Skip to main content

NIDA meeting calls for research into the poppers-Kaposi’s sarcoma connection

  • Chapter
AIDS: Virus- or Drug Induced?

Part of the book series: Contemporary Issues in Genetics and Evolution ((CIGE,volume 5))

  • 64 Accesses

Abstract

When the first cases of AIDS, or the predecessor cases of GRID (Gay Related Immune Deficiency) were identified in 1981, the nitrite inhalants known as ‘poppers’ were high on the list of etiological suspects. Here was a drug used heavily and almost exclusively by the people getting sick: a subset of gay men. It was especially plausible that the nitrites, as powerful mutagens, might be responsible for Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS), which was then believed to be a rare form of cancer.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 109.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Centers for Disease Control, 1983. An evaluation of the immunotoxic potential of isobutyl nitrite. MMWR 64: 457–458.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haley, T.H., 1980. Review of the physiological effects of amyl butyl, and isobutyl nitrites. Clinical Toxicology 317–329.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haverkos, H.W., et al, 1985. Disease manifestation among homosexual men with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: A possible role of nitrites in Kaposi’s sarcoma. Sexually Transmitted Diseases October-December, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haverkos, H.W. & J.A., Dougherty, (editors), 1988. Health Hazards of Nitrite Inhalants. NIDA Research Monograph 83. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Rockville, MD, 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lauritsen, J. & H. Wilson, 1986. Death Rush: Poppers & AIDS. Pagan Press, NY 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lauritsen, J.P., 1987. Saying no to HIV: an interview with Prof. Peter Duesberg, who says. Saying no to HIV: an interview with Prof. Peter Duesberg, who says, ‘I would not worry about being antibody positive’. New York Native Issue 220, 6 July 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lauritsen, J.P., 1993. The AIDS War. Asklepios, N.Y.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayer, K. & J. D’Eramo, 1984. Poppers: a storm warning. Christopher Street Issue 78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mirvish, S.S., et al., 1993. Mutagenicity of iso-butyl nitrite vapor in Ames test and some relevant chemical properties, including the reaction of iso-butyl nitrite with phosphate. Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis 21: 247–252.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Newell, G.R., M.R. Spitz & M.B. Wilson, 1988. Nitrite inhalants: historical perspective. In NIDA Research Monograph 83 (Haverkos & Dougherty, 1988 ).

    Google Scholar 

  • Quinto, I., 1980. The mutagenicity of alkylnitrites in the Salmonella test (tr. from Italian). Bolletino Societa Italiana Biologia Sperimentale 56: 816–820.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wood, R.W., 1988. The acute toxicity of nitrite inhalants. In NIDA Research Monograph 83 (Haverkos & Dougherty, 1988 ).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Peter H. Duesberg

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1996 Kluwer Academic Publishers

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Lauritsen, J. (1996). NIDA meeting calls for research into the poppers-Kaposi’s sarcoma connection. In: Duesberg, P.H. (eds) AIDS: Virus- or Drug Induced?. Contemporary Issues in Genetics and Evolution, vol 5. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-1651-7_23

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-1651-7_23

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-7923-3961-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-1651-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics