Washington Blade - August 4, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO - Researchers may have discovered why only some HIV-positive people develop HIV-related dementia. A study of 18 HIV-positive subjects shows that HIV in the brain and central nervous system is genetically different from HIV that lives in the blood and peripheral tissues, according to a University of California û San Francisco news release. Serious cognitive impairment among the study subjects was correlated with the presence of a particular mutation in the HIV envelope gene. The study appears in the July 2006 issue of Brain. It was led by Satish K. Pillai, Ph.D, a staff research associate at the San Francisco VA Medical Center. A mutation in the viral envelope gene known as the V3 loop appeared consistently in virus from study subjects who demonstrated the most severe cognitive impairment. This mutation was absent in sequences from subjects with little or no cognitive deficit. "In other words," saud Pillai, "there appears to be a particular HIV mutation that is associated with dementia." He cautions that this result is "suggestive, not conclusive," because of the study's small sample size.

7 new members named to Bush's AIDS panel

Seven people, including several doctors and researchers, will join the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. The council, part of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, provides recommendations on ways to curb the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Members are selected for their expertise in HIV/AIDS issues. New council members include: Dr. Marilyn Maxwell, a primary care physician for people with HIV/AIDS; Dr. Freda McKissick Bush, a gynecologist; Shenequa Flucas, an outreach worker with the Triangle AIDS Network; Robert Kabel, a trustee at the Whitman-Walker Clinic in D.C.; Dr. David Malebranche, who researches factors that influence black men's health; John Martin, president of the pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences; and Barbara Wise, co-founder of WiseChoices, a group that encourages healthy relationships. Wise, who is HIV positive, was previously a featured speaker at the Desert Hope Ministries "Restoring Glory" conference. Among the workshops at that conference was a session dedicated to "overcoming homosexuality." Wise spoke at the conference about how her HIV-negative fianc e stayed with her after learning about Wise's health status.

HIV hides in gut to escape attack

DAVIS, Calif. - HIV is able to survive the attack of powerful antiretroviral drugs by hiding out in the gut lining, according to researchers. Even when blood tests suggested antiretroviral treatment was working, the virus continued to replicate in the gut, suppressing immune function, BBC News reported. Writing in the Journal of Virology, the University of California û Davis scientists recommend earlier, aggressive drug treatment to combat this. The authors also suggest monitoring patients with gut biopsies as well as blood tests. The study is the first to demonstrate that while current HIV therapy is quite successful in reducing viral loads and increasing the number of immune T-cells to fight the infection in peripheral blood, it is not so effective in gut mucosa.

Neb. says AIDS list in Omaha area is a hoax

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A list circulating in the Omaha area with names of people purportedly infected with the AIDS virus is a hoax, according to the Nebraska Health & Human Services System. The list, whose origination isn't known, contains 87 names. Some are partial names and nicknames. The rest appear to be full names. It wasn't known if the names are those of real people, but HHS said it has received calls from a couple of people who have names matching names on the list. In a few instances, the list has been sold for $3 to $5, HHS said.

Almost one-third of people with HIV in N.Y. over age 50

NEW YORK - A study on HIV-positive older Americans shows that many are likely to suffer from high rates of depression as well as age-related medical problems already complicated by their fragile immune systems, according to a July 31 USA Today report. The number of people over 50 with HIV/AIDS is growing despite the fact that new HIV/AIDS diagnoses are not increasing in that age group. The study was done last year in New York City. Of 100,000 New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS, 31 percent are over 50, according to the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene. The study also reported HIV-positive adults suffer almost 13 times higher rates of depression than the general New York City population.

060804
WB060802

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2006. 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, 2006. 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. .