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At the recent 12th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in Boston, Dr. Marla J. Keller, a Mt. Sinai School of Medicine professor, and colleagues presented a study they hope will yield a vaginal microbicide effective against HIV and herpes simplex virus.

In an effectiveness pilot study in 20 HIV-positive women, 10 women received the PRO 2000 gel intravaginally and 10 women received a placebo gel. One hour later, researchers collected secretions and examined them for viral infection. PRO 2000 significantly reduced virus levels and did not cause an inflammatory response. A new 14-day study already underway will assess whether repeated applications cause undesirable side effects. In addition, a larger study involving 3,000 women at nine sites has received financing, said Keller.

Dr. Betsy Herold, a senior author of the report, said the team is being careful not to repeat the mistake made with nonoxynol-9, a lubricant initially thought to protect against HIV that is now believed to increase HIV risk.

Editor's Note: from the New York Times