Major HIV Breakthrough. 19/7/10

Reduced risk of infection by HIV by 39% overall

Vienna - Scientists on Monday 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 reduced risk of infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by 39% overall, but by 54% among those women who adhered most to it, they said.

The study coincided with the six-day 18th International Aids Conference, which opened in Vienna on Sunday.

The results must now be validated in a third, wider phase in the arduous process of assessing a new medication for safety and effectiveness.

Although several questions have to be answered, the findings amount to a bright ray of hope in the 29-year campaign against acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (Aids), the researchers 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.