Seventh AIDS conference: mostly ''fine tuning''

Article Abstract:

A summary is presented of some high points of the recent meeting in Florence, Italy called ''Science challenging AIDS''. Although the rate of infection by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the agent that causes AIDS, has slowed in the US and Western Europe since the mid-1980s, it continues to climb in the developing world. Major insights into the disease were lacking at the meeting, but reports were presented of small, but potentially important, discoveries. Some of these involved identifying the places in the body where HIV ''hides'', which include tissues of the immune system and dendritic cells, a scarce type of white blood cell. One investigator reported success in immunizing monkeys against SIV (simian immunodeficiency virus, a virus similar to HIV that infects monkeys) using a genetically engineered vaccine. Another vaccine was also tested for safety in humans, with good results. Reports by Daniel Zagury, a French scientist, were greeted coolly by the scientists in Florence because of reports that three patients who received his HIV vaccine died; however, Zagury reported on a new vaccine that apparently caused an increase in the levels of CD4-positive T cells (the type of white blood cell most indicative of the severity of the disease) in six patients. Few potentially effective new drugs for treating HIV infection were described: one drug, R 82913, may interfere with the ability of the virus to replicate. Many researchers now believe that the rate of progress against AIDS is too slow to justify large annual meetings, and conferences will soon be held every other year instead. The 1992 meeting is to be in Boston, but organizers have said they will cancel it unless the US opens its immigration and travel policies to allow HIV-infected people to enter. The chairman of the 1992 conference is not hopeful that it will take place. The 1993 meeting is to be in Berlin; in 1994, the meeting is to be held in Japan. After that time, meetings will be held every other year. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, AIDS research, Zagury, Daniel

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Will AIDS conference migrate?

Article Abstract:

The 1992 International Conference on AIDS is scheduled to take place in Boston, but its location might be changed unless there is a revision of the United States immigration policy to allow people infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to enter the country. This change in policy may occur, but not necessarily by November 1, 1990, which is the deadline the conference planners have set. Infection with HIV has been placed on a list of dangerous, contagious diseases based on legislation introduced by Senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina. However, some feel that this is misleading, as HIV is not easily spread to others. The United States Centers for Disease Control says that travelers who are infected with HIV and are in the United States for short periods of time pose no risk to the health of the public. Organizations including the National Commission on AIDS, the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, the International Red Cross, the American Public Health Association, and many groups of AIDS activists feel that the law is counterproductive and discriminatory and that it should be repealed. However, Louis H. Sullivan, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, has not done anything to change the law. A bill was introduced in April 1989 which would make Sullivan review the list of diseases that are considered dangerous and contagious. However, it is unlikely that the bill will be ready to be voted on by Congress before November 1. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Laws, regulations and rules, HIV infection, HIV infections, Science and technology policy, Communicable diseases, Sullivan, Louis W.

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AIDS conference in Berlin offers plenty of hidden gems

Article Abstract:

About 800 oral presentations and 4500 posters will comprise the ninth International Conference of AIDS. Promising sessions are briefly discussed including those about topics such as gene therapy, natural protection, vaccines and convergent combination therapy.

1993 AD, International Conference on AIDS

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