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. Contact the sources of the articles abstracted below for full texts of the articles.
Annals of Internal Medicine Online
(www.acponline.org/journals/annals) (03/07/00) Vol. 132, P. 369;
Diaz, Philip T.; King, Mark A.; Pacht, Eric R.; et al.
A recent study from Ohio State University sought to evaluate the
risk for emphysema in a group of HIV-positive patients who did
not have AIDS-related pulmonary complications. One
hundred-fourteen HIV-infected individuals were compared to a
group of 44 HIV-negative controls matched for smoking history and
age. Previous studies have suggested that HIV-positive people
may develop lung problems faster than others, and smoking is
known factor contributing to emphysema. High-resolution computed
tomography of the chest was used to determine if emphysema was
present. Emphysema was detected in 17 of the 114 HIV-positive
subjects, versus only one of the HIV-negative individuals. The
researchers suggest that HIV infection seems to directly
accelerate the process of smoking-induced parenchymal lung
damage. The authors also note that few of the patients received
antiretroviral therapy, which was not widely available at the time.
New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (03/29/00) P. A21
Births in the United States rose 2 percent in 1998, according
to new statistics from the National Center for Health Statistics
at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Births to
unmarried mothers reached a record high, but researchers
attribute the increase to single women in their 20s and 30s, not
teenagers. According to the report, there were 3.94 million
births in 1998, the first increase seen since 1990. The number
of births fell between 1990 and 1997, as more reliable
contraceptives became more available and there was an increased
emphasis on abstinence and the risk of AIDS.
"Clinton Proposes Adding $253 Million to 2000 Budget"
Reuters (03/28/00)
President Clinton is asking for an additional $253 million for
fiscal year 2000, with supplemental requests for HIV-infected
hemophiliacs and aviation safety, among others. The supplemental
budget request, which was sent to Congress on Tuesday, includes
an appeal for $100 million for hemophiliacs who contracted HIV
from tainted blood products between 1982 and 1987. The White
House noted that the fund would boost 2000 budget allocations to
the Ricky Ray Hemophilia Relief Fund Act to $175 million.
"Firms Urge Incentives on Research"
Boston Globe Online (www.boston.com/globe) (03/29/00) P. A24;
Hsu, Karen
A vaccine research bill co-sponsored by Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.)
could be debated in the Senate this week. The vaccine measure
would offer tax incentives and would also establish a trust fund
for firms that successfully develop vaccines against some of the
world's deadliest diseases. But some biotech firms believe the
bill may not be enough to spur research into diseases like
malaria, AIDS, and tuberculosis. Alison Taunton-Rigby, president
and CEO of Aquila, notes that drug firms "want cash that can be
of direct benefit today," not payback after a vaccine is created.
Toronto Sun Online (www.canoe.ca/torontosun) (03/29/00); Lem,
Sharon
A study published in the April issue of Nature Medicine (2000;6)
describes a model developed by researchers at the University of
Pittsburgh that uses human tissue to copy the many-layered cells
found at the sites of sexual transmission of HIV in the vagina
and outer cervix. The tissue structure will help in the
understanding of how women contract HIV, possibly leading to new
strategies for fighting the virus. The new model will help
scientists to identify which cells become infected first and also
to observe how these cells interact.
Reuters (03/28/00)
A $38,000 HIV prevention campaign using warning cards that depict
sexual activities, drug use, and tattooing has been ruled too
explicit by Public Security officials in Quebec. The cards,
which feature cartoon characters engaged in risky activities,
were intended to warn inmates in Quebec about the dangers of
unsafe sex and sharing needles. The health ministry noted,
however, that other means could be used to warn prisoners about
HIV. Alain Vezina, a spokesman for the health ministry, said
that 5 percent of Quebec prisoners have HIV, while 38 percent of
male prisoners and 25 percent of female prisoners regularly use
intravenous drugs.
Reuters Health Information Services (03/28/00)
A new report in the American Journal of Psychiatry
(2000;157:248-254) indicates that HIV-infected individuals who
are also depressed or anxious have a reduced quality of life
compared to HIV patients without psychiatric conditions. The
study tested more than 2,800 HIV-positive patients for conditions
such as major depression, anxiety, panic, heavy drinking, drug
use, and quality of life. A correlation was found between
marijuana, cocaine, heroin, or other drug use and a diminished
quality of life and a comorbid mood disorder. The researchers
suggest that trained mental health professionals can help
identify and treat such conditions and improve the quality of
life for people with HIV.
Reuters Health Information Services (03/28/00)
Dr. David Schwartz of Johns Hopkins University and a multicenter
team have developed an in vitro assay that measures personal
protection against HIV-1 infection. The research, published in
the March issue of the Journal of Infectious Diseases
(2000;181:897-903), may be helpful in studying vaccine-induced
immunity in AIDS vaccine trials. The scientists took peripheral
blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from eight different populations
and cultured them in vitro and stimulated to make them
susceptible to test tube infection with HIV. The authors note
that PBMCs from both groups of HIV-1-infected patients with low
viremia, exposed uninfected patients, and HIV-2-infected
individuals indicated considerable resistance to infection upon
challenge.