                     AIDS Daily Summary 
                      February 2, 1995

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 1995, Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD


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"Combined AIDS Drug Therapy Shows Promise"
"AIDS Soars among Crack Users, Barely Registers in Much of U.S."
"Novel Anti-HIV Compound From ISIS Pharmaceuticals..."
"The Reliable Source"
"French Court Tells Benetton to Pay HIV Victims"
"Romania Wants Legal Brothels to Fight AIDS"
"Across the USA: Connecticut"
"Food Watch: AIDS and Comfort"
"Health Status and Function with Zidovudine or Zalcitabine as 
Initial Therapy for AIDS"
"HIV, Cancer, and Male Pap Smears"
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"Combined AIDS Drug Therapy Shows Promise"
Los Angeles Times--Washington Edition (02/02/95) P. A5;  Cimons, 
Marlene
     New studies presented on Wednesday at the Second National 
Conference on Human Retroviruses and Related Infections show that
an experimental new antiviral drug called 3TC, taken in 
combination with AZT, reduced AIDS infection and appeared to 
improve the immune systems of patients better than either drug 
taken alone.  Data presented on Tuesday showed that another class
of drugs, protease inhibitors, produced similar results.  The 
researchers studying the 3TC/AZT combination found marked 
decreases in virus levels in patients' blood and significant 
increases in CD4 lymphocytes.  The effects lasted at least six 
months, and longer in some patients.  The scientists, however, 
emphasized that it is too soon to know whether the data would 
translate into prolonged survival or fewer infections.  Other 
developments at the meeting include a progress report on AIDS 
vaccine development and a summation of a five-year pilot program 
of HIV-screening of pregnant women in Los Angeles County.  A 
total of 65 percent of the women found to be infected had no 
identified risks for infection with HIV--a finding that 
investigators said should strengthen the argument of offering the
test to all pregnant women, not just to those who engage in 
high-risk behavior.  Related Stories: New York Times (02/02) P. 
A19; Wall Street Journal (02/02) P. B2; Philadelphia Inquirer 
(02/02) P. A7; Washington Times (02/02) P. A7
      
"AIDS Soars among Crack Users, Barely Registers in Much of U.S."
Washington Times (02/02/95) P. A3
     Although the AIDS epidemic is sweeping out of control among crack
cocaine smokers in the poorest neighborhoods of the United 
States, it is barely perceptible across much of the nation, 
according to new studies.  Several reports presented at an AIDS 
meeting sponsored by the American Society for Microbiology 
illustrate the great differences in how the epidemic affects 
Americans' lives.  One study found that in New York City and 
Miami, 4 percent of the crack users are becoming HIV-infected 
each year.  This infection rate is "among the highest ever 
reported in the United States," said Dr. Brian R. Edlin of the 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Other data showed 
that only six-hundredths of 1 percent of people applying for 
insurance are infected.  HIV was most common in Washington, D.C.;
Puerto Rico; Florida; and New York state.  The findings suggest 
that AIDS has not made deep inroads into mainstream American 
life.  It does not, however, represent a true cross-section of 
infection because some people who suspect they are infected may 
refuse to give blood for testing.  HIV infections also appear to 
be decreasing among homosexuals and intravenous drug users.  In 
venereal disease clinics in New York City, for example, there was
a sharp decline among homosexual men.  While half the men seeking
treatment in 1988 were infected, only one-third in 1993 were.  
Related Story: Investor's Business Daily (02/02) P. A1
      
"Novel Anti-HIV Compound From ISIS Pharmaceuticals..."
PR Newswire (02/02/95)
     Isis Pharmaceuticals has announced that its new compound ISIS 
5320 appears to prevent HIV replication in the SCID-hu mouse 
model of infection.  The results were presented at the Second 
National Conference on Human Retroviruses and Related Infections.
Systemix Inc. conducted the trials, which were funded by the 
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.  SCID-hu 
mice are immunodeficient mice that have received human fetal 
liver and thymus tissue transplants.
      
"The Reliable Source"
Washington Post (02/02/95) P. C3;  Romano, Lois
     A public relations executive for Harlem Hospital in New York was 
fired this week after superiors learned from the evening news 
that, unbeknown to them, Princess Diana had visited their 
hospital's AIDS ward earlier in the day.
      
"French Court Tells Benetton to Pay HIV Victims"
Reuters (02/01/95)
     A Paris court on Wednesday ordered clothing giant Benetton to pay
damages to HIV patients over an advertising campaign that 
featured parts of the human body tattooed with the words "HIV 
positive."  Showing bare human flesh with inscriptions recalling 
AIDS "evoked Nazi barbarity or meat marking," the court ruled.  
It also said the theme of the campaign was an abuse of the 
freedom of expression and a "provocative exploitation of 
suffering."  Three HIV-infected individuals and an association of
AIDS protesters had sued the Italian clothier, arguing that the 
campaign was offensive to people with AIDS.  Lawyers for Benetton
and United Colours of Benetton Communication claimed the group 
was entitled to launch original advertising campaigns based on 
contemporary issues.  The court disagreed, ordering the group to 
pay $32,000 in damages, and warning that it could be made to pay 
$9,600 for each poster if the campaign continued.
      
"Romania Wants Legal Brothels to Fight AIDS"
Reuters (02/01/95);  Popescu, Karen
     In an attempt to ward off an expected late explosion of sexually 
transmitted AIDS, Romania is considering reopening brothels.  The
health ministry urged parliament to consider reinstating brothels
on a legal basis to help doctors' efforts to prevent the spread 
of AIDS among Romanian adults.  Health State Secretary Dan 
Georgescu said the number of new AIDS cases among adults had 
grown from the first five reported in 1985, to 59 new cases in 
1994.  Out of 1,965 AIDS patients, 93 percent are children under 
age 12, he said.  Georgescu said that brothels should be 
legalized because "these establishments can help to control not 
only the spread of AIDS but also venereal diseases, as we now 
have widespread prostitution, gone totally out of control."  The 
brothels were closed by Romania's communists when they seized 
power in the country after World War II.  Romania is also seeking
changes to the penal code to provide prison sentences of up to 
five years for people found guilty of deliberately transmitting 
HIV.
      
"Across the USA: Connecticut"
USA Today (02/01/95) P. 6A
     The city of Stamford, Conn., must decide whether or not to accept
an $85,000 grant for a needle-exchange program to stem the spread
of AIDS.  While opponents say it would encourage drug use, 
advocates say it would save lives.
      
"Food Watch: AIDS and Comfort"
Philadelphia Inquirer (02/01/95) P. F1;  Schogol, Marc
     On Thursday, the fifth annual "Dining Out for Life" program will 
be held.  This year's event, sponsored by ActionAIDS, is expected
to attract thousands of people throughout the Philadelphia area. 
Approximately 150 restaurants have agreed to donate a portion of 
the day's food bills to benefit local AIDS service groups.
      
"Health Status and Function with Zidovudine or Zalcitabine as 
Initial Therapy for AIDS"
Journal of the American Medical Association (01/25/95) Vol. 273, 
No. 4, P. 295;  Bozzette, Samuel A.;  Kanouse, David E.;  Berry, 
Sandra et al.
     Bozzette et al. conducted a study to evaluate the functional and 
health status implications of prescribing zalcitabine or 
zidovudine for initial AIDS therapy.  The participants in the 
Roche 3300/ACTG 114 Study Group were HIV-positive, had less than 
200 CD4 cells, and either a history or Pneumocystis carinii 
pneumonia or symptoms of HIV infection.  Those in the substudy 
received either 0.75 mg of zalcitabine every eight hours plus 
inactive capsules identical in appearance to zidovudine, or 200 
mg of zidovudine every four hours plus inactive tablets that 
resembled zalcitabine.  The patients who received zalcitabine 
were twice as likely to undergo an invasive procedure or be 
admitted to the hospital.  They also reported more than 40 
percent more symptoms that interfered with activity, more than 50
percent more disability days, a 7 percent lower employment rate, 
and a 35 percent lower monthly income.  Bozzette et al. concluded
that zidovudine has significant advantages over zalcitabine in 
initial monotherapy of AIDS in terms of functional outcomes, 
including symptom impact, disability, and work.  The information 
available from a clinical trial can be greatly improved by the 
inclusion of functional outcomes.
      
"HIV, Cancer, and Male Pap Smears"
Advocate (02/07/95) No. 674, P. 44;  Cohan, Gary R.
     In a breakthrough study of anal cancer in HIV-infected men, Dr. 
Joel Palefsky of the University of California at San Francisco, 
found that men who had a history of receptive anal intercourse 
were significantly more likely to develop anal cancer than men 
who did not.  The risk of anal cancer in men with AIDS was at 
least 40 times more than that of the general population.  There 
was a 68 percent increase in the incidence of anal cancer among 
all men in the population from 1973 to 1989.  Human papilloma 
virus--a very common wart virus--has been strongly implicated as 
the necessary factor for anal cancer development.  HIV-related 
immune suppression appears to incrementally magnify the risk.  
Some experts suggest that all men--both HIV-positive and 
HIV-negative--with a history of receptive anal intercourse or 
anal warts should be regularly screened for anal cancer or 
precancerous lesions.  If performed early enough and properly, 
the anal Papanicolaou (Pap) smear may be able to prevent cancer.
      
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