Update: HIV vaginal gel failure
Martin
PRO2000. In February 2009 "Campaigners were celebrating the results a
trial of a microbicide to prevent HIV that has produced a positive
result, the first one to do so." See Usenet article
<869.1234210...@hiv-poz.co.uk> or
<http://www.hiv-poz.co.uk/articles/index.php?article=869.1234210...@hiv-poz.co.uk>.
Yet a new, larger, study "failed to find any positive effect" from
using the gel. Quelle surprise.
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8408108.stm>:
----- Begin Quote -----
A major trial of a vaginal microbicide has produced no evidence that
its use reduces the risk of HIV infection in women.
The gel, PRO 2000, is intended for use before sexual intercourse to
help reduce HIV infection.
It was tested in a trial involving 9,385 women in four African
countries.
The risk of HIV infection was not significantly different among women
supplied with the gel than in women given a placebo gel.
[...]
A previous, smaller trial suggested PRO 2000 could reduce the risk of
HIV infection by 30%.
But the latest study, carried out by the Microbicides Development
Programme, a not-for-profit partnership of 16 African and European
research institutions, failed to find any positive effect.
And the researchers say the trial was large enough to provide
conclusive results.
----- End Quote -----
--
<http://www.hiv-poz.co.uk/>
14 years, 11 months and 21 days.