Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1997. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
 |
The San Francisco Examiner - Wednesday, Sept. 5, 1997 - Page A 4
Lisa M. Krieger of the Examiner Staff
The test, called HIV antiviral resistance testing by genotyping, involves a genetic analysis of the AIDS virus to detect mutations that are associated with drug resistance. The results can help doctors prescribe the most effective anti-viral drug regimen.
Using advanced gene-sequencing equipment and the most accurate techniques available, the Stanford lab amplifies viral genes in the patient's blood sample, determines the genetic sequences of the reverse transcriptase and protease genes, and analyzes them for known resistance mutations.
The results are then correlated with the patient's treatment history and clinical findings.
"The primary reason for drug failure is drug resistance due to mutations in the reverse transcriptase or protease genes," said Dr. Robert Shafer, a clinical assistant professor of medicine at Stanford.
In addition to the resistance test, the lab offers the most sensitive type of viral load test available, capable of detecting as few as 20 viral copies per milliliter of blood.
The cost of testing - $300 per gene or $650 for a package that includes the reverse transcriptase and protease gene tests as well as a viral load test on the same sample - is reimbursable by insurers.
Here are some details:
The test has to be ordered by a doctor. Call the Stanford lab at (650) 723-5706to obtain an order form.
Blood can be drawn at any clinic, hospital or doctor's office, or at Stanford Hospital's Positive Care Clinic at (650) 498-5013. The blood sample, if drawn outside Stanford, can be transported to the Palo Alto-based medical center by courier. The courier service is provided free by Stanford. Medical courier services in the Bay Area include Medical Couriers, 552-4750; and NCM Courier, (408) 929-3339. Test results are returned to the referring physician within two to three weeks.
For more information, call Ann Warford of Stanford's Department of Diagnostic Virology at (650) 725-8031.Resistance forum
"HIV Resistance and Its Effect on Treatment Choices," a free forum sponsored by The Conant Foundation and Project Inform, will be Nov. 13, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the ANA Hotel, 50 Third St., S.F.
Three experts - Dr. Marcus Conant, Dr. Bill Owen and Project Inform's Martin Delaney - will offer up-to-date information on treatment trends, the role of HIV resistance genes in therapy, and the challenge of adhering to anti-viral treatment. For more information, call 1-800-433-4584.Events
*The Positive Center of San Anselmo is offering a new seven-week series of free workshops for Marin County residents with HIV / AIDS, starting this week. Topics include Cleaning Up Credit; How To Keep Benefits; Dealing with the IRS; Yoga, Pets and Your Health; HIV and Your Skin; and Building Self-Esteem. Call (415) 456-8065.
* "The Year in Review for Medical Treatments: Part I" is the subject of a special cable TV show to be aired on San Francisco Cable TV Channel 27 Wednesday at 8:30 p.m., Thursday at 6 p.m., and Sunday at 8 p.m.
* "Under One Roof: 1997 Holiday Premier" will be Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. at 2362 Market St. Gift-wrapping and refreshments will be available.
* "Chronic Fatigue: A Multi-modality Approach," a free lecture on the use of homeopathy, Feldenkrais and hypnotherapy in symptoms of chronic fatigue, will be Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Harvey Milk Institute, 584B Castro St., Suite 451. Call (415) 552-7200to enroll.
*Bay Area Young Positives, which helps HIV-positive young adults, is holding a fund-raising reception at 140 Church St. on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m., hosted by Supervisor Tom Ammiano. The agency, which serves 400 of The City's estimated 4,000 infected youth, has reached the end of its grant and is in jeopardy of a major budget cutback. Tickets are $50. Call (415) 487-1616. *Dr. Robert Gallo and Dr. Sandra Hernandez will be the keynote speakers at Project Inform's annual "Evening of Hope" benefit dinner and program on Friday at the Westin St. Francis Hotel. Money raised at the event will help Project Inform continue to advocate for improved treatment of people with HIV / AIDS. Tickets are $125. Call (415) 558-8669. "New AIDS Drugs: What Every Patient and Caregiver Should Know," a free three-hour class sponsored by Home Care Companions, will be offered Friday night from 7 to 10 p.m. at California Pacific Medical Center's Webster Street campus. It will offered again on Saturday. For information, call (415) 824-3269.
Other upcoming classes with Home Care Companions will address medical emergencies, home-care burnout, use of medical equipment and supplies, and issues that have emerged with long-term survival, such as pain, poor nutrition, anger, depression, delirium and dementia.
*Public health advocates, government officials and representatives from the pharmaceutical industry will gather for "The International Conference on Healthcare Resources Allocation for HIV / AIDS," a meeting to discuss the global crisis in access to care and lifesaving drugs, on Nov. 10 in Chicago. Call (312) 419-7295. * "HIV and Managed Care: An Oxymoron?" will be discussed by Dr. Stephen Becker of Brown and Toland's HIV Intervention Program, sponsored by Community Consortium, on Nov. 19 at 5:30 p.m., Mission Center Building, Room 126, 1855 Folsom St.
The toll
Roger James Soto, 56, a Sacramento native and railroad retiree who volunteered on the presidential campaigns of John and Bobby Kennedy . . . Edwin Caccia, 41, owner and operator of Caccia Painting and Decorating, in Albany . . . Carl Cochran, 51, former news reporter in San Angelo, Texas; news producer at KHOU-TV in Houston, and executive producer of corporate television with Pacific Bell in San Francisco.
. . . . . .Date
. . . . . .reported. . . Cases . . . Deaths
S.F.. . . .10/1 . . . . 24,682 . . . 16,900
Calif.. . .10/1 . . . .103,056 . . . 65,744
U.S.. . . .10/1 . . . .612,078 . . .379,258
WHO(rprtd) 10/1 . . .8,400,000 . .6,400,000
Figures are cumulative since June 1981. Government officials now compile and release statistics quarterly, not monthly.
To contribute to AIDSweek, call (415) 777-7867. AIDSweek columns are available on the Internet at www.examiner.com / aidsweek / aidsweek.html
971105
SE971101
Copyright © 1997 - San Francisco Examiner. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the San Francisco Examiner, Permissions Desk, 110 Fifth Street, P.O. Box 7260, San Franciso, CA 94120.
AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Elton John AIDS Foundation, iMetrikus, Inc., John M. Lloyd Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1997. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 1997. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .