AIDS Vaginal Gel does not protect you from HIV

According to one study, the new vaginal gel offers no protection against the HIV virus.

(20.09.2010) Scientists and physicians had much hope for the development of a novel vaginal gel. The gel should protect against infection with the HIV virus. The gel is said to contain an active ingredient designed to prevent the AIDS virus from attaching to and subsequently entering cells in the body. In a four and a half year long study, the preparation Vaginal-Gel "PRO 2000" was tested. About 900 women participated in the African study. But the result was sobering: the application of the vaginal gel "PRO 2000" does not protect women from an infection with the HI virus. The study was now more the third and for the approval of the drug a crucial test phase. According to a long-term study, the remedy "PRO 2000" is harmless to health but also not effective against the AIDS virus. The results of the study were published today in the British journal "The Lancet".

During the study, study participants either received the gel in two different doses or received an ineffective placebo. All subjects were informed about the risks of AIDS and were additionally supplied with condoms. AIDS researchers and human rights activists have hoped that the AIDS epidemic will be contained in Africa in particular.

Currently, another gel called "CAPRISA 004" is being tested. The protective gel and was presented at the recent International AIDS Conference. According to researchers, the gel should reduce HIV infection risk by 40 percent. The results of a study are still pending. (Sb)

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