( Scientists are one step closer to devel...)Living anti-HIV gel shows early promise

The researchers genetically modified bacteria that are normally present in the body to make them produce a protein that stops the HIV virus from infecting cells.

They say that allowing these bacteria to colonise the internal body surfaces where HIV transmission can occur through sexual activity, could offer cost-effective, efficient and long-lasting protection against the virus.

The team, led by Srinivas Rao, chief of laboratory animal medicine at the Vaccine Research Center of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, published their findings last week (23 August) in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Rao's team showed that the modified bacteria colonised the intestines and vaginas of mice for periods of weeks to months, without causing any signs of disease. Furthermore, the modified bacteria produced large quantities of the HIV-blocking protein.

The reproductive and intestinal tracts are prime sites for HIV infection. Various microbes live in each, playing an important role in defending the body against harmful organisms.

The researchers hope that adding modified bacteria to these existing microbes could help prevent HIV transmission, especially in developing countries. They point out that if the bacteria successfully colonise and reproduce, protection can be long-lasting.

Short-lasting creams against HIV/AIDS would need to be applied regularly before sex and this is likely to limit their use, say the researchers.

In an article published yesterday (August 30) in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Laurel Lagenaur and Edward Berger of the US National Institutes of Health, point out that modified bacteria would be easy to produce, store and distribute.

But they add that before human trials ca
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Source:SciDev.Net