South African researchers have made a scientific breakthrough in the fight against AIDS, with a vaginal gel that significantly reduces a woman's risk of being infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
Since the epidemic began nearly 30 years ago, scientists have been searching for a vaginal microbicide that women could use to protect them from contracting HIV.
Now, two South African scientists with the Center for the AIDS Program of Research in South Africa, CAPRISA, say their clinical trials on 889 South African women show great promise. They will deliver the results of their two and half year study later Tuesday.
Photo: Opening session of the International AIDS Conference in Vienna Austria, 18 July 2010 the Associated Press.
However, AIDS activists and researchers are already celebrating the news. UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibe said the new gel is going to revolutionize HIV prevention for women.
"It is the first time we associate treatment products in the gels which can protect women up to 54 percent, which is amazing. Except for male circumcision, we never had, never, a prevention tool that can be controlled by women," said Sidibe.
Some 33 million people, worldwide, are infected with the HIV virus. About half of them are women. In Africa, more than 60 percent of new HIV infections are contracted by women and girls.
The new gel contains tenofovir, an antiretroviral drug that prevents HIV from growing in human cells. Dr. Kevin Decock, with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, said the microbicidal gel could empower women in protecting their health.
"A microbicide is a product a woman can use vaginally. It is under a woman's control. It means a woman can use this intervention without requiring the male partner to take the initiative," Decock said.
Women apply the gel 12 hours before sexual intercourse and a second time, as soon as possible within 12 hours afterwards. Michel Sidibe said the simplicity of the gel will be the key to its appeal and effectiveness.
"This simplification is the revolution part. I called for a prevention revolution," Sidibe said. "I'm so convinced that to fight this epidemic we need prevention, prevention and prevention."
The South African study found that, in addition to reducing HIV infection by 39 percent, use of the gel also reduced the rate of infection of herpes simplex two by 51 percent. Women who have the herpes virus are more vulnerable to contracting HIV.
Health researchers stress that the gel is only a prevention against HIV and herpes, not a contraceptive.
UNAIDS and the World Health Organization will convene a group of AIDS specialists next month in South Africa to discuss the next steps. If additional trials go well, the drug could come to market in a few years.
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