Magic Johnson visits California prison for World AIDS Day
Continuing his commitment to reaching out to at-risk populations, Earvin "Magic" Johnson visited California Medical Facility in Vacaville, CA on  Dec. 3, 2003. After a private meeting with the prison's inmate peer educators, Magic spoke to an appreciative audience of over 600 inmates, recounting his own personal journey following his diagnosis with HIV in 1991. The audience responded enthusiastically to Magic's messages concerning  testing, treatment, and prevention. Earlier in the week, the prison was host to Assemblyman Mark Leno, Senator Gloria Romero, and 35 members of the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus. Senator Romero took the opportunity to call upon the CA DOC to evaluate the feasibility of distributing condoms to inmates.

Study: Long Term Adefovir in HBeAg Negative Chronic Hepatitis B Results in Significant Virological, Biochemical, and Histologic Improvement
This study presented from the Henry Dunant Hospital, Athens, Greece and Gilead Sciences showed that Adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) 10 mg has demonstrated significant histological, virological, and biochemical improvement as compared to placebo (PLB) through 48 weeks of therapy in HBeAg positive and HBeAg negative patients. Study authors concluded that Adefovir for 96 weeks resulted in significant and continued reduction in HBV DNA and ALT; and additional histologic improvement beyond that seen at week 48. Discontinuation of ADV resulted in loss of HBV DNA and ALT suppression and reversion of histologic improvement. Emergence of adefovir resistance was delayed and infrequent. Adefovir has a distinct resistance profile from lamivudine. 
Marcellin, Patrick et al. 54th AASLD October 2003 Poster 1156.

Sexual Transmission of HCV in Heterosexual Monogomous Couples 
The aim of this study is to determine the potential for sexual transmission of HCV among monogamous heterosexual couples by identifying the factors (sexual and non-sexual) associated with anti-HCV positivity among partners, and the relatedness of virus strains among concordant couples. The prevalence of anti-HCV among sexual partners of persons with HCV was 4% (95% CI: 2.3%-5.7%) but 40% of partners had discordant types indicating lack of sexual transmission. The majority of type concordant couples lacked percutaneous risk factors for HCV, suggesting sex may be the route of transmission but phylogenetic analysis of viral strains will ultimately determine whether sexual transmission occurred.
Terrault, NA et al. 54th AASLD. October 2003 Abstract 716.

Weight Loss and Exercise Can Improve Fibrosis 
Obesity is a risk factor for the progression of fibrosis in chronic liver diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hepatitis C (HCV). The aim of this study was to investigate the longer-term effect of weight loss on liver biochemistry, serum insulin levels and quality of life in overweight patients with liver disease and the effect of subsequent weight maintenance or regain and to determine factors associated with successful weight maintenance. It was demonstrated that lifestyle interventions reduced risk factors associated with progression of liver disease, decreased abnormal liver enzymes, improved quality of life and in a proportion of patients improved histological features of liver injury. Importantly, these changes were achievable and sustainable with relatively small but persistent changes in lifestyle. Treatment of overweight should form an important component of the management of patients with chronic liver disease. 
Hickman, IJ et al. 54th AASLD. October 2003 Abstract 716.

Study: Survival of HIV-Infected Liver Transplant Recipients
With immune function restoration made possible by HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy), a study from the University of Pittsburgh evaluated 24 HIV positive subjects with ESLD who were undergoing Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTX). In contrast to the finding of past inferior survival observed among HIV-infected transplant recipients, this study found that successful liver transplantation is possible for HIV-infected subjects, and that for HIV-infected subjects, post-OLTX survival with ART is similar to that for HIV negative subjects. Data from this study provide a scientific rationale to justify that HIV infection should no longer be considered an absolute contraindication to transplantation, which is consistent with recent transplantation arguments based on ethical considerations.
Ragni, MV et al. Journal of Infectious Diseases 188 (2003) pp. 1412-1420.

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