Scanning electron micrograph of HIV-1 budding from cultured lymphocyte.
Credit: Cynthia Goldsmith/CDC
VIENNA: Scientists reported a major stride towards a vaginal gel that can thwart HIV, a goal that would be of huge benefit to African women bearing the brunt of the AIDS pandemic.
A prototype cream tested in South Africa curbed the risk of infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by 39% overall, but by 54% among those women who used it most consistently, they said.
The study coincided with the six-day 18th International AIDS Conference in Vienna, where leading campaigners responded with cheers leavened with some caution.
Hope for 6 out of 10 women
A wider trial has to be completed to scrutinise the gel for safety and efficacy, and several important questions must be answered. Even so, this is a bright ray of hope, the scientists said.
"Without this gel, we may see 10 women becoming infected in a year. With this gel, we would see only six women becoming infected," said Salim Abdool Karim, one of the two leading co-researchers.
Leading figures in the fight against AIDS applauded loudly, but also sounded a note of prudence.
"We are giving hope to women. For the first time we have seen results for a woman-initiated and -controlled HIV prevention option," said Michel Sidibe, executive director of the UN agency UNAIDS.
World Health Organisation welcomes news
"If confirmed, a microbicide will be a powerful option for the prevention revolution and help us to break the trajectory of the AIDS epidemic."
The World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Margaret Chan vowed the UN agency would work hard to speed up access to the product, once it is proven to be safe and effective.
Twenty-five million people have been slain by AIDS today and more than 33 million others today are infected by HIV, which causes the disease.
More than two-thirds of these live in sub-Saharan Africa, where 60% of new infections occur among women and girls.
