Antibody Maturation in Women Who Acquire HIV Infection While Using Antiretroviral Preexposure Prophylaxis
In this study, antibody maturation was evaluated using 3 serologic assays: the BED capture enzyme immunoassay (CEIA), the Bio-Plex (Luminex) assay, and the Bio-Rad avidity assay. Tests were performed using serum samples collected 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 36, 48, and >48 months after seroconversion from 95 women in the CAPRISA 004 trial (35 in the TFV gel arm and 60 in the placebo arm). For the BED CEIA and Luminex assay, linear mixed effects models were used to examine test results by study arm. Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to examine time to avidity cutoff. Anti-HIV antibody titers did not differ between study arm...
Source: The Journal of Infectious Diseases - August 6, 2015 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Laeyendecker, O., Redd, A. D., Nason, M., Longosz, A. F., Karim, Q. A., Naranbhai, V., Garrett, N., Eshleman, S. H., Abdool Karim, S. S., Quinn, T. C. Tags: HIV/AIDS Source Type: research
Prostaglandin vaginal gel induction of labor comparing amniotomy with repeat prostaglandin gel
This randomized controlled trial compared two protocols of induction of labor, to determine which was associated with the shorter duration of induced labor. (Source: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology)
Source: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology - August 4, 2015 Category: OBGYN Authors: Michael Beckmann, Sailesh Kumar, Vicki flenady, Ellen Harker Source Type: research
Repeated Vaginal SHIV Challenges in Macaques Receiving Oral or Topical Preexposure Prophylaxis Induce Virus-Specific T-Cell Responses
Conclusions: Virus-specific T-cell responses occur frequently in oral or topical PrEP-protected pigtail macaques after vaginal exposure to WT SHIV virus. The contribution of such immune responses to protection from infection during and after PrEP warrants further investigation. (Source: JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes)
Source: JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes - July 7, 2015 Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: Basic and Translational Science Source Type: research
Luteal phase support for assisted reproduction cycles.
CONCLUSIONS: Progesterone appears to be the best method of providing luteal phase support, as it is associated with higher rates of live birth or ongoing pregnancy than placebo, and lower rates of OHSS than hCG. Moreover, addition of one or more doses of GnRH agonists to progesterone is associated with higher live birth and ongoing pregnancy rates than progesterone alone. Overall, addition of other substances such as oestrogen or hCG does not seem to improve outcomes, and hCG is associated with higher risk of OHSS.The route of progesterone administration does not seem to matter.
PMID: 26148507 [PubMed - as supplied...
Source: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews - July 7, 2015 Category: Journals (General) Authors: van der Linden M, Buckingham K, Farquhar C, Kremer JA, Metwally M Tags: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Source Type: research
Tenofovir-Based Preexposure Prophylaxis for HIV Infection Among African Women
ABSTRACT: Reproductive-age African women and others at high risk of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection need effective interventions to prevent acquisition of this virus. Previous studies have demonstrated that daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) alone or TDF combined with emtricitabine (FTC) (TDF-FTC) reduces the risk of HIV transmission by at least 50% in men who have sex with men, heterosexuals, and injection-drug users (with greater effectiveness in subjects with high adherence to the regimen). However, daily tenofovir (TFV)–based regimens were foun...
Source: Obstetrical and Gynecological Survey - July 1, 2015 Category: OBGYN Tags: Gynecology: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Condoms, Lubricants and Rectal Cleansing: Practices Associated with Heterosexual Penile-Anal Intercourse Amongst Participants in an HIV Prevention Trial in South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe
Abstract
We investigated condom and lubricant use, rectal cleansing and rectal gel use for penile-anal intercourse (PAI), during in-depth interviews with women from South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe who formerly participated in VOICE, a five-arm HIV prevention trial of two antiretroviral tablets and a vaginal gel. Few studies have addressed practices related to PAI among women; existing data from Africa on condom and lubricant use for PAI, as well as preparatory practices of PAI such as rectal cleansing, are limited to men who have sex with men. Women demonstrated a lack of awareness of HIV transmission r...
Source: AIDS and Behavior - July 1, 2015 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
A Phase 3, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Vehicle-Controlled Study Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Metronidazole Vaginal Gel 1.3% in the Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis
Background: Bacterial vaginosis (BV), a prevalent infection in women of reproductive age, is associated with increased risk of upper genital tract and sexually transmitted infections, and complications in pregnancy. Currently approved treatments include metronidazole, which requires once or twice daily intravaginal administration for 5 days or twice daily oral administration for 7 days. This phase 3 study determined the safety and efficacy of single-dose metronidazole vaginal gel (MVG) 1.3%.
Methods: In this double-blind, vehicle-controlled study, 651 women with clinical diagnosis of BV were randomized 1:1 to receive MVG 1...
Source: Sexually Transmitted Diseases - June 12, 2015 Category: Sexual Medicine Tags: Original Study Source Type: research
A comparison between vaginal estrogen and vaginal hyaluronic for the treatment of dyspareunia in women using hormonal contraceptive
Conclusions Our study showed that vaginal supplementation with estriol 50 micrograms/g gel or with hyaluronic acid could reduce the de novo dyspareunia related to COC. In this cluster of patients, both treatments improve sexuality. However, estriol 50 micrograms/g gel appears to be significantly more effective in comparison with hyaluronic acid. (Source: European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology)
Source: European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology - June 4, 2015 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
Vaginal erbium laser: the second-generation thermotherapy for the genitourinary syndrome of menopause.
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Vaginal Erbium Laser (VEL) in the treatment of postmenopausal women (PMW) suffering from genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). GSM was assessed in PMW before and after VEL (1 treatment every 30 days, for 3 months; n=45); the results were compared with the effects of a standard treatment for GSM (1 g of vaginal gel containing 50 mcg of Estriol, twice weekly for 3 months; n=25). GSM was evaluated either with subjective (visual analog scale, VAS) and objective (Vaginal Health Index Score, VHIS) measures. In addition, in 19 of these PMW sufferi...
Source: Climacteric - June 1, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Gambacciani M, Levancini M, Cervigni M Tags: Climacteric Source Type: research
Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Adherence Measured by Plasma Drug Level in MTN-001: Comparison Between Vaginal Gel and Oral Tablets in Two Geographic Regions
We examined recent adherence as measured by plasma tenofovir (TFV) concentration in participants of MTN-001, a phase 2 cross-over trial comparing oral tablet and vaginal gel formulations of TFV among 144 HIV-uninfected women at sites in the United States (U.S.) and sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Adherence to daily product use was higher in the U.S. than in the SSA sites. Within region, however, adherence was similar between products. In the U.S., gel adherence was higher among married women, and lower among women using male condoms and injectable contraceptives. At the SSA sites, gel adherence was lower for younger women. Incon...
Source: AIDS and Behavior - May 13, 2015 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Male Partner Influence on Women’s HIV Prevention Trial Participation and Use of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis: the Importance of “Understanding”
Abstract
There is widespread evidence that male partners influence women’s ability and willingness to join HIV prevention trials and to use female-controlled prevention strategies such as microbicide gels. VOICE-C was an ancillary study to the Microbicide Trials Network’s VOICE trial at the Johannesburg site that explored social and structural factors influencing women’s use of study tablets and vaginal gel. Qualitative data were analyzed from 102 randomly-selected VOICE participants interviewed through in-depth interviews (IDI, n = 41); ethnographic interviews (n = 21) or focus group discussi...
Source: AIDS and Behavior - May 1, 2015 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Efficacy and safety of non-hormonal remedies for vaginal dryness - open prospective randomized trial.
CONCLUSIONS: Subjective and objective VVA symptoms were reliably and safely reduced by both non-hormonal topical products. However, efficacy and tolerability of CREAM were shown to be superior to GEL.
PMID: 25845406 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Climacteric)
Source: Climacteric - April 7, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Stute P, May TW, Masur C, Schmidts-Winkler IM Tags: Climacteric Source Type: research
The Sheep as a Model for Preclinical Safety and Pharmacokinetic Evaluations of Candidate Microbicides.
Abstract
When developing novel microbicide products for the prevention of HIV infection, the preclinical safety program must evaluate not only the active pharmaceutical ingredient but also the product itself. To that end we applied several relatively standard toxicology study methodologies to female sheep, incorporating assessment of the pharmacokinetics, safety, tolerability and local toxicity of a dapivirine-containing human vaginal ring formulation (Dapivirine Vaginal Ring-004). We performed a 3-month general toxicology study; a preliminary pharmacokinetic study using drug-loaded vaginal gel; and a deta...
Source: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy - April 6, 2015 Category: Microbiology Authors: Holt JD, Cameron D, Dias N, Holding J, Muntendam A, Oostebring F, Dreier P, Rohan L, Nuttall J Tags: Antimicrob Agents Chemother Source Type: research
Metronidazole Vaginal Gel 1.3% in the Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis: A Dose-Ranging Study
Conclusions: Metronidazole vaginal gel 1.3% applied once daily for 1, 3, or 5 days showed similar efficacy, safety, and tolerability as MVG 0.75% once daily for 5 days. (Source: Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease)
Source: Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease - March 27, 2015 Category: OBGYN Tags: Original Articles: Vulva and Vagina Source Type: research
The Effect of TrimoSan© Gel on the Rate of Pessary-associated Bacterial Vaginosis: A Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Trial
Pessaries are important nonsurgical options for women with pelvic floor disorders. However, more than 50% discontinue use within a year due to bothersome vaginal symptoms, which are often related to bacterial vaginosis (BV), an issue that is increased among pessary users. Our primary purpose was to evaluate the effect of TrimoSan©, a mildy acidic vaginal gel, on the prevalence of BV in new pessary wearers. (Source: The Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology)
Source: The Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology - February 27, 2015 Category: OBGYN Authors: K.V. Meriwether, R. Rogers, R.E. Gutman, S. Peterson, E. Craig, M. Rode, C. Iglesia Tags: Oral Poster 01 Source Type: research
