�
When applied as portion of a rectal gel, the drug tenofovir may prevent
HIV transmission, according to an subject field performed in macaque monkeys.
These results were released on August 4, 2008 in the open access
journal PLoS
Medicine.
In both heterosexuals and homosexuals, rectal social intercourse carries a
very danger of HIV transmission. Prophylactic measures so far get
focused on condoms and other physical barriers, so there is limited
information about the potential use of topical products for this type
of transmitting.
To investigate this potentiality new birth control device measure, Martin Cranage
of St. George'ss University of London and colleagues performed a study
in macaque monkeys. After diligence of the experimental gel, a
placebo, or no medication, human rectal exposure to HIV was faux
in the monkeys by exposure to Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), a
conformation of the disease that is specific to monkeys.
The researchers institute that the macaques pre-treated with rectal
tenofovir gel up to two hours before viral exposure were partly or
totally protexted from SIV infection. Untreated animals, along with
those treated with the placebo were infected with the virus. Notably,
some of the macaques given protection likewise developed T-cell immune
responses to the virus.
These findings indicate that bar of rectal HIV transmittance
might be achieved through and through topical treatment with antiretroviral drugs,
a powerful fresh tool for HIV prophylaxis. However, investigation this
will provide further challenges for scientists, because true efficaciousness
cannot be concluded in animals alone. Further, late human trials have
had some setbacks -- this is shown in a study of women victimisation
microbicide vaginally who actually showed increased rates of HIV
infection. Also, because of HIV's mechanism of attempt via activated
T-cells from the immune system, it is important to establish that the
noted immune reception does not increase subsequent infection with the
virus.
The authors conclude, optimistic despite these limitations, that there
is potential for topical applications of antiretroviral drugs. "There
may be potential difference for synergism between topical ARV/microbicide utilization and
vaccination as a two-pronged strategy for preventing infection with
HIV," they suppose.
Florian Hladik and Charlene Dezzutti, contributed an accompanying
Perspective noting the implications of this study on farther studies of
a alike nature, including continued purification of the animal models,
significant further pre-clinical inquiry, and molecular level
probe.
About PLoS Medicine
PLoS Medicine is an open access, freely useable
international medical journal. It publishes original research that
enhances our understanding of human wellness and disease, together with
commentary and analysis of important global health issues. For more than
information, visit http://www.plosmedicine.org/
About the Public Library of Science
The Public Library of Science (PLoS) is a nonprofit organization of
scientists and physicians committed to making the world's scientific
and medical literature a freely available public resource. For more
information, http://www.plos.org/
Prevention of SIV rectal transmission and priming of T cell
responses in macaques afterwards local preexposure application of tenofovir
colloidal gel.
Cranage M, Sharpe S, Herrera C, Cope A, Dennis M, et al.
PLoS Med 5(8): e157.
doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0050157
Click
Here For Full Length Article
Can a topical microbicide prevent rectal HIV transmission?
Hladik F, Dezzutti CS
PLoS Med 5(8): e167.
doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0050167
Click
Here For Full Length Perspective
Written by Anna Sophia McKenney
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
More information
