The CDC National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention provides the following information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis does not constitute CDC endorsement. This daily update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets, press releases, and announcements. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update should be cited as the source of the information.
Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (12/99) Vol.
10, No. 6, P. 66; Fogel, Catherine Ingram; Belyea, Michael
A study of 57 newly incarcerated women in a medium-to-maximum
security prison in the rural South reveals that 90 percent had
experienced violence from their partners. More than 10 percent
of the women had three or more current sexual partners, and 72
percent reported having unprotected sex during every encounter
within the previous month. High levels of substance abuse were
also reported. About 97 percent of the women reported having had
sex with an intravenous drug user at least once. The findings
show that women in the prison are at high risk for HIV infection,
especially because condom use is very low. Also, more than half
of the women thought they had little or no risk for HIV or other
sexually transmitted diseases. The women remain at risk after
leaving prison, with limited prevention programs providing only
minimal information.
Washington Post (01/21/00) P. A10; Brown, David
A team of researchers, led by Franco Lori and Julianna Lisziewicz
of Georgetown University, has found that intermittently stopping
triple-drug therapy boosted the immune systems of two HIV
patients studied. The findings, which are published in The
Lancet, suggest that taking breaks from drug treatment may
actually benefit those with HIV or AIDS. Recent studies have
shown that daily doses of antiviral drugs keep the virus at
undetectable levels in the blood in most HIV-infected
individuals; however, Lori and Lisziewicz suggest that by
stopping treatment, the body is able to fight back against the
virus. The study followed three HIV patients who were recently
infected. One patient was able to control the virus for longer
and longer periods after each therapy interruption; the last time
he stopped treatment, he was able to go 150 days before starting
again. The researchers warn, however, that further trials are
needed, and patients and doctors should not attempt to replicate
this or other similar research until more is known.
"Groups Join to Criticize Ruling on HIV Inmates"
Birmingham News Online (01/21/00); Brumas, Michael
Several AIDS activists and gay organizations are criticizing a
recent Supreme Court ruling that supports Alabama's segregation
of HIV-positive inmates. The original Circuit Court of Appeals
ruling and the High Court's refusal to hear an appeal allow
prisoners in Alabama to be excluded from educational and
recreational activities since they pose a risk of HIV
transmission to others. The Supreme Court last year asked the
Clinton administration's opinion on the matter, and U.S.
Solicitor General Seth Waxman said the 11th Circuit ruling should
stand. A statement signed by several groups, including AIDS
Alabama and the American Civil Liberties Union's National Prison
Project, asserts that "their recommendation upholds
stigmatization of people with HIV and sets a precedent for an
unnecessary and unfair double standard regarding HIV-positive
prisoners."
Reuters Health Information Services (01/20/00); Rostler, Suzanne
The first national human papillomavirus (HPV) hotline is now
available to counsel and refer individuals with questions or
anxiety regarding the sexually transmitted disease. HPV is the
most common cause of cervical cancer, which can be detected
through the Pap test and is treatable if caught in time.
According to the American Social Health Association, which
launched the hotline, 5.5 million cases of HPV are detected each
year. Trained counselors at the toll-free service, which can be
reached at (877) HPV-5868, are available from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Eastern Standard Time Monday through Friday.
Reuters (01/20/00)
A recent survey of 163 young people in Britain indicates that
young people lack information about sexually transmitted diseases
(STDs) and their consequences. Few of the respondents, whose
average age was 26, knew much about STDs like gonorrhea and
chlamydia. Specifically, less than half of the men and women
knew about chlamydia, and many also could not answer questions
regarding fertility. The study, conducted by Dr. Brian Clark of
University College in London, is published in the journal
Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Reuters Health Information Services (01/20/00)
Two recent studies show that the AIDS epidemic has caused
increased incidence of cancer in sub-Saharan Africa, with trends
in Uganda and Zimbabwe showing more cases of Kaposi's sarcoma
(KS), squamous cell carcinomas of the conjunctiva, and
non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Dr. D. Maxwell Parkin of the
International Agency for Research on Cancer in France found that
the incidence of KS in Uganda has increased significantly since
the 1960s and been stable since 1990s. Meanwhile, Dr. Eric
Chokunonga of Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare found that KS rates
doubled in men and women from 1990 to 1995, and there was a
dramatic increase in squamous cell tumors of the conjunctiva.
The studies, both published in the journal AIDS
(1999;13:2563-2570, 2583-2590), reveal the primary HIV-related
cancers in Africa.
Detroit Free Press Online (01/21/00)
New HIV treatments are allowing infected children to live longer
lives. Statistics show that whereas as many as three children
with AIDS died per week at Children's Hospital of Michigan in
Detroit five years ago, only one about child dies per year now.
Children's Hospital employs social workers and psychologists to
help its young patients, aiding them with such issues as school
and dating as they grow older. According to statistics, there
are more than 100 children 12 years of age and younger living
with HIV or AIDS in Michigan.
"Going the Extra Mile for Children in Need"
Washington Post (01/21/00) P. C11; Mann, Judy
Georgetown University students Thor Cheston and Stephen Sobhani
began volunteering to help children with HIV/AIDS in December
1998 at a hospital Christmas party. After the party, they
decided to do more to help children in the HIV/AIDS pediatric
unit, and decided to raise money for it by biking across the
country. The bike ride, called "It's for the Kids," now has a
Web site and the backing of the department of pediatrics, along
with the support of the National AIDS Policy director. The
students also began pen-pal programs and other activities that
bring college students and HIV-infected children together. The
Georgetown basketball team has also volunteered its time and free
tickets for kids to go to games. In all, 12 Georgetown students
will make the bike ride from San Francisco to D.C., hoping to
raise $100,000 for Metro Teen AIDS, Grandma's House, and
Georgetown's pediatric infectious disease unit.
Infectious Diseases in Children (12/99) Vol. 12, No. 12, P. 22;
Rosenthal, Marie
At the end of 1999, global estimates for AIDS rates were not a
positive indication for the future. New statistics from UNAIDS
and the World Health Organization show that the number of AIDS
deaths reached 2.6 million this year, the highest total since the
epidemic began. Nearly all the infections and deaths occurred in
the developing world, primarily among young adults. About 50
percent of those who contract HIV are infected before age 25, and
African girls between the ages of 15 and 19 are at least five
times more likely to have HIV than boys the same age. HIV is
also leaving behind thousands of orphans whose parents have died
from the disease. The former Soviet Union has seen a sharp
increase in cases, caused mainly by intravenous drug use with
infected needles. In India and China, AIDS is becoming a more
serious concern, as an increasing number of women and commercial
sex workers become infected. There are an estimated 4 million
prostitutes in China, and surveys show that only half have ever
used a condom. Thailand has seen improvement through a HIV
prevention program, though, and the Philippines' testing of
registered sex workers is also helping to contain the spread of
the deadly virus.
Washington Times (11/27/99) P. A2; Wetzstein, Cheryl
A recent survey of girls participating in the Best Friends
abstinence program found that 97 percent of more than 2,600 girls
did not have sex during the 1998-1999 school year. National
studies show that 48 percent of high school students have had
sex. The Best Friends programs teaches girls in 26 cities, the
District of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands about self-respect
and success, using a holistic approach. According to the report,
girls in the program are less likely to have sex, drink alcohol,
become pregnant, or use drugs. Founded in 1987, the program uses
classroom time, dance and exercise classes, and meetings with
mentors to help teens reach their goals.
New York Times (11/25/99) P. A14; Swarns, Rachel L.
Officials in South Africa have raised concerns that the AIDS drug
AZT may be toxic and could cause cancer. Health Minister Manto
Tshabalala-Msimang recently announced her suspicions in a speech
to the National Assembly. Doctors are protesting the statements,
hoping that the drug will not be banned in a country with one of
the highest HIV infection rates in the world. While others have
raised safety questions about AZT, the U.S. National Institutes
of Health concluded in 1997 that the drug's benefits are much
greater than any possible side effects. Physicians, AIDS
advocates, and officials at Glaxo Wellcome, which manufactures
AZT, have called on the South African government to review
scientific literature about the drug; however, even while the
government has agreed to conduct such a review,
Tshabalala-Msimang said that AZT is still too costly. The South
African government is researching a new AIDS drug called
nevirapine, which is much less expensive than AZT.
PA News (11/28/99); Raven, Nell
Some AIDS prevention programs in Britain are being stopped as
funding for expensive drugs increases, according to Dr. George
Kinghorn of the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield.
Kinghorn has been forced to reduce his workforce by 5 percent as
the demand for costly drugs grows. He fears the lack of
prevention programs will cause an increase in sexually
transmitted diseases, including HIV. Kinghorn also noted that
reducing support for AIDS patients taking antiretroviral drugs
means that it is less likely that they will follow their
medication regimen correctly, possibly developing resistance as a
result.
"Where $609 Billion in Federal Spending Will Go: HHS"
Washington Post (11/26/99) P. A43; Eilperin, Juliet
Congress has reached a plan for federal spending, with $4.65
billion allocated for the Department of Health and Human
Services. The National Institutes of Health received a 15
percent budget increase, to $17.9 billion, including a $3 billion
delay to keep the Social Security surplus. The plan also
includes $1.6 billion for Ryan White AIDS programs and $3 billion
for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
USA Today (11/26/99) P. 10A
In Illinois, fewer people died from AIDS in 1998 than any year in
the last decade. The falling number of deaths is slowing,
though. There was a 52 percent decrease in deaths for 1997, but
only a 10 percent decline last year.
Reuters Health Information Services (11/26/99)
Findings published by Taiwanese researchers in the Journal of
Medical Virology show that hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination is
safe and effective in individuals with chronic hepatitis C virus
(HCV) infection. Three groups of patients were studied: patients
with chronic HCV who received the vaccine, patients with chronic
HCV who did not receive the vaccine, and healthy subjects who
were vaccinated against HBC. According to the report, nearly
two-thirds of those with chronic hepatitis C gained effective
immunity to HBV. Researchers found the vaccination as safe for
HCV patients as it was for healthy patients.
Reuters (11/25/99)
HIV cases in Vietnam are rising, as 16,175 people have been
recorded as having the virus. Figures from the Vietnam News
Agency show that 2,907 people have full-blown AIDS. Widespread
prostitution and drug use are two factors cited in the spread of
HIV in the country.
Reuters (11/24/99); Sithole, Emelia
South Africa's deputy Minerals and Energy Minister, Susan
Shabangu, recently reported that about 45 percent of mine workers
in the country are infected with HIV. A high incidence of
tuberculosis is also a problem. Shabangu asked that mining firms
set up safe sex education at their mines to reduce the spread of
HIV. The AIDS epidemic could kill up to 10 percent of the miners
per year, according to a report presented recently at a mining seminar.
AIDS Alert (11/99) Vol. 14, No. 11, P. 129
A recent study of 7.000 AIDS patients admitted to one of 333
hospitals in California shows that AIDS mortality at hospitals
with more experience in treating HIV/AIDS was 30 percent lower
than the rate at the least experienced hospitals. The study also
found that public hospitals had higher death rates than
for-profit and nonprofit hospitals. The California researchers
believe that consistent provider education needs to take place in
order to give equal treatment.