                     AIDS Daily Summary 
                        May 24, 1994


The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National AIDS
Clearinghouse makes available the following information as a public
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Copyright 1994, Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD


"AIDS Nursing Home Gets a Touch of Relief"
Philadelphia Inquirer (05/24/94) P. B1;  Collins, Huntly;  
Kaufman, Marc
     City and state officials yesterday announced a reprieve for 
Betak, Philadelphia's only nursing home specifically for AIDS 
patients.  The facility has been struggling for its financial 
life since opening in January 1992.  The latest financial crisis 
was triggered when a consortium of three hospitals announced that
it could no longer subsidize Betak after July 1.  Betak's board 
subsequently voted to close down and transfer patients to other 
nursing homes, hospitals, and homeless shelters.  The reprieve 
granted yesterday means that the 36 critically ill patients will 
not have to be moved--at least for now.  City Health Commissioner
Estelle Richman and officials from Lutheran Homes, which owns 
Betak, came up with a plan that instructs Betak to find a way to 
meet its June payroll.  Meanwhile, the city will send in a 
consultant to assess the facility's financial troubles, and 
propose a long-term solution.  Hopefully, the city can come up 
with the necessary funds to plug a $768,000 shortfall in the 
nursing home's $2.8 million annual budget, said Richman.  In 
light of the uncertain future of Betak, six activists began a 
fast to protest the facility's threatened closing.
      
"A Novel Technique Fights AIDS Virus From Inside Cells"
Philadelphia Inquirer (05/24/94) P. A2;  Collins, Huntly
     Using a novel technique of gene therapy, researchers at Thomas 
Jefferson University have discovered how to virtually halt HIV's 
multiplication inside human cells.  While antibodies usually 
prevent infection by binding to viruses outside of cells, this 
new method involves creating genetically-engineered antibodies 
that fight the disease inside infected cells.  The Jefferson 
scientists targeted one of 10 known HIV genes called the Rev, 
which directs production of a protein that is essential for the 
virus to multiply in human cells.  The researchers induced mice 
to produce the antibody to the Rev protein, then cloned the gene 
responsible for producing that antibody.  They created a fragment
of the gene by clipping out the two tips of the Y-shaped antibody
and linking them together with another molecule.  The synthetic 
gene fragment was then inserted into human cells, which were 
exposed to massive amounts of HIV.  Although the cells became 
infected, viral reproduction was maintained at dramatically low 
levels, according to the researchers.  Dr. Roger J. Pomerantz, 
head of the study, said he expects to seek federal approval this 
summer to test this novel approach in human subjects.  If 
approved, a small safety trial could begin later this year.
      
"Red Tape Blocking Occupancy"
Richmond Times-Dispatch (05/23/94) P. B1;  Billingsley, Anna 
Barron
     Two homes built by the Richmond AIDS Ministry to house AIDS 
patients have been completed since last month, but occupancy has 
been delayed by red tape--which has become even stickier due to 
nearby homeowners who oppose the AIDS residences.  "There's a 
very painful side to this," says Harry Davis, RAM's director of 
development.  "There are people who have been waiting and 
hoping--and even living--for this place to open.  And they're not
going to make it."  Although the Forest Hill-Bliley Road 
Neighborhood Association was unsuccessful in halting construction
of the homes, which each accommodate eight patients, it has been 
key in derailing legislation that would have paved the way for 
the homes to be granted a licensing exemption.  Despite the 
regulatory delays and the month-long deadlock with the 
neighborhood association, one resident will move this week into 
the home located on Bliley Road; the home on Cherokee Road will 
remain unoccupied for now.  According to John Baumann, executive 
director at RAM, there is a waiting list of more than 30 AIDS 
patients, and no other organization in Richmond provides such 
housing.  "Everybody--even disabled people--has a right to be in 
a home in a neighborhood among friends," he said.  "They don't 
have to banished to an institution."  Those opposed say they are 
not against providing housing for AIDS patients, they just don't 
think such housing should be located in their neighborhoods.  
Their contention is that the homes are hospices; therefore, they 
should be held to more stringent licensing and zoning 
requirements.
      
"Scientists Recommend New AIDS Drug"
Baltimore Sun (05/21/94) P. 11A
     An advisory committee to the Food and Drug Administration last 
week recommended that the government approve a new drug to treat 
HIV, but with strong warnings that doctors still do not know 
enough about the medicine to say who should take it.  The panel 
of scientists said that Stavudine, or d4T, probably has some 
benefit over the three existing AIDS drugs, but could not say 
precisely who would benefit, how safe the drug is, or whether the
manufacturer is on the right track to answer these and other 
questions.  The drug seems to help boost the immunity of HIV 
patients while creating fewer side effects than other drugs, 
according to Bristol-Myers Squibb.  The company requested FDA 
approval of d4T for AIDS patients who cannot tolerate AZT, ddI, 
or ddC because of their serious side effects.  The FDA has not 
said when it will make a decision regarding d4T.  Related Story: 
Boston Globe (05/21) P. 10
      
"New AIDS Treatment Acts on 'Resting' Cells--Researcher"
Reuters (05/21/94)
     A new HIV treatment unveiled this week is more promising than 
previous ones because it acts on inactive or "resting" cells, 
according to Dr. Jorge Vila, the doctor leading the researcher.  
"Antiviral drugs like AZT ... are not as efficient in humans as 
they are 'in vitro,'" Vila told local Argentine newspaper Pagina 
12.  "We believe that this is because the cells on which they are
tested are active."  In humans, 95 percent of the cells affected 
by HIV are "resting" ones, he said.  A team of researchers headed
by Vila reported last week that test-tube experiments with a 
combination of a new drug, DAH, and ddI, eliminated HIV from 
"resting" lymphocyte blood cells.  The research may point toward 
an effective new treatment for the 14 million HIV-infected people
around the globe.
      
"Swiss Red Cross Hit by AIDS Blood Scandal"
Richmond Times-Dispatch (05/23/94) P. A4
     The Swiss Red Cross has become caught up in a scandal over its 
use of HIV-contaminated blood supplies.  Charges of grievous 
bodily harm were filed earlier this month against Alfred Haessig,
the 73-year-old former director of the agency's central 
laboratory.  Haessig is accused of allowing the use of infected 
blood products even after testing procedures became available in 
the mid-1980s.  Other health officials may face charges as 
attorneys for infected hemophiliacs and their families seek 
compensation.
      
"People"
United Press International (05/23/94);  Kuklenski, Valerie
     Superstar Barbra Streisand this fall will direct and star in 
Larry Kramer's film adaptation of his award-winning AIDS play, 
"The Normal Heart."  Streisand will portray Linda Laubenstein, 
the first doctor on the front lines of AIDS treatment in New 
York, according to Kramer.  "The Normal Heart" debuted in 1985.  
It was recorded during an April 1993 benefit reading for a two-CD
set release.  The recording features an all-star cast, including 
Eric Bogosian, Stockard Channing, Harry Hamlin, Kevin Bacon, and 
John Turturro.  Kramer's royalties, as well as those of the 
actors, will go to the charity Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
      
"Time to Quit Dodging AIDS Crisis and Start Confronting It 
Directly"
Nation's Restaurant (05/02/94) Vol. 28, No. 18, P. 39;  Van 
Warner, Rick
     The very nature of the foodservice industry places it in a 
precarious position regarding HIV-positive 
employees--particularly when management ignores the situation.  
Fear-stoked rumors and whispered misinformation cause tension and
confusion disruptive to the teamwork and energy needed to operate
a well-run restaurant.  The infected employee may experience 
intentional and/or subconscious persecution by co-workers.  To 
ignore the many daily realities of having an HIV-infected 
employee is a mistake, and to do so is an invitation to 
AIDS-discrimination litigation.  The solutions are not simple, 
but they begin with education and awareness.  Restaurants and 
other operations must do more to confront the AIDS crisis 
head-on.  This need to educate employees and raise awareness 
within the organization leads back to the primary reason 
operators don't: they fear potential stigma with customers.  
Awareness, however, needs to be heightened not only among 
employees but among customers.  Reducing fear outside the 
restaurant is essential because rumors, fears, and misinformation
that circulate within are sure to spread outside as well.
      
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