Subj : News Update 23 June 1/2 To : ALL From : PAUL BUSBY Date : Fri Jun 23 2000 04:27 am CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update Wednesday, June 23, 1999 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. HEADLINES PEER-REVIEWED JOURNALS "Variations in the Care of HIV-Infected Adults in the United States" GENERAL MEDIA "Health Ministry to Issue Warning Over TB Outbreak" "UN Calls for Boosting AIDS Protection for Women" "Breakthrough Offers New Hope for AIDS Vaccine" "World Bank Behind Drive to Develop Cheap AIDS Vaccine for the Poor" "AIDS Activists Meet White House Aide on Africa" "Cancer Vaccine Breakthrough Raises Hopes" "The Field of Vaccine Candidates" *************************************************************** PEER-REVIEWED JOURNALS *************************************************************** "Variations in the Care of HIV-Infected Adults in the United States" Journal of the American Medical Association Online (06/23/99-06/30/99) Vol. 281, P. 2305; Shapiro; Martin F.; Morton, Sally C.; McCaffrey, Daniel F.; et al. A study conducted by the HIV Cost and Services Utilization Consortium has found that access to care for those with HIV has improved since 1996, but it remains sub-optimal. The cohort study followed 2,864 respondents between 1996 and 1998. Specifically, inferior patterns of care were observed for African Americans and Hispanics compared to whites, the uninsured and Medicaid-insured compared to those who have private insurance, women compared with men, and other risk and/or exposure groups versus men who had sex with men. The study measured outcomes through service utilization, ambulatory visits, at least one emergency department visit (not resulting in hospitalization), at least one hospitalization, and receipt of antiretroviral therapy. The researchers recommend careful review of HIV treatment policies, so that neglected groups receive better care. **************************************************************** GENERAL MEDIA **************************************************************** "Health Ministry to Issue Warning Over TB Outbreak" Daily Yomiuri Online (06/23/99) The Japanese Health and Welfare Ministry is implementing new programs to fight the spread of tuberculosis, especially among the elderly. The number of TB patients between 1992 and 1996 remained stable at 40,000; However, the number escalated to 42,715 in 1997--the first year-on-year increase in 38 years. Most new tuberculosis cases occurred in those 60 years of age and older, due to waning physical strength. The Health and Welfare Ministry is issuing a "state of emergency" declaration about TB and launching pilot programs for distributing preventative drugs to elderly people at high risk for contracting the disease. The ministry will also produce guidelines for hospitals treating tuberculosis patients, establish databases of countermeasures against tuberculosis in local prefectures, and create facilities to deal with drug-resistant tuberculosis. Japan hopes to eliminate tuberculosis in infants by 2000, and in adults by the 2030s. "UN Calls for Boosting AIDS Protection for Women" Reuters (06/22/99) UNAIDS officials are calling for more aggressive research into anti-HIV microbicidal gels for women. The agency said Tuesday that it has sponsored clinical trials of an anti-HIV microbicide in Benin, Ivory Coast, South Africa, and Thailand since 1996, with little success according to early findings. However, independent experts reviewing the trial have advised continuing the study, which includes about 2,000 women at high risk of HIV infection. UNAIDS noted that 23 microbicides are now in testing for use against AIDS. "Breakthrough Offers New Hope for AIDS Vaccine" Nando Times Online (06/22/99) An international team of researchers has found a link between HIV and key proteins the virus uses to attack cells, and they have developed a vaccine based on their discovery. HIV requires receptors, including the CD4 receptor and CCR5 proteins, for access into cells. Tests revealed a very close link between CCR5 and CD4 but not between other proteins and receptors involved in HIV's infection process. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, notes that previous research suggests that those with naturally defective CCR5 genes can resist HIV infection. "World Bank Behind Drive to Develop Cheap AIDS Vaccine for the Poor" Sydney Morning Herald Online (06/22/99); Elliot, Larry The World Bank is proffering a US$5 billion package to pharmaceutical companies willing to help develop a cheap HIV vaccine for those in the developing world. The offer underscores the bank's belief that HIV is a serious threat to efforts to eliminating world poverty. Many pharmaceutical companies have balked at developing a cheap AIDS vaccine, fearing they would not recoup their losses from developing world customers. Currently, there are 33 million people living with HIV, 90 percent of whom are in developing nations. "AIDS Activists Meet White House Aide on Africa" Reuters (06/23/99) AIDS activists met with White House AIDS Policy Director Sandra Thurman on Tuesday to discuss strategies for fighting the AIDS epidemic in Africa. The activists said they were pleased the White House listened to their concerns, and they planned to meet again next week. However, activist Eric Sawyer said AIDS groups would continue to protest Vice President Al Gore's position on a drug trade disagreement involving South Africa. "Cancer Vaccine Breakthrough Raises Hopes" PA News (06/23/99); Linden, Mary A new vaccine against cervical cancer could provide immunity against human papillomavirus, which is responsible for 95 percent of cervical cancers in women. The current vaccine, being developed at the Medical College of Georgia, not only serves as a prophylaxis against HPV, it also appears to kill the virus in some who are recently infected. Despite the promising results, experts note that the vaccine is still experimental and it could be many years before a vaccine is widely available. The experts urged women not to abandon cervical cancer screening, which has significantly reduced the death rate from the cancer in Great Britain. >>> Continued to next message --- þ wcQWK 5.00 ÷ * Origin: "THE WORLD BEYOND" - Leaving the Others Behind!! (1:250/502) .