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Microbicides: an emerging science of HIV‐1 prevention in women—15th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, Boston, USA, 3–6 February 2008
Author(s) -
Saïdi Héla
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
reviews in medical virology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.06
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1099-1654
pISSN - 1052-9276
DOI - 10.1002/rmv.601
Subject(s) - microbicides for sexually transmitted diseases , microbicide , condom , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , medicine , sexual transmission , transmission (telecommunications) , vaginal microbicide , family medicine , environmental health , virology , population , syphilis , telecommunications , engineering , health services
Abstract Women account for almost 60% of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) infections in Sub‐Saharan Africa. HIV‐1 prevention tools such as condoms, abstinence and monogamy are not always feasible options for women due to various socio‐economic and cultural factors. Microbicides are anti‐microbial medications formulated for topical administration to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV‐1 and other pathogens. Ideally, they will afford bidirectional protection to both men and women who are engaged in vaginal or anal sex. Since the use of condom is often difficult or impossible, this multifunctional role of microbicides will be crucial in the fight against AIDS. The 15th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) was recently held in Boston, USA, where one of the most interesting subject area discussed by researchers from all around the world was the latest developments and understandings in microbicide‐related basic science and pre‐clinical product development as well as in product manufacturing and formulation that address the issue of user adherence. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.