COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

San Mateo Medical Center

DATE:

December 20, 2004

BOARD MEETING DATE:

January 4, 2005

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Nancy J. Steiger, Chief Executive Officer

SUBJECT:

Support of UARP Application to Fund Collaborative HIV/AIDS Research Partnership

Recommendation

Adopt a Resolution in support of the collaboration between San Mateo Medical Center, Stanford University, and San Francisco Department of Public Health to conduct a Collaborative HIV/AIDS Research Partnership.

Vision Alignment

Commitment: Basic Health and Safety for All

Goal 8: Help vulnerable people – the aged, disabled, mentally ill, at-risk youth and others – achieve a better quality of life.

The study funded by this grant contributes to Goal 8 by giving San Mateo Medical Center an opportunity to conduct HIV/AIDS specific research which will evaluate prevention interventions to reduce the transmission and pathogenesis of HIV in under-researched at-risk populations. Additionally, the studies will determine the prevalence of viral shedding and anti-viral drug resistance in plasma, semen, cervical and anal samples, identify methods and practices to reduce secondary HIV transmission and assess on-going risks for super infection and transmission of drug-resistant viruses.

Background/Discussion

The Clinical Trials and Research Unit (CTRU) of the San Mateo County was established by the Health Services Agency in 2000 in order to provide a mechanism and infrastructure for the conduct of clinical treatment trials and medical or psychosocial research projects for the benefit of San Mateo County residents. A preliminary assessment by the Unit staff identified HIV/AIDS as a disease affecting many of the County’s patients. CTRU along with Stanford University and San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) identified a need to apply innovative technologies to public health interventions for surveillance, prevention and care aimed at underrepresented populations (African-Americans, Latinos, and women) in San Mateo County and the City/County of San Francisco.

In November of 2004, the Universitywide AIDS Research Program sent out a Request for Proposal to local agencies for the California Collaborative HIV/AIDS Research Center application. On December 3, 2004, CTRU, Stanford University, and SFDPH sent a letter of intent to apply for this grant award. The primary purpose of this grant is to encourage collaboration among public health entities in conducting surveillance, prevention and providing care for underrepresented populations. The award is for 4.5 million dollars over 4 years to be divided between the three organizations. The County would receive $600,000 each year for Fiscal Years 2005-09 for a total amount of $2,400,000 over four years.

The grant consists of 2 specific research projects. The primary theme of research project #1 is to implement and assess Rapid Oral (OraSure) community-based testing for HIV; developing the use of oral mucosal secretions for the detection of HIV RNA to identify acute infections (RNA positive/antibody negative) and monitor HIV resistance at HIV/STD community clinic sites in San Mateo and San Francisco Counties; and evaluating related prevention interventions to reduce the transmission and pathogenesis of HIV in under-researched at-risk populations.

The theme of research project #2 is to assess a mature community clinic cohort of under-researched HIV infected patients to determine the prevalence of viral shedding and anti-viral drug resistance in plasma, semen, cervical and anal samples; and identify methods and practices to reduce secondary HIV transmission and assess on-going risks for super infection and transmission of drug-resistant viruses.

Fiscal Impact

If awarded, San Mateo Medical Center would receive $600,000 per year for a period of four years totaling $2,400,000.