HIV Digest	HIV Digest Archive

Dr. Peter Kilmarx of the CDC is coordinating early trials of a microbicide called Carraguard that is derived from the seaweed Chrondrus crispus. "This seaweed is used already in foods and cosmetics and has been shown in animal studies to have no significant problems of irritation," Kilmarx said.

According to US clinical researcher Professor Ken Mayer, about 50 different chemical cocktails are being studied worldwide for their potential ability to kill sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, but only four are ready for human trials. "The likelihood is that at least in the next few decades, even if we have a vaccine or a safe microbicide, neither is going to be 100 percent effective, so I think you probably want to have both on board, given how serious HIV is," Mayer said.

View our poll archive

Yet despite the urgent need for a topical gel or cream to fight HIV and STDs, the impetus to develop them comes from small biotech companies, private foundations and public research facilities, with little interest from multinational pharmaceutical companies, Mayer said.

The microbicide movement was dealt a setback when poor trial outcomes resulted in the abandonment of the compound N-9. But four other compounds appear promising, including a family of compounds that work by inhibiting HIV from binding to cells.

Editor's Note: from the Australian Associated Press