AIDS Daily Summary July 22, 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 "World in Brief: France to Offer Syringes in a Policy Shift Over AIDS" Philadelphia Inquirer (07/22/94) P. A12 French Health Minister Simone Veil announced a $13 million package in which the normally conservative government plans to expand the availability of clean syringes to intravenous drug users. Beginning Sept. 15, state-subsidized prevention kits--including clean syringes, disinfectant pads, sterile water, and a condom--will be sold in French pharmacies for 5 francs, or less than $1. France has more than 200,000 HIV cases--more than any other European nation--with IV drug addicts accounting for approximately 150,000 of those cases. According to Veil, 25 to 30 percent of the country's heroin addicts have contracted HIV through the use of unclean needles. Related Story: Washington Times (07/22) P. A17 "Sessions on AIDS" Washington Post (07/22/94) P. B2; Causey, Mike In response to complaints from a number of employees, the Office of Personnel Management will inform instructors of required "HIV/AID at Work" seminars to "stick to the training script," and avoid personal references. The seminars are being held in compliance with a White House directive that all federal agencies educate civil servants in practicing safe sex, dealing with AIDS on the job, and showing compassion to infected employees or customers. But some workers protested that the teaching techniques move beyond sensitivity and safety. Some employees have complained about a particular instructor who likes to use personal examples. Others viewed the safe-sex instruction as a private matter of no concern to their employer, and still others objected to what they regarded as a waste of three hours. Several employees who have already attended seminars, however, said the training was educational and helpful. "U.S. Firm Invests in Hungary AIDS Drug" United Press International (07/21/94); Laszlo, Erika Biopharmaceutics of Bellport, a New York-based drug and cosmetics firm, invested $5 million to support further research into KKKI-538 compound, an anti-HIV drug designed by a Hungarian research group. According to the Hungarian news agency MTI-Econews, scientists at the Hungarian Central Chemical Research Institute and the Budapest Semmelweiss Medical University needed about $2 million for an initial investigation of the drug. Under the deal, Biopharmaceutics will assess preliminary results before deciding whether to continue its financial support of the project. Sales profits, it was agreed, would be split evenly between the two partners. "Lesbians Safe From AIDS Transmission, Report Says" Reuters (07/21/94) Lesbian couples involved in steady relationships appear to be safe from HIV infection even if they participate in risky sexual practices, say researchers at Turin University in Italy. A six-month study of 18 HIV-discordant couples found that various types of oral and anal lesbian intercourse did not transmit HIV. Most of the women engaged in risky sexual practices that could have allowed the exchange of infected bodily fluids--including orogenital stimulation, anal manipulation, sex during menstruation, and sharing of sex toys. Yet, there was no evidence of female-to-female transmission. Most of the HIV-infected women in the study were thought to have contracted the virus through injection drug use. Larger and longer studies are needed to confirm the results, said Dr. R. Raiteri, one of the Italian researchers. "AIDS Programmes Cut Infection by Prostitution" Reuters (07/21/94) The spread of sexually transmitted diseases in Thailand and Zaire has been checked through the establishment of AIDS programs that provide prostitutes with condoms and medical examinations. Two studies appearing in the Lancet medical journal reported that infection rates among Thai and Zairean commercial sex workers declined after the prostitutes were urged to visit clinics offering protection against STDs--such as AIDS, syphilis, and gonorrhea. The program, which endorses a non-judgmental approach rather than a behavior-modification approach to AIDS prevention, could serve as a model for other countries, said researchers. "Wellcome Profits Rise, but Doctors Still Shun AZT" Reuters (07/21/94) Wellcome PLC's pretax profits for the 10-month period from September through June increased 12 percent to $841.7 million on sales of $2.73 billion. The British company noted that its herpes drug Zovirax was demonstrating "impressive growth," while use of its anti-AIDS treatment Retrovir, or AZT, was declining. Sales of Zovirax were up 15 percent, to $1.06 billion, while sales of AZT were down 16 percent to $265.1 million. Wellcome attributed the downward slide in AZT sales to an Anglo-French study that questions the use of the drug in patients with HIV who have yet to show AIDS symptoms. "Medizone International and the Italian Society of Oxygen/Ozone Therapy to Test Medizone Patented Technology on 60 Patients Who Suffer From AIDS or Hepatitis B" Business Wire (07/20/94) Medizone International Inc. and its Italian partner, the Italian Scientific Society for Ozone Therapy, have begun the enrollment process for an upcoming clinical trial on the use of Medizone's patented technology to treat AIDS or hepatitis B. The treatment regimen involves withdrawal of patients' blood, which is interfaced with Medizone--an ozone-based treatment for diseases caused by lipid-enveloped viruses--and reinfusion into the body. Researchers will administer this procedure every other day for 12 weeks, then monitor the patients for three months after the treatment phase. "Unemployment Can Weaken Immune System--Researchers" Reuters (07/21/94) Unemployment may weaken the immune system and lower the body's ability to ward off infection, according to a study by researchers in New Zealand. The study, which compared working and unemployed meat factory workers, demonstrated significant changes in the proportions of cells that recognize and destroy invaders in the body. The researchers noted that similar transitions occur in the ratios of CD4 helper T-cells and CD8 suppresser T-cells of AIDS patients. "Kelly Offers Needle Exchange Bill to Council" Washington Blade (07/15/94) Vol. 25, No. 29, P. 27; van Hertum, Aras District of Columbia Mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly, admitting that the city's needle exchange program "has not brought about the desired result," on July 5 unveiled the Prevention and the Spread of the Human Deficiency Virus and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Amendment Act of 1993. The proposed legislation would remove criteria requiring program participants to undergo medical examination and enroll in a rehabilitation program. So far, only 58 individuals have enrolled in the program, Kelly said. "NCAP's Guide on Evaluating HIV/AIDS-Service Programs Available from CDC National AIDS Clearinghouse" It is one thing to operate a program, it is another to know whether it works. To help grantmakers and staff from HIV/AIDS programs, the National Community AIDS Partnership (NCAP) has published "Evaluating HIV/AIDS Prevention Programs in Community-Based Organizations." The 141-page publication focuses on how to select the most effective evaluation strategy for media-based programs, individual and group training, and information and referral programs. Copies of "Evaluating HIV/AIDS Prevention Programs in Community-Based Organizations", CDC NAC Inventory No. D576, are $9.50 each. Supplies are limited; orders are accepted by telephone, FAX, or mail. Call 1-800-458-5231 and select the publication orders option at the voice prompt. Deaf Access/TDD is available through 1-800-243-7012; FAX, 301-251-5343; or mail: CDC National AIDS Clearinghouse P.O. Box 6003 Rockville, MD 20849-6003