African Microbicide Trial Disappoints

[Guest guest]

African Microbicide Trial Disappoints

On February 18, researchers announced that a trial of a new vaginal

microbicide, Carraguard—the first microbicide to proceed to late-stage

testing—has yielded disappointing results, The China Post reports

(http://www.chinapost.com.tw, 2/18).

The trial, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, followed

more than 9,000 South African female volunteers from March 2004 through

March 2007. Of this group, around 27 percent were found to be HIV

positive and were disqualified. The remaining women were either given

Carraguard or a placebo gel.

By the end of the trial period, there were 134 new infections in the

Carraguard group and 151 in the placebo group.

However, the article notes that most of the women in the trial used the

microbicide only 44 percent of the time, which researchers say may have

skewed the results.

[Guest guest]

African Microbicide Trial Disappoints

On February 18, researchers announced that a trial of a new vaginal

microbicide, Carraguard—the first microbicide to proceed to late-stage

testing—has yielded disappointing results, The China Post reports

(http://www.chinapost.com.tw, 2/18).

The trial, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, followed

more than 9,000 South African female volunteers from March 2004 through

March 2007. Of this group, around 27 percent were found to be HIV

positive and were disqualified. The remaining women were either given

Carraguard or a placebo gel.

By the end of the trial period, there were 134 new infections in the

Carraguard group and 151 in the placebo group.

However, the article notes that most of the women in the trial used the

microbicide only 44 percent of the time, which researchers say may have

skewed the results.