For prevention of HIV infection many currently licensed anti-HIV drugs and new ones in the pipeline show potential as topically applied microbicides. While macaque models have been the gold standard for in vivo microbicide testing, they are expensive and sufficient numbers are not available. Therefore, a small animal model that facilitates rapid evaluation of potential candidates for their prel...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of vaginal disinfection with chlorhexidine gel during labor on vertical transmission of group B streptococcus, as a method to prevent vertical transmission and subsequent neonatal early onset group B streptococcal disease. STUDY DESIGN A prospective study with randomization of 1020 parturients to one of three groups as soon as labor started. In all parturients...

Changes in the indigenous vaginal microflora with uropathogenic bacteria can predispose women to frequently recurring bacterial cystitis. Lactobacilli used as probiotics have played an important role in preventing the colonization of pathogenic bacteria in the vagina. A prospective clinical pilot study was performed to confirm the safety and effectiveness of Lactobacillus vaginal suppositories ...

Background: We sought to compare the effectiveness and safety of sublingual versus vaginal misoprostol for the termination of pregnancy with a live full-term fetus.Methods: This randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed on 200 primiparous women with normal, singleton, full-term pregnancies candidated for the induction of labor. Sublingual and vaginal tablets cont...

III. Involving T-cell responses: Another therapeutic vaccine in development is designed to include CD4+ T cell responses in HIV infected people. CD4+ T cells play a important role in immune protection against viral infections. Deficits in CD4+ t cells are associated with virus reactivation, vulnerability to opportunistic infections and poor vaccine efficacy. For HIV/ AIDS, the introduction of n...

BACKGROUND Objective biomarkers of product use and protocol compliance are urgently needed. We compared the sensitivity and specificity of DNA and protein-based biomarkers, obtained from used vaginal gel applicators, to visual inspection of those applicators under ambient light (visual inspection of returned applicator [VIRA]) and ultraviolet light (UVL). METHODS Forty women inserted hydroxye...

The presence of an abnormal vaginal microflora in early pregnancy is a risk factor for preterm delivery. There is no investigation on vaginal flora dominated by lactic acid bacteria and possible association with preterm delivery. We assessed the dominant vaginal Lactobacillus species in healthy pregnant women in early pregnancy in relation to pregnancy outcome. We observed 111 low risk pregnant...

Hydrophilic intravaginal tablets based on methylcellulose and containing lactic acid component with chitosan undergo swelling under standard conditions. A high flow-limit of the gel that originates from the tablets as well as its dynamic viscosity should allow for the durable dosage form in the vagina. By choosing the 1:1 ratio of lactic acid to chitosan, it is possible to obtain tablets disint...

A regimen of treatment for vaginitis combining the use of a povidone-iodine solution for swabbing, a povidone-iodine vaginal gel for application at night and a povidone-iodine douche for use in the morning, was evaluated in 93 courses of treatment in 87 patients with monilial or trichomonal vaginitis or a combination of both. In monilial vaginitis, symptoms were cleared and negative laboratory ...