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Protection against HIV and Herpes is possible with the Experimental Microbicide

by Medindia Content Team on Jan 30 2006 4:47 PM

Indevus Pharmaceuticals have come out with a new experimental Microbicide PRO 2000.

This protects a person against contracting HIV and the herpes simplex virus. The findings of the study were published in the journal of infectious diseases.

Microbicides are products such as gels, films and sponges that are used to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Betsy Herold and colleagues from Mount Sinai School of medicine obtained vaginal and cervical cell samples from 20 HIV positive women.

It was carefully seen to it that the samples were collected one hour before and after the vaginal application of the Microbicide PRO 2000 or a placebo gel.

This prevents the attachment of the HIV virus to human cells. When results were analyzed it was found that there was a great reduction in the HIV viral load in those who used the Microbicide tan those with the placebo gel.

Another research was conducted in which they analyzed the protein load in the women after sexual transmission of the HIV virus.

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This protein is very similar to and is cloned from the HIV virus and is transmitted via the mucosal routes.

The results showed that more than 99% of cervical and vaginal cells that were exposed to PRO 2000 did not contract the cloned HIV proteins. Apart from this it also showed anti-HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus) activity.

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Hence in conclusion this Microbicide might prove as an effective agent to prevent HIV and Herpes infections.


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