February 25, 2008

Microbicide Proven Safe for Women

Scientists from the United States and India announced today that a vaginal microbicide gel currently in the trial stages is safe for daily use, Agence France-Presse reports (afp.google.com, 2/25). The findings were presented at the 2008 Microbicide Convention in New Delhi.

Researchers asked 200 HIV-negative sexually active women from New York and Pune, India, to use the experimental tenofovir gel for six months in addition to condoms. AFP reports that after that period, none of the women suffered disruption of kidney, blood or liver function, with more than 90 percent of women saying that they would use the gel if it were approved as being effective in preventing HIV transmission.

“Based on what we have learned we can proceed with greater confidence on a path that will answer whether tenofovir gel and other gels with HIV-specific compounds will be able to prevent sexual transmission of HIV in women when other approaches have failed to do so,” says lead researcher Sharon Hillier of the University of Pittsburg School of Medicine.

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Previous Comments:

susie, council bluffs, 2008-02-27 09:40:17
I also want to know if it will prefent a women who is HIV+ from giving it to her partner if he doesnt have HIV.Once again for all of us who are positive,God Bless!!!!

Barb, San Luis Obispo, 2008-02-26 15:52:39
This is fine for women who are sexually active with a man who can achieve orgasm wearing a condom.

Susan, Boston, MA, 2008-02-26 09:11:02
What about a microbicide that HIV+ women can use to not infect their HIV- male partners? Does this work in that way, too?