Vaginal Ring That Prevents HIV Infection to be Tested in Africa

A Vaginal Ring that was invented to detect and protect women from getting infected with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is to be tested in Africa, after recorded success of trials amongst teenage girls in the US.

The Vaginal Ring, which can be used for a month at a time before disposal, contains an antiretroviral drug known as Dapivirine.

Dapivirine inhibits HIV’s reverse transcriptase enzyme, a protein vital to HIV’s ability to replicate and cause an infection.

The Vaginal rings, each contains one or more microbicides that will be delivered to the vaginal compartment at a high concentration and is subsequently absorbed directly by the cells and tissues.

The ring, which is flexible, sits on the cervix. It is said to cut the rate of infection by 56 percent. With this ring, women don't necessarily need to rely on men to wear condoms as they now have the freedom to protect themselves.

After six months of trial by the researchers, they found that 87 percent of ninety-six sexually active girls which took part had detectable levels of the drug in their vagina.

The study investigators concluded that the ring is safe and acceptable to young women.

“HIV doesn’t distinguish between a 16-year-old and an 18-year-old. Access to safe and effective HIV prevention shouldn’t either, young women of all ages deserve to be protected,” said Sharon Hillier, principal investigator and vice chair of the department of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

With a regulatory approval, the ring would be the first method of prevention exclusively for women.

The study was presented at the 9th International AIDS Society conference in Paris.

Via