MSI Microbicides Monitor: 25-31 August 2009
Issue 3
Monday, 31 August 2009
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The MSI Microbicides Monitor provides a weekly snapshot of major news pieces on microbicides research, advocacy and development from around the world, including news highlights from countries where clinical trials are taking place, and links to major microbicides-related events or other advocacy opportunities. This is issue 3 (25-31 August 2009):
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The battle in Uganda over female condoms
On the surface, it seems like a fine idea; reproductive rights groups certainly think so. In July, the Ugandan government announced that, using cash from the U.N. Population Fund, it would distribute 100,000 female condoms in a bid to stop a resurgence of HIV/AIDS. Advocates cheered the initiative, saying it would give women more control over their own bodies. But in the weeks since, major funders of anti-HIV/AIDS programs have shown far less enthusiasm, with many deciding not to back the plan. Instead of serving as a surefire weapon against the spread of HIV, Uganda's female condoms initiative has become the latest example of the limitations faced by governments, advocacy groups and donors in the fight against the virus. Read more
Commercial sex workers recycle condoms in Kasama
SOME commercial sex workers in Kasama are repeatedly using one condom with different sexual partners. This is according to a latest survey conducted by the Network of Zambian People Living with HIV and AIDS (NZP+), Kasama chapter in different nightclubs and drinking places. In an interview, NZP+ district board chairperson Joseph Chitupa said it was worrying to see sex workers not following the stipulated instructions on the usage of female condoms. Chitupa said the sex workers' action to use one condom with different partners was risking their clients as they may contract Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) including HIV. Read more
Six-African country Microbicides study will present results in November 2009
A microbicide study involving 11 000 women from six African countries will present its results in November, deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe told a South African National AIDS Council conference. "Positive results would add to the tools that women could use to protect themselves from HIV," Motlanthe said at the HIV prevention for women and girls summit in Kempton Park. "Many women, especially those who live in poor settings, do not have the ability or the knowledge to negotiate safer sex, this despite the fact that we have a Constitution that is deeply rooted in a human rights culture," he said. Read more
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Upcoming events related to Microbicides
Microbicides International Conference, 2010 - Building bridges in HIV Prevention, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, USA (22-25 May 2010)
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Produced and disseminated by Citizen News Service (CNS) for Microbicides Society of India (MSI)
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
MSI Microbicides Monitor: 11-24 August 2009
MSI Microbicides Monitor: 11-24 August 2009
Issue 2
Monday, 24 August 2009
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The MSI Microbicides Monitor provides a weekly snapshot of major news pieces on microbicides research, advocacy and development from around the world, including news highlights from countries where clinical trials are taking place, and links to major microbicides-related events or other advocacy opportunities. This is issue 2 (11-24 August 2009):
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Six-African country Microbicides study will present results in November 2009
A microbicide study involving 11 000 women from six African countries will present its results in November, deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe told a South African National AIDS Council conference. "Positive results would add to the tools that women could use to protect themselves from HIV," Motlanthe said at the HIV prevention for women and girls summit in Kempton Park. "Many women, especially those who live in poor settings, do not have the ability or the knowledge to negotiate safer sex, this despite the fact that we have a Constitution that is deeply rooted in a human rights culture," he said. Read more
Gel could block HIV like a condom
The 'molecular condom' was designed by scientists at the University of Utah in the United States. If it passes clinical trials, it will enable women to protect themselves against HIV without approval from their partners. Women would insert it before intercourse and the acidic conditions of the vagina would ensure it remained liquid, allowing it to coat the vaginal walls and therefore the cells vulnerable to HIV infection. The presence of semen makes the vagina less acidic, and it is expected that this change in pH will cause the molecules within the gel to interact and turn semisolid. The resulting mesh would be so small, virus particles would be unable to penetrate. Unlike existing microbicides, this molecular condom appears not to be affected by high temperatures, making it potentially suitable for use in hot developing countries. Read more
How condoms for men could be a thing of the past
For years, researchers have been working on microbicides (intravaginal gels, rings, and films) that can prevent the transmission of viruses such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Only a handful ever made it to human clinical trial, and ran into issues such as women not using them, or the antiviral drugs in the microbicides not lasting long enough. Some microbicides even seemed to increase the risk of transmission. Read more
Elusive 'holy grail' - an effective microbicide or a vaccine
The behavioural scientists at the recently concluded 5th International AIDS Society (IAS) Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention (Cape Town, South Africa) were keen to emphasise that HIV prevention will need to include a range of responses such as continuing safe sex behaviour, circumcision, plus the elusive ‘holy grail’ – an effective microbicide or vaccine. Read more
-------------------------------
Upcoming events related to Microbicides
Microbicides International Conference, 2010 - Building bridges in HIV Prevention, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, USA (22-25 May 2010)
-------------------------------
Produced and disseminated by Citizen News Service (CNS) for Microbicides Society of India (MSI)
Issue 2
Monday, 24 August 2009
--------------------------
The MSI Microbicides Monitor provides a weekly snapshot of major news pieces on microbicides research, advocacy and development from around the world, including news highlights from countries where clinical trials are taking place, and links to major microbicides-related events or other advocacy opportunities. This is issue 2 (11-24 August 2009):
--------------------------
Six-African country Microbicides study will present results in November 2009
A microbicide study involving 11 000 women from six African countries will present its results in November, deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe told a South African National AIDS Council conference. "Positive results would add to the tools that women could use to protect themselves from HIV," Motlanthe said at the HIV prevention for women and girls summit in Kempton Park. "Many women, especially those who live in poor settings, do not have the ability or the knowledge to negotiate safer sex, this despite the fact that we have a Constitution that is deeply rooted in a human rights culture," he said. Read more
Gel could block HIV like a condom
The 'molecular condom' was designed by scientists at the University of Utah in the United States. If it passes clinical trials, it will enable women to protect themselves against HIV without approval from their partners. Women would insert it before intercourse and the acidic conditions of the vagina would ensure it remained liquid, allowing it to coat the vaginal walls and therefore the cells vulnerable to HIV infection. The presence of semen makes the vagina less acidic, and it is expected that this change in pH will cause the molecules within the gel to interact and turn semisolid. The resulting mesh would be so small, virus particles would be unable to penetrate. Unlike existing microbicides, this molecular condom appears not to be affected by high temperatures, making it potentially suitable for use in hot developing countries. Read more
How condoms for men could be a thing of the past
For years, researchers have been working on microbicides (intravaginal gels, rings, and films) that can prevent the transmission of viruses such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Only a handful ever made it to human clinical trial, and ran into issues such as women not using them, or the antiviral drugs in the microbicides not lasting long enough. Some microbicides even seemed to increase the risk of transmission. Read more
Elusive 'holy grail' - an effective microbicide or a vaccine
The behavioural scientists at the recently concluded 5th International AIDS Society (IAS) Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention (Cape Town, South Africa) were keen to emphasise that HIV prevention will need to include a range of responses such as continuing safe sex behaviour, circumcision, plus the elusive ‘holy grail’ – an effective microbicide or vaccine. Read more
-------------------------------
Upcoming events related to Microbicides
Microbicides International Conference, 2010 - Building bridges in HIV Prevention, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, USA (22-25 May 2010)
-------------------------------
Produced and disseminated by Citizen News Service (CNS) for Microbicides Society of India (MSI)
Thursday, August 13, 2009
MSI Microbicides Monitor: 3-10 August 2009
MSI Microbicides Monitor: 3-10 August 2009
Issue 1
Monday, 10 August 2009
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The MSI Microbicides Monitor provides a weekly snapshot of major news pieces on microbicides research, advocacy and development from around the world, including news highlights from countries where clinical trials are taking place, and links to major microbicides-related events or other advocacy opportunities. This is issue 1 (3-10 August 2009):
Molecular Condom' may protect women from HIV
Women who are fed up with their partners not wearing condoms during sex may soon have a new tool to protect themselves against HIV infection. Scientists at the University of Utah have created a gel that women can apply internally that works as a “molecular condom” to block the virus from entering the vagina. Their findings were published online yesterday in the journal Advanced Functional Materials. The distribution of this gel could greatly reduce the transmission of HIV in both developing and developed countries, while offering women a discreet way to take control of their sexual health. Read more
MU researchers pioneer HIV cream
The new product would help stop the spread of HIV between sexual partners. The product is a cream that either partner can apply before sexual contact, which then kills the virus before it spreads to the other partner. "This compound has been shown to work extremely well and actually work much better than leading candidates for microbicides that are currently in clinical trials," said Stefan G. Sarafianos, an assistant professor of microbiology and immunology in MU's School of Medicine. Read more
CMA Awards medal of honour to Mark A Weinberg (who chaired Microbicides 2000 in Washington DC)
The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) will present the 2009 CMA Medal of Honour to Dr. Mark A. Wainberg, one of the first Canadian scientists to study HIV/AIDS and tireless global advocate for funding of HIV intervention programs and universal access to prevention, care
and treatment programs. Read more
-------------------------------
Upcoming events related to Microbicides
Microbicides International Conference, 2010 - Building bridges in HIV Prevention, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, USA (22-25 May 2010)
-------------------------------
Produced and disseminated by Citizen News Service (CNS) for Microbicides Society of India (MSI)
Issue 1
Monday, 10 August 2009
--------------------------
The MSI Microbicides Monitor provides a weekly snapshot of major news pieces on microbicides research, advocacy and development from around the world, including news highlights from countries where clinical trials are taking place, and links to major microbicides-related events or other advocacy opportunities. This is issue 1 (3-10 August 2009):
Molecular Condom' may protect women from HIV
Women who are fed up with their partners not wearing condoms during sex may soon have a new tool to protect themselves against HIV infection. Scientists at the University of Utah have created a gel that women can apply internally that works as a “molecular condom” to block the virus from entering the vagina. Their findings were published online yesterday in the journal Advanced Functional Materials. The distribution of this gel could greatly reduce the transmission of HIV in both developing and developed countries, while offering women a discreet way to take control of their sexual health. Read more
MU researchers pioneer HIV cream
The new product would help stop the spread of HIV between sexual partners. The product is a cream that either partner can apply before sexual contact, which then kills the virus before it spreads to the other partner. "This compound has been shown to work extremely well and actually work much better than leading candidates for microbicides that are currently in clinical trials," said Stefan G. Sarafianos, an assistant professor of microbiology and immunology in MU's School of Medicine. Read more
CMA Awards medal of honour to Mark A Weinberg (who chaired Microbicides 2000 in Washington DC)
The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) will present the 2009 CMA Medal of Honour to Dr. Mark A. Wainberg, one of the first Canadian scientists to study HIV/AIDS and tireless global advocate for funding of HIV intervention programs and universal access to prevention, care
and treatment programs. Read more
-------------------------------
Upcoming events related to Microbicides
Microbicides International Conference, 2010 - Building bridges in HIV Prevention, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, USA (22-25 May 2010)
-------------------------------
Produced and disseminated by Citizen News Service (CNS) for Microbicides Society of India (MSI)
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