LOS ANGELES, CA — Despite the recent AIDS-related death of pornographic film star John Holmes, who claimed 14,000 sexual conquests, industry officials insist the adult film business is AIDS-free.

Concerned about the adverse publicity surrounding Holmes' death, sex-film producers and performers said recently that AIDS and venereal disease virtually are non-existent among sex-film stars.

Industry concerns were heightened by a statement by Laurie Holmes, 24, whose porn star husband died March 13 of a form of pneumonia brought on by acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

"AIDS is running rapidly through the adult entertainment business," said Holmes' wife.

"It's my belief that AIDS is running rapidly through the adult entertainment business," said Holmes' wife, who once acted in porno films under the name Misty Dawn.

"That's not true. She is completely wrong, completely out of whack," said Ron Sullivan, a sex-film producer and president of the industry's 350-member Adult Video Association based in Los Angeles.

The association has organized a voluntary AIDS testing program for adult film actors and pays the $75 cost for those who participate.

Industry figures argued that they have avoided the AIDS plague by testing actors for AIDS infection and making sure the men use condoms and anti-viral spermicides. They also said the small inner-circle of pornographic performers are insistent on such safety measures.

Sullivan knew of no sex-film star who had contracted AIDS. It was not known how Holmes contracted AIDS, but in addition to his 14,000 claimed sexual episodes over the years, he used intravenous drugs, which also can spread the AIDS virus.

Nina Hartley, star in such adult fare as "Feminist Porno Actress" and "Intellectual Tinker Bell," said AIDS testing is common in the sex-film industry. She gave the celluloid sex business a clean bill of health.

"There is absolutely no evidence AIDS is rampant," said the 27-year-old San Francisco actress, who has appeared in adult films for four years. "AIDS testing is pretty common, but it's not mandatory."

Hartley, who suggests actors would jeopardize chances for key roles if they insisted on testing for their co-stars, knows of only a few sex stars who demand AIDS testing before movie lovemaking.

"Seka insists on it," she said, noting the Chicago-based performer who produces and stars in her own films, allowing her to call her own shots.

"Most of the veterans and people who have worked for quite a while really keep health conscious," porno star Angel Kelly said. "In the last six months we've even begun printing up a newsletter to all the actors and actresses with health tips."

Sullivan and Hartley said there are only about 100 active sex-film stars and that they are cautious.

"We are capable of taking care of ourselves, and we want the public to know that," said Sullivan, who organized the voluntary testing program.

"We're doing it because of the adverse publicity (after Holmes' death) saying that the industry is inundated with AIDS," he said.

Movie sex kitten Barbii said she gets tested regularly and insists that her partners be tested before she will have sex with them.

"Most girls don't take (AIDS) seriously," Barbii said. "People don't talk about it — it's kind of hush."

"I would characterize the business as clean, especially compared to... picking up someone in a bar," Hartley said.

But Hartley counters that fear of AIDS infection and other venereal diseases permeates the industry, and that prevention, detection and discretion have gained industry acceptance. "Safe sex scenes are more prevalent now," she said. "Not every scene uses a condom, and you won't see it (condom use) take over the industry, but more actors are using them."

"Anal sex scenes are less common now, and if a woman won't do it without a condom, it's OK with the producers," Hartley said. "We also use spermicides (which contain an anti-viral chemical) in every scene. Also in sex films, men never ejaculate internally."

AIDS is caused by a virus that damages the body's immune system, leaving victims susceptible to death from infections and cancer. It is spread through sexual contact, needles or syringes shared by drug abusers, transfusion of infected blood or blood products, or from an infected mother to her baby before or during birth.

"If there are people who believe they have a high-risk history and if they have the opportunity to be tested, they should take advantage of it," Dr. Martin Finn, medical director of Los Angeles County's AIDS program, said about sex-industry AIDS testing.

Finn said porn actors are considered at high risk for AIDS because they regularly have sex with multiple partners.

"We pay close attention to any symptoms. After all, our bodies are our livelihood," Hartley said. "Sure, I've had a couple scares in the business. But I would characterize the business as clean, especially compared to regular promiscuity, like picking up someone in a bar."

AFTERWORD:

At the height of his career, John Holmes, who had appeared in hundreds of films over a 13-year period, commanded up to $2,000 a day for his ... services. Holmes' death certificate says that the 43-year-old actor died of encephalitis, a swelling of the brain, as a result of AIDS. Evidence suggests that the star of the infamous 70s cult classic "Deep Throat" and the unchallenged king of porn had contracted the disease in 1986. He had tested negative for the virus in 1985, but a year later, after appearing in several films, a positive diagnosis was made. That same year, Holmes had a malignant tumor removed from his colon, but his manager denied rumors that Holmes had AIDS. Holmes' wife says she has since tested negative for AIDS.

Despite his wife's allegations, most of Holmes' colleagues insist the actor's $1000-a-day cocaine habit contributed to his death. At least a year before Holmes' death, the spread of AIDS was already having an effect on the porn industry.

Nothing will ruin an orgy scene quicker than someone passing out condoms.

Although Holmes is to date the only "star" reported to die of AIDS, porn producers had already acknowledged deaths among gay actors. They had also complained that health concerns were creating a serious shortage in available talent.

Industry-watchers predicted that if it did not adopt safety as a primary theme, public opinion and the government pressure would put it out of business. Thus 'safe-sex' films employing on-camera use of prophylactics and/or including safe sex reminders or disclaimers have begun to appear. The popular sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer has even provided a cameo appearance for one such film. Most folks in the business, however, regard these films as novelties. "It's not what America wants to see," one producer said, noting that people watch X-rated movies for sexual fantasies and not "hermetic sex." Nothing, they say, will ruin an orgy scene quicker than someone passing out condoms.