan from the World Bank to support prevention of sexually transmitted diseases through education, counseling, and testing; to improve medical treatment for people with HIV; and to improve the laboratory skills of health workers. "Across the USA: D.C." USA Today (11/28/94) P. 12A On Thursday, World AIDS Day, AIDS activist Steve Michael will initiate an effort to recall District of Columbia Ward 2 Councilman Jack Evans. Michael claims that Evans has not done enough to fight the spread of HIV since gaining the position and defeating gay candidate James Zais. "Capitol Hill Turbulence Challenges AIDS Chief" Baltimore Sun (11/26/94) P. 3A; Selby, Holly At a time when activists are calling the new Congress a "disaster" for anyone attempting to get federal funding or develop new programs to fight AIDS, Patricia S. Fleming--who has taken charge of the office of AIDS policy--seems undaunted by the prospects. Fleming believes that the key to making progress can be found on Capitol Hill. "The focus of this office is going to be different, more centered within Washington: I'll be trying to have impact on programs and policies here," she says. Fleming's top priority--at the request of President Clinton--is to complete a report that will study the populations of youths most at risk for HIV and to identify successful HIV prevention programs. Another priority is developing programs that "empower" women, especially women of color, so they can protect themselves against HIV. While many activists consider her insider knowledge to be her greatest asset, other AIDS advocates are concerned. "[Ms. Fleming] is well-placed....But that job is a kind of a set-up," says Lynda Dee, a member of the AIDS Clinical Trial Group executive committee. "The way the country is right now, I'm not sure how effective anyone can be in that job." "Single National Body Urged to Run Blood System" Toronto Globe and Mail (11/25/94) P. A2; Coutts, Jane The Canadian Public Health Association has called for a single national body to run the country's blood system. Dr. Rick Mathias, a member of the group that prepared the report, said that if one body was responsible for the blood system a decade ago, at least some of the 1,000 people infected with HIV might not have caught the disease. The report, however, focuses on the future, not on laying blame for the past, said Dr. Perry Kendall, Toronto's medical officer of health and a member of the report task force. A single governing body, he said, would be able to react faster to a crisis and could make decisions about new blood-borne diseases more publicly with a clear appraisal of the risk and benefits made on record. The model the reporting team proposes would give equal voice to all those involved in the blood system, including the public. "Study Says Crack Addicts Selling Sex for Drugs Are Spreading AIDS Virus" Washington Post (11/24/94) P. A24 Researchers examining drug use in New York, Miami, and San Francisco have found that crack cocaine is helping to spread HIV to heterosexuals in poor, inner-city communities. Desperate for a new "hit," crack addicts are selling sex in exchange for drugs or money. The result is that HIV is spreading through the communities, particularly among women. "Among the participants in New York and Miami, HIV infection was 2.3 times more prevalent among crack smokers than among non-smokers," found the researchers--led by Brian R. Edlin of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study concluded that unless effective interventions are made, "crack use is likely to result in continued heterosexual transmission of HIV, catalyzing the spread of the epidemic from men who have sex with men and injection-drug users to the heterosexual population." "Invitation to Fight AIDS" Washington Post (Home) (11/24/94) P. 5; Ross, Nancy L. For the first time, the public will be invited to the Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS' (DIFFA) winter benefit to be held Dec. 1-3. The effort is an attempt to broaden DIFFA's base of contributors. During the past decade, DIFFA has raised over $19 million nationwide for AIDS research and treatment. Two benefits in 1988 and 1991 together raised nearly $2 million. DIFFA Executive Director Rosemary Kuropat said that times, however, have changed and that AIDS is "less fashionable than it once was" as a charitable cause. "When Parents Are Dying" Governing (11/94) Vol. 8, No. 2, P. 16; Perlman, Ellen Many states and the federal government have begun exploring "standby" guardianship. By the time parents make plans for their children, it's often too late and "the state has to step in and make a decision," says Terry Zealand, head of the AIDS Resource Foundation for Children. A 1992 New York state law allows a parent to designate a standby guardian who serves if the parent is mentally or physically incapacitated. The guardian becomes permanent if the parent dies, but if the parent's health improves, he withdraws until needed again. California, Illinois, and Florida have similar laws. Advocates say that the laws are not perfect and note that some require a physician to decide that a parent has less than two years left to live before a standby can be chosen. Another problem is defining when a parent should be considered incapacitated. It is estimated that by the end of the century, between 72,000 and 125,000 children and adolescents in the United States will have lost their mothers to AIDS--frequently after long illnesses. "December 1 is World AIDS Day" Wholesale Drugs Magazine (11/94-12/94) Vol. 46, No. 11, P. 26 At 7:45 p.m. on Dec. 1, the White House will dim its lights for 15 minutes in observance of World AIDS Day and in tribute to those who are affected by HIV and AIDS. The theme of World AIDS Day this year is "AIDS and Families: Protect and Care For the Ones We Love." The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 4 million cases of AIDS have occurred worldwide. "Is My Cat a Danger to My Health?" Advocate (11/15/94) No. 668, P. 43; Cohan, Gary R. While pets are a good choice for emotional and spiritual support, they do pose a serious health risk to HIV-infected people. The risks, however, can be decreased through a few precautions in the routine care of the cat. Toxoplasmosis, the most serious hazard, is an infection of the brain with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which is often carried as an egg in cat feces or raw meat. Symptoms of infection include confusion, visual and neurological disturbances, and often seizures. People with compromised immune systems should simply avoid contact with anything that is potentially in contact with cat feces--such as a litter box--or wear disposable gloves when handling these materials. Another significant concern is a bacterial infection called cat scratch disease that comes from cat scratches or bites. The infection may cause enlarged lymph nodes, weight loss, and multiple painful bright red nodular skin lesions. Any scratch or bite should be reported immediately so antibiotics such as erythromycin and doxycycline can be prescribed. Pets Are Wonderful Support is a national organization that offers physical assistance and financial support to AIDS patients who have problems caring for their pets, but still benefit from their companionship.