Abstract Book Vol. 2 [International Conference on AIDS (14th: 2002: Barcelona, Spain)]

XIV International AIDS Conference

Abstracts ThPeB7382-ThPeB7386 429

Results: This analysis included 174 (91 QW, 83 TIW) patients with no significant
differences in age, weight, Hb levels, viral load, and CD4 cell count at baseline
(BL). Hb levels, energy, activity, and overall QOL improved significantly in both
arms by Week 8 (P<0.05) and were maintained until the end of the study. The
last available (FINAL) changes in LASA scores and Hb between the two dosing
arms were not significantly different (P>0.05).
Conclusions: In anemic HIV+ patients, QW dosing of epoetin alfa was as effective as TIW dosing in increasing Hb levels and improving energy, activity, and
overall QOL scores in anemic HIV+ patients. Epoetin alfa was well tolerated.
Presented on behalf of the 010 Study Group
Presenting author: Howard Grossman, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 155 West 19th Street, FL4, New York, NY 10011-4121,
United States, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: hagdoc
@polari.net
ThPeB7382 Evaluation of mortality in HIV-infected patients at a
sub-urban hospital
W. Gebre, G. Feleke, J. Verley. NUMC, East Meadow, United States
Background: Mortality and incidence of opportunistic infections among HIVinfected patients has decreased since the advent of HAART We evaluated current
mortality trends among nearly 700 HIV-infected patients enrolled in our program
of which 63% are Black, 14% Hispanic, 33% White.
Methods: Retrospective chart review of patients who died in the hospital during
the period 1/1/2001 to 12/31/2001.
Results: There were 35 deaths of which 19 occurred in the hospital. Of those who
died in hospital, 15 charts were available for review. 8/15 were male. The mean
age was 47 (range31-73yrs) There were 12 Blacks (80%), 2 Whites (13%) and 1
Hispanic (6%). Their risk factors included injection drug use 7 (47%), heterosexual 4 (27%), both 2 (13%) and unknown/other 2 (13%). Three (3) patients did not
have AIDS. The median CD4 count at the time of death was 93 (range 5 to 542).
Eleven (73%) had CD4<50/mm3. Median viral load was 328,550 copies (range
<50 to >750,000), only 4 patients had <400 copies. Twelve (80%) of the patients
were receiving HAART at the time of death. Mean years since HIV diagnosis was
9 years (range 1-20yrs). The most common cause of death was respiratory failure 7/15 (47%) of which 3/7 (43%) were complications of lung cancer. The other
causes of death include wasting (2), sepsis (2), ESRD (1), ESLD (1), pancreatitis (1) and rhabdomyolysis (1). Major co-morbid conditions included NIDDM (3),
HTN (3) and cardiomyopathy (4). 73% had Ols diagnosed prior to death. 6/15
were co-infected with Hepatitis C.
Conclusion: Although HAART has reduced the mortality rate in the HIV-infected
population, deaths continue to occur. Our findings indicate that deaths occurred
primarily in those who were severely immune-compromised but were largely due
to non-AIDS indicator conditions, especially malignancy. Despite HAART and prophylaxis, Ols were commonly seen. This may be due to non-adherence or virologic failure.
Presenting author: Wondwossen Gebre, 2201 Hempstead TPKE, NUMC, Infectious disease division, East Meadow, NY 11554, United States, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeB7383 HIV co-infection with GB Virus C (Hepatitis G virus,
HGV) does not influence initial response to
antiretroviral therapy
Z.L. Brumme, W. Dong, K. Chan, R.S. Hogg, J.S.G. Montaner,
M.V. O'Shaughnessy, P.R. Harrigan. BC Centre for Excellence in H/V/AIDS, BC
Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, 613-1081 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC, V6Z
1 Y6, Canada
Background: Co-infection with GBV-C appears to be associated with a
favourable prognosis for HIV disease progression in untreated individuals.
We wished to determine whether GBV-C co-infection was associated with differential response to HIV therapy in a large cohort of individuals first starting
antiretroviral therapy in British Columbia, Canada.
Methods: This retrospective study involved 461 eligible antiretroviral naive individuals initiating their first HIV treatment between June 1996 and August 1998.
The presence of GBV-C RNA in extracted plasma was detected by nested RTPCR, with primers specific for the 5' untranslated region, using detection of HIV
gag RNA as a positive control. PCR products were visualized using agarose gel
electrophoresis, and their identity confirmed by direct DNA sequencing. Time to
virological success (achieving
HIV pVL < 500 copies/mI), virological failure (subsequent confirmed pVL >
500 copies/mI) and immunological failure (confirmed CD4 count below baseline)
were assessed by Kaplan-Meler survival analysis methods.
Results: Of the 455 individuals for whom baseline plasma samples were available for study, 91 had detectable plasma GBV-C RNA, a 20% prevalence.
There was no effect of GBV-C co-infection with respect to time to virological suc
cess (P=0.64), virological failure (P=0.79), or immunological failure (P=0.73) after
the start of antiretroviral therapy.
Kaplan-Meier curves were virtually superimposible.
Conclusion: GBV-C infection is relatively common in individuals seeking treatment for HIV infection; however it does not appear to have any effect on initial
response to antiretroviral therapy.

Presenting author: Zabrina Brumme, BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS,
613-1081 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada, Tel.: [phone],
Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeB7384 Anti-retroviral drugs: A new lease for life
S.F Sanywa, K.J. Kayanja Julius, T.E.B. Tendo Esther Banjagala, M.J. Mayanja
James. Health Partners (U)/td., c/o Box 26785, Kampala, Uganda
Issues: Inadequate information and inaccessibility to ARVs,time keeping for medication, quality counselling, proper dosage and sticking to the medical advice in
order to achieve best results.
Description: This is the experience of two Ugandans, who had lost hope but
now are looking after their families after starting ARVs. They will share their experiences on Triple Therapy, the side effects, when they take ARVs and why only
then, compare their health situations before and during taking ARVs, costs, success of HIV/AIDS drug Initiative and the impact of ARVs.
LESSONS: The impact of ARVs is good but not many people have information
about them. The PLWHIV/AIDS who stigmatise themselves have not benefitted
from ARVs.
Recommendations: More information on ARVs is still needed, acceptence of
one's sero status is important in order to be assisted with ARVs which is hoped
to be a new lease for life.
Presenting author: Freddie Sanywa, c/o Box 26785, Kampala, Uganda, Tel.:
[phone], Fax: [phone] / 541 999, E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeB7385 Experience with a cotrimoxazole prophylaxis
program in Rural Zimbabwe
P. Thistle1, S. Quinn2, A. Zvomuya1, M. Silverman3. 1Howard Hospital,
Glendale, Zimbabwe; 2Mcmaster Univertsity Hamilton, Canada; 3University of
Toronto, 95 bayly st #200, ajax, ontario,/l1s7k8, Canada
Background: The WHO recommends that cotrimoxazole (CTM) prophylaxis become the standard of care for HIV positive patients in Africa. The feasibility and
potential personal impact of such programs, as well as the characteristics of the
patients who would be able to participate require further clarification.
Method: After informed consent, HIV positive adult patients were enrolled in a
program offering free ctm. Patients completed a confidential questionnaire, and
returned monthly for pill refills. Pill counts were used to monitor compliance.
Results: 322 patients (57.6% female (F)) were enrolled. Mean age =32.6 F
and 37.2 Male. Mean duration in the program=218 days (SD=113). 53.3% were
screened for HIV due to a diagnosis of Tuberculosis, 19.3% due to another STD,
and 16.5% of the F were screened because of pregnancy. Only 4.6% were
screened because of a partner who was known to be positive. Nevertheless
84.3% were living with their spouse (13.7% had a deceased spouse and 2.0 %
were separated). 60.7% notified their partner of their status, but 39.3% chose
not to. 46.5 knew their partners to be positive, 1.7% negative, but 51.8% did not
know their partners status. 49.4% reported "never" using condoms, 50.6% "occasionally" but none "always". The mean number of children being cared for =2.5
(SD=2), with a mean of 0.5 deceased children. 98.6% of dispensed medications
were taken, but in total only 55.3% (SD=22.5) of all required ctm was taken. This
was due to patients missing 63% of monthly visits, largely due to a lack of resources for travel. Complications included rash (14pt's), thrush 7, Diarrhoea 4.
TB was the most common opportunistic infection occurring in 85pt's, STD's in39,
Pneumonia 6,and 13 died.
Conclusions: To optimize efficacy, a ctm program must enhance education and
availability of condoms, as well as TB prophylaxis. Monthly visits are not feasible,
and larger numbers of pills dispensed less frequently with travel assistance may
enhance compliance.
Presenting author: michael silverman, 95 bayly st #200, ajax, ontario, 11s7k8,
Canada, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: mssilver@idirect.
com
ThPeB7386 Vulture and other scavenging birds' droppings do
not spread secondary infections in AIDS
S. Das. Das Research Centre & Peerless Hospital, Kolkata, India
Background: Vultures are most important scavenging birds. Although it is well
known that due to scavenging action vultures prevents spread of anthrax, but
according to some; they may spread anthrax through their droppings. Thus this
experiment was done to find out whether vulture and other birds' droppings contain anthrax and other pathogenic bacteria or not.
Methods: This study was done on vulture droppings around different roosts, and
observations were made on four patients living close proximity of a vulture roost.
Droppings were present on dead leaves as well as on herbs, which were present,

surrounding their roosts. We have studied pH and bacteria of the droppings.
Results: Droppings were mildly acidic; pH ranges between 6.0 to 6.8. Aerobic
bacteriological cultures were made on nutrient agar medium with swabs taken
from droppings. There was no colony of anthrax bacilli and they mainly consist of
colibacilli, Bacillus sp. Other than anthrax bacilli, few micrococci and corynebacteria. The most interesting finding was that there were plenty bacteriophages in
the cultures creating plaque like gaps here and there in the colonies. Thus it may
happen that these bacteriophages may kill pathogenic bacteria which may enter