CDC updates OI guidelines

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in March released updated guidelines for opportunistic infections (OIs) in people with HIV. Major changes and updates to the guidelines include:

  • additional emphasis on the importance of anti-HIV treatment for the prevention and treatment of OIs
  • information on the diagnosis and treatment of IRIS (immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome, sometimes seen after the beginning of antiviral therapy)
  • information on interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) for the detection of latent (existing but not active) Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) infection
  • updated information on drug interactions with rifamycin TB drugs
  • addition of a section on hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection
  • a new section on malaria
So-called opportunistic infections prey on weakened immune systems and, before the arrival of strong HIV treatments, were frequently the cause of major illness and death. To see the guidelines, visit www.aidsinfo.nih.gov. An updated OI guidelines for pediatrics is expected in the near future.

Say no to Ziagen skin patch test

In March, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cautioned health care providers not to use a skin patch test to check for hypersensitivity reaction to Ziagen (abacavir, ABC), which is also found in the fixed dose medications Epzicom and Trizivir. The FDA stated that, “The use of skin patch testing is difficult to justify as the basis for rechallenging a patient with ABC [going back on the medication], given the risk for a fatal systemic reaction.” The agency explained that, “Several research reports have described using skin patch testing to confirm suspected cases of abacavir hypersensitivity immunologically. However, data suggest that skin patch testing may miss cases of true hypersensitivity reaction or provide false positive results. The FDA points out that the accuracy of skin patch testing is unknown, and that using skin patch testing to confirm cases of abacavir hypersensitivity has not been validated clinically. Given that rechallenging a patient with a suspected hypersensitivity reaction could be fatal, these reactions must continue to be diagnosed clinically.”

New female condom

Also in March, the FDA approved a new female condom. It is a lower-cost version from the Female Health Company, which had the only women’s condom to date. The condom is expected to sell for about 30% less, or about 70 cents to the Reality condom’s approximate one dollar cost. Instead of polyurethane, like the old version, it is made of a synthetic rubber called nitrile.

New study, START, explores when to begin HIV treatment

For people with HIV, the best time to begin treatment for the virus is not conclusively known (see also story on page 44). A very large study would be needed to help answer the question. The START Study is designed to be that clinical trial. START, for Strategic Timing of AntiRetroviral Treatment, is being planned by INSIGHT, the offshoot of a research organization that’s no longer in existence, the CPCRA (Community Program for Clinical Research on AIDS). INSIGHT expects to begin with the enrollment of 900 individuals from 22 countries later this year. Individuals must have more than 500 CD4+ T-cells and have never taken HIV therapy before. For more details, visit http://insight.ccbr.umn.edu/start. See also the Fall 2008 RITA! at www.centerforaids.org.

Twice as many positive people with TB

Around the world, tuberculosis (TB) is a greater problem than it is here in the United States. Now, the World Health Organization (WHO) has found that one out of four TB deaths was related to HIV infection, twice as many than was previously estimated. According to the WHO, the greater numbers came from better reporting methods and increased HIV testing in people with TB. As of 2007, there were an estimated 1.37 million new cases of TB, and 456,000 deaths from the disease, among HIV-positive individuals. The 2009 global TB report was released in March. It listed TB/HIV co-infection and multi-drug-resistant TB as the greatest challenges in controlling the disease, but also discussed concerns over funding.

Jack Mackenroth joins Poz I Am Internet radio show

Fashion designer Jack Mackenroth of Project Runway fame (season four) is the new co-host of the POZ I AM Internet radio show, joining its founder, Robert Breining. The show includes interviews on news in the HIV community. According to Mackenroth’s website, “Jack has always been very open about his HIV positive status. Since his diagnosis in 1990, he has tried to combat the stigma associated with HIV by living honestly and being a role model through his professional and athletic achievements. He believes that public visibility educates and eventually saves lives.” Mackenroth also works with Merck & Co. on the Living Positive by Design campaign. POZ I AM airs Wednesdays at 2 p.m. EST. Visit www.blogtalkradio.com/poziam and www.jackmackenroth.com.

Caribbean cruise and retreat

The combined gay and hetero Caribbean Positive Cruise is scheduled for October 10–18, and expects to sell out in early June. There are separate, as well as combined, activities for the two groups. The cruise sails for eight nights, beginning at Ft. Lauderdale on Saturday, October 10, with stops in St. Thomas, Antigua, Tortola, and Nassau. Rates begin at $535 per person, plus taxes. The annual cruise, which also serves as a fundraiser for HIV organizations, provides educational forums in addition to social activities, and starts out with a Celebration of Life Ceremony. This year’s speakers include Dr. Michael Wohlfeiler and treatment activist Nelson Vergel (whose photograph graces this issue’s cover). For more information, visit www.hivcruise.com for the gay group and www.positivecruise.com for the heterosexual group.

New TPAN executive director

In March, the Board of Directors of Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN), publisher of Positively Aware, announced that Bruce Weiss has been named Executive Director.

Weiss has provided leadership to the HIV/AIDS community in Washington, D.C., for more than a decade. He served for several years as the executive director of SMYAL (Sexual Minority Youth Action League), overseeing major growth in their programs, staffing, and funding. He later became the director of the Whitman-Walker Clinic of Northern Virginia, a community health clinic focused on HIV and LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) health care. Most recently, he was Director of Community Health at D.C.’s Whitman-Walker Clinic. In 2006, he was a recipient of the Capital Pride Hero Award honoring LGBT leaders.

“Bruce is that rare combination of experienced leadership and unbridled enthusiasm,” stated TPAN Board President Condon McGlothlen. “Everyone at TPAN is excited about his arrival.”

Weiss has an exceptional knowledge of fundraising, board development, and programmatic activities, and holds a Masters in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania, and a graduate certificate in non-profit management from Georgetown University.

“I feel very fortunate to be joining such a vibrant organization,” said Weiss. “Chicago is a great city and the TPAN staff, board of directors, and volunteers inspired me with their energy and passion the moment I walked through the front door. It is a remarkable organization providing important HIV prevention and care services.”

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