How vaginal bacteria stop preventive drugs from protecting women against infection quoting : IBT

The study published in the journal Science now highlights the central role of vaginal bacteria in this process. Certain types of vaginal bacteria appear to reduce the efficacy of a common preventive treatment against HIV, tenofovir. Vaginal bacteria communitiesThe vagina contains many microbial species which can be critical for women's sexual health. In the past few years, new molecular tools have allowed scientists to learn more about vaginal bacteria. Although there is great heterogeneity between women, scientists have been able to categorise these bacteria communities into two groups: lactobacillus-dominant communities and non- lactobacillus-dominant communities.




For now, Klatt said simple, relatively inexpensive pH tests can indicate if a woman lacks protective vaginal bacteria. Those other drugs must be tested to tell whether vaginal bacteria might undermine them, too, Hillier said. A new study published Thursday examined what stalled an early attempt at an anti-HIV gel, and found certain types of vaginal bacteria broke down the protective medication before it had time to work. The research re-examined an early vaginal gel containing the AIDS drug tenofovir that had seemed partially protective in one study only to fail in another. The tenofovir gel reduced HIV infection by 61 percent in women who harbored the mostly healthy lactobacilli — but by only 18 percent in women with the less healthy vaginal bacteria, researchers reported in the journal Science.

Women's bacteria thwarted attempt at anti-HIV vaginal gel

For now, Klatt said simple, relatively inexpensive pH tests can indicate if a woman lacks protective vaginal bacteria. Those other drugs must be tested to tell whether vaginal bacteria might undermine them, too, Hillier said. A new study published Thursday examined what stalled an early attempt at an anti-HIV gel, and found certain types of vaginal bacteria broke down the protective medication before it had time to work. The research re-examined an early vaginal gel containing the AIDS drug tenofovir that had seemed partially protective in one study only to fail in another. The tenofovir gel reduced HIV infection by 61 percent in women who harbored the mostly healthy lactobacilli — but by only 18 percent in women with the less healthy vaginal bacteria, researchers reported in the journal Science.


collected by :Lucy William

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