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

XIV International AIDS Conference

Abstracts WePeB6009-WePeB6012 81

Conclusion: Most medicinal marijuana users do not use other illicit drugs. Preliminary analyses suggest that medicinal marijuana is not associated with ART
adherence or viral load.
Presenting author: diane prentiss, clinical trials and research, 222 west 39th avenue, san mateo, ca, 94401, United States, Tel.: [phone], Fax: +1 650
571 7802, E-mail: [email protected]
WePeB6009I The effect of wild garlic extracts on AIDS related
fungal and bacterial pathogens
Q. Johnson1, F Weitz', W. Mabusela1, J. Klaasen2. 'University of the Western
Cape, Department of Medical Biosciences, University of the Western Cape,
Bellville, South Africa; 2Agricultural Research Council, Stellenbosch, South
Africa
Background: For the past 5000 years, garlic has been known as natures most
powerful antibiotic. However, very few scienctific studies have assessed related
wild garlic species as potentially safe, effective and cheap therapeutics, that could
combat fungal and bacterial pathogens such as Candida albicans and Tuberculosis smegamatis, which affect people with AIDS.
Methods: An in vitro disc diffusion investigation, for the possible anti-infective nature of wild garlic extracts was completed on C. albicans and T smegmatis. Three
methanol extractions (10%, 25%, 50%) of wild garlic extracts, together with a 25%
water extract was evaluated. Exactly 50 [I of the wild garlic extract (40mg/ml)
was added to a disk and dried in an incubator for a few minutes at 37~C. This
was placed on nutrient agar plates that were innoculated with C. albicans and T.
smegmatis. A positive control disk for T. smegmatis(Ciprofloxacin - 40pg/disc),
and one for C. albicans (Amphotericin B - 25pg/disk) were placed on the plates.
In addition, 50 p1 of commercial garlic extract (40mg/ml) was placed on a disk,
and included on the plates as another positive control. The plates were incubated
for 48 hours at 37~C and checked for zones of inhibition.
Results: Table 1: The effect of wild garlic extracts on selected fungal and bacterial pathogens as assessed via the development of inhibition zones on plates
(mm)
Extracts and Drugs T smegmatis C. albicans
water-25% 5 6
MeOH-10% 0 4
MeOH-25% 7 6
MeOH-50% 9 9
Ciprofloxacin 23 Not applicable
Amphotericin B Not applicable 0
Commercial garlic 0 0
Conclusions: Wild garlic extracts show inhibiting effects against T smegmatis
and C. albicans. Further structural and chemical analyses of wild garlic, could well
lead to the development of nutriceuticals, for AIDS patients infected with these
pathogens.
Presenting author: Quinton Johnson, Department of Medical Biosciences, University of the Western Cape, BelIville, South Africa, Tel.: [phone], E-mail:
qjohnson @ uwc.ac.za
WePeB6010 The use of Chinese herbal medicine by
HIV-infected patients in China, Taiwan and Hong
Kong
V. So. University of Toronto, 8 Wellesley St E. Apt. 705, Toronto, Ontario M4Y
3B2, Canada
Background: To determine the prevalence of the use of herbs as a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for the health of HIV-infected patients in Chinese
communities; to determine the patterns and reasons for this use; and to examine associations between predisposing variables and the use of Chinese Herbal
Medicine (CHM) for HIV.
Methods: The sample was drawn from the Institute of Infectious Diseases in
Guangzhou, China, the Taipei Municipal Venereal Disease Centre in Taipei, Taiwan, ROC and Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Hong Kong, SAR. A survey divided
into the major sections of HIV history, Chinese Herbal Medicine use and demographics was translated into Chinese and completed by the participants under
supervision by the investigator.
Results: The prevalence of the use of Chinese Herbal Medicine for HIV by participants was 14.3%. Most participants did not know Chinese Herbal Medicine was
used for HIV or did not want to interfere with current therapies. Those who did
use Chinese Herbal Medicine for HIV were prompted to do so of their own volition
or by a friend, and most used it to cure the infection or to enhance their immune
system's function. Participant use of Chinese Herbal Medicine for HIV was statistically significantly related to the use of other Traditional Chinese Medicine therapy,
level of education, income and sexual orientation.

Conclusion: Participants who used Chinese Herbal Medicine for HIV were more
likely to be homosexual, to have tried other forms of Traditional Chinese Medicine,
and to be more educated and affluent. The Chinese community appeared open
to the use of Chinese Herbal Medicine: 43.2% of participants were willing to try
CHM for HIV in the future, 24.2% of patients have tried Chinese Herbal Medicine
before and 14.3% of patients had actually used it for HIV therapy.

Presenting author: Victor So, 8 Wellesley St. E. Apt. 705, Toronto, Ontario
M4Y 3B2, Canada, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: victor.so
@ utoronto.ca
WePeB6011 Safety and efficacy of New-Fill (Polylactic acid) in
the treatment of HIV-Associated Lipoatrophy of the
face (HALF)
P. Enqelhard, M. Knies. Apex South Beach, 446 Arthur Godfrey Road, Miami
Beach, Florida, 33140, United States
Background: Various techniques have been employed in an atempt to correct
the cosmetic facial defects caused by HIV-Associated Lipoatrophy of the Face
(HALF). This study presents data regarding the short term (6 month) efficacy and
safety of New-Fill (Polylactic acid) in the treatment of HALF.
Methods: Data was collected on 96 men with HALF, with a median age of 45 and
self-reported HALF ranging in severity from 1 (mild) to 5 (severe). 2% of subjects
desired treatment of the temples alone, 25% desired treatement of the cheeks
and temples, and 73% desired treatment of the cheeks alone. New-Fill was injected subdermally in the desired areas, using the technique described by the
product manufacturer, in a series of treatment sessions, spaced at 3 week intervals. 2 to 8 cc (mean 6.2 cc) of New-Fill was injected at each treatment session,
with 1 to 6 (mean 2.8) treatment sessions performed on each subject. The volume
of New-Fill used per treatment and the number of treatment sessions utilized per
subject were based upon the severity and quality of lipoatrophy for each subject.
Results: Subjects were asked to rate the severity of their facial lipoatrophy, using
a scale of 1 (mild) to 5 (severe). Mean lipoatrophy rating before treatment was 3.4;
after the final treatment, the mean rating was 1.3; 6 months after the final treatment, the mean rating was 1.6. Patient satisfaction with treatment outcome was
rated as a mean of 3.9 on a scale of 1 (very dissatisfied) to 5 (very satisfied). 28%
of subjects reported mild to moderate pain with New-Fill injections, 15% reported
mild transient bruising, 56% reported small, non-visible, palpable subcutaneous
nodules. There were no serious reported adverse events.
Conclusions: Treatment of HALF with New-Fill (Polylactic acid) results in significant improvement in subject self-reported lipoatrophy rating and good subject
satisfaction with treatment outcome at 6 months.
Presenting author: Peter Engelhard, 446 Arthur Godfrey Road, Miami Beach,
Florida, 33140, United States, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone],
E-mail: [email protected]
WePeB6012I Durability of antiretroviral benefit in a university
hospital in Brazil
R. Medeiros, R.S. Diaz, A. Castelo. UNIFESP 13 de Maio, 1838/43, Bela
Vista-Sdo Paulo, SP Brazil
Background: Brazil was the first country to provide unrestricted, free of costs access to antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, there is insufficient data evaluating
the effectiveness of these drugs for patients seen at the public health network.
Objectives: to ascertain the durability of ART offered to HIV infected patients
looking for care at a university outpatient HIV/AIDS reference center in Sao Paulo,
Brazil.
Methods: retrospective chart review of 120 antiretroviral-naive patients attended
from 1996 through 2000, at the outpatient reference center.
Results: 72% were male, mean age of 36 years (range:15.8-69y). Heterosexual
exposure was reported by 70% of patients, as the likely route for HIV infection.
At baseline, about half of individuals (52,5%) presented with clinical symptoms of
disease, and 59% of them had a CD4 count below 200 cells/mm3. ART benefit
was defined as a viral load kept below 1000 copies/ml.
Mean duration of ART benefit was estimated to be 14,1 months. The ART regimen
used more often by this cohort was ZDV+3TC+IND (26%), followed by ZDV+DDI
(17%), and ZDV+3TC+NFV (13%). The most frequent cause of treatment interruption was gastrointestinal intolerance. Three-drug proved to be more effective
than two-drug regimens only for patients with either CD4<200 cells/mm3 or HIV
RNA >100.000 copies/m. However, triple therapy was associated with a significantly higher probability of reaching maximum viral suppression, for a longer time
(p<0.05).
Conclusions: the benefit of ART in routine clinical practice is rather limited in
time. Incidence of adverse events was a significant cause of loss of benefit provided by the initial ART. Three-drug regimens were more effective than therapy
with two drugs for patients severely ill, and its benefit was more durable.
Presenting author: Roseane Medeiros, 13 de Maio, 1838/43, Bela Vista-Sho
Paulo, SP, Brazil, Tel.: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]