[afro-nets] Science Magazine Examines HIV Prevention Strategies

[Leela McCullough <leela@healthnet.org>]

Science Magazine Examines HIV Prevention Strategies
---------------------------------------------------

16 August 2005
http://www.kaisernetwork.org

Science magazine in its Aug 12 issue examined a number of HIV
prevention strategies currently under development that some say
should be given more resources than vaccine development. The
strategies include:
* Circumcision: A recent study of 3,000 HIV-negative men in
South Africa found that circumcision can reduce by about 65% the
risk of men contracting HIV through sexual intercourse with
women. Similar circumcision studies are under way in Kenya and
Uganda;

* Treating Pre-Existing Herpes Infection: A study conducted
about five years ago in four African cities found that a pre-
existing herpes infection increased the risk of HIV transmis-
sion. Connie Celum with the http://www.washington.edu/ Univer-
sity of Washington in Seattle is leading two international tri-
als of acyclovir, which is used daily to treat herpes, to see
whether suppressing herpes can prevent HIV transmission. If the
drug works, it could affect the HIV/AIDS pandemic because more
than 80% of HIV-positive adults are co-infected with herpes;

* Antiretroviral Drugs: Other prevention trials are focusing on
whether antiretrovirals might be helpful in preventing HIV
transmission. The http://www.hptn.org/index.htm HIV Prevention
Trials Network, sponsored by http://www.nih.gov/ NIH's
http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/ National Institute of Allergy and In-
fectious Diseases, recently launched a study of antiretroviral
treatment involving 1,750 couples worldwide;

* Microbicides: Five efficacy trials of vaginal microbicides are
currently under way, and one study is examining microbicides
that can be placed in the rectum. Researchers also are looking
into incorporating antiretrovirals such as tenofovir into micro-
bicides;

* Early Detection: Scientists also are looking at ways to im-
prove HIV detection at early stages of infection, when the risk
of transmission is highest;

* Diaphragms: Another study is looking at how the diaphragm and
a lubricant can help prevent HIV transmission. Nancy Padian with
the http://www.ucsf.edu/ University of California-San Francisco,
who is conducting studies of the diaphragm in Zimbabwe and South
Africa, said the device might help prevent the virus from reach-
ing the cervix and endocervix, where most female infections oc-
cur;

* Gels: Other scientists are conducting a study in Kenya to dis-
cover whether wiping the penis with an ethanol-based gel can
prevent transmission of HIV, herpes and other sexually transmit-
ted diseases;

* Antidepressants: A researcher in San Francisco will launch a
study this fall that will evaluate the impact of antidepressants
on HIV transmission. Previous studies have indicated a connec-
tion between
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/linkfwd.php?type=kw&link=http://
www.patienthealthinternational.com/ncm.aspx?type=article&param=501583
depression in men who have sex with men and risky sexual
behavior (Cohen, Science, 8/12).

"Reprinted with permission from http://www.kaisernetwork.org.
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--
Leela McCullough, Ed.D.
Director of Information Services

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