One potential approach to HIV prevention attracting much current interest is the use of “pre-exposure prophylaxis” (PrEP). This involves taking anti-retroviral drugs (ARV) before exposure to HIV in order to reduce the risk of transmission. In parallel with clinical trials currently underway to establish the efficacy of PrEP, an important body of research is investigating […]
Category: HIV infection
A biomarker for the efficacy of new antiretroviral microbicides?
A recent study claims to have proved the correlation between HIV-1 RNA in the genital secretions of infected individuals and HIV transmission (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient ρ was 0.56 for endocervical samples, and 0.55 for semen). Mechanisms of transmission of HIV transmission through genital mucosa are still not well understood. But, prior to this study, […]
Why did the HIV epidemic decline in Zimbabwe ?
Why did Zimbabwe experience a remarkable decline in HIV prevalence, from 29% to 16% of adult population between 1997 and 2007, with incidence decline strongly accelerated between about 1999 and 2003? Why was this decline experienced in Zimbabwe and not in other countries? Are there lessons to be learnt from Zimbabwe’s experience? Basing itself on […]