Despite indications of the acceptability of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) among certain populations (MSM in London (STI/Aghaizu & Nardone) 2013, and Australia (STI/Holt & De Wit) 2012), the extremely varied results that have emanated from large studies seeking to determine its efficacy and effectiveness as a preventative intervention remain a concern. To name the most important […]
Category: microbicides
The dapivirine ring: success at last for a vaginal microbicide?
The International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM) has just announced the launch of a trial (IPM 027) to evaluate the effectiveness of the antiretroviral (ARV) drug dapivirine delivered by means of a monthly replaceable vaginal ring (http://www.ipmglobal.org/node/670). The IPM study, which has enrolled 1,650 women at four sites in South Africa, is part of a broader […]
Putting Rectal Microbicides “On the Map”
17th April saw the launch of the report: On the Map: Assuring Africa’s Place in Rectal Microbicide Research and Advocacy by the International Rectal Microbicide Advocates (IRMA) On the Map: Ensuring Africa’s Place in Rectal Microbicide Research and Advocacy . The report has been developed by African advocates and researchers on the basis of an […]
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, […]