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(Ivanhoe Newswire) Drugs already used to treat patients with HIV may also help prevent the vaginal transmission of the disease. Researchers say this study shows that existing drugs could help curtail the spread of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
The study was done in humanized mice meaning the mice had fully functional human immune systems and infection-fighting cells in their bodies. These mice better replicate the human body, according to researchers.
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Study authors found almost 90 percent of the humanized mice inoculated vaginally with HIV became infected with the virus. However, none of the humanized mice given the anti-retroviral drugs emtricitabine (FTC) tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) had any evidence of infection.
Researchers say HIV is predominantly transmitted by unprotected sexual contact with a partner. Women are more susceptible than men to HIV infection and more women are being infected now than any other time during the history of the AIDS epidemic. While taking medication on a regular basis in case one is exposed HIV is not advantageous, it could be beneficial in areas where likelihood of exposure is significantly higher. Researchers say they now need to do additional research, including trials in humans, to determine if these results can be replicated.
This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, which offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, click on: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.
SOURCE: Published online in the journal PLoS Medicine, Jan. 14, 2008
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