News

Microbicide gel found to reduce AIDS risk in women

20 July 2010

News sources world-wide are buzzing this morning with the results of a South African study which suggests that a woman’s risk of infection with HIV can be significantly cut by the use of a vaginal gel containing the antiretroviral drug tenofovir.

The research, which will be presented today at the 18th International AIDS Conference in Vienna, was leaked out a day early, sending a wave of optimism through the AIDS research community.

While far from perfect, the gel was unambiguously helpful, reducing the risk of HIV infection by 39 percent in a group of women who used it for about three-quarters of their sexual encounters. Those who used it more consistently experienced 54 percent fewer infections.

The CAPRISA study is the first completed trial of an antiretroviral microbicide gel, which women would use before and after sex to prevent HIV acquisition. The trial randomised 889 urban and rural South African women to use tenofovir or placebo, and follow-up continued for up to 30 months. All previous microbicide trials involved agents other than antiretrovirals, and all failed to protect women from HIV.

Of the 33 million people worldwide infected with the AIDS virus, 16 million are women. In Africa, 60 percent of people with HIV infection are women, nearly all of whom acquired the virus through sex. For many, the proven methods of preventing infection, such as abstinence, being faithful and using condoms, are either not an option or out of their control. A vaginal microbicide that could be used with or without a man’s knowledge is considered essential, missing until now.

The XVIII International AIDS Conference has gathered a number of links and statements on their blog to assist the public understand the CAPRISA Microbicide Trial Results, which will be presented at 13:00.