Published in the Bulletin of Experimental Treatments for AIDS 1999 Year-End issue, by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.

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HAART and Experimental Approaches to Treatment

Anti-HIV Drug Resistance Testing

Anti-HIV Therapies Early in the Pipeline

Anti-HIV Therapy Trials: New Studies and Follow-Up of Existing Trials

New Anti-HIV Drug Interactions, Toxicities, and Dosing Options

HIV Transmission

OIs and Cancers

Year-End 1999 Table of Contents

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Conference Notes -- OIs and Cancers

Harvey S. Bartnof, MD

Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) is transmitted by deep oral "French" kissing

This study was presented at the 39th ICAAC by J. Pauk, MD, and colleagues from the University of Washington in Seattle. One hundred men who have sex with men (79% HIV negative) were recruited for the study. Thirty-three were KSHV (also called human herpesvirus type 8 or HHV-8) positive. Twelve of the 33 men were also infected with HIV, while the other 21 were HIV negative. Participants completed questionnaires and samples were taken from inside the mouth, nose, urethra (penis tip), rectum, and prostate (internal male gland) after prostate massage. Semen and blood samples were also evaluated. Results of the multivariate analysis showed that HHV-8 positivity was significantly associated with each of the following: (1) sex with a partner who had Kaposi's sarcoma (KS); (2) deep oral kissing with a partner who was HIV positive; and (3) use of amyl nitrate ("poppers") during sex. Among samples with a strong laboratory signal for KSHV, 81% were from inside the mouth. The other 19% were from either semen, the rectum, urethra, or prostate. Other studies have not detected KSHV in semen of men with KS. The study authors concluded that higher KSHV risk among men who have sex with men "is likely due to exposure to the saliva of HIV positive/HHV-8 positive immunocompromised men."

Clarithromycin is used to prevent and treat MAC, a common life-threatening condition in HIV positive persons before the era of HAART. A new extended-release formulation of the drug will be available in 500 mg and 1,000 mg tablets, allowing once-daily dosing. Lead author of the presentation at the 39th ICAAC was Linda E. Gustavson, PhD, of Abbott Laboratories.

Page last updated 8 January 2000