Microbicides for prevention of sexually transmitted infections: Current status and strategies for preclinical evaluation of new candidates

FERNÁNDEZ-ROMERO JÓSE A; GIL PEDRO; RÉ VIVIANA; ROBBIANI MELISSA; PAGLINI GABRIELA

REVISTA ARGENTINA DE MICROBIOLOGíA

ASOCIACION ARGENTINA MICROBIOLOGIA

Lugar: Buenos Aires; Año: 2014 vol. 46 p. 256 - 268

0325-7541

Abstract Microbicides are a new tool, still under investigation, which could help in preventing infection by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Increasing evidence shows that the complexity of the sexual transmission of viral pathogens requires the identification of compounds able to block the early events during the virus infection cycle. In this manuscript we provide a comprehensive review of the different microbicide strategies that have been studied or are being considered for STI prevention, with particular emphasis on those with the potential to block HIV infection. The manuscript also reviews the complex process required to reach clinical studies in humans and concludes with a brief discussion of strategies that could be part of the immediate future in microbicides research.