GENEVA, Switzerland, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- Trials of a treatment to stop the spread of HIV in women were stopped after those using the treatment had higher rates of infection, the U.N. health agency says.
Officials from the World Health Organization and the Joint U.N. Program on HIV/AIDS said Thursday they don't know why there were more infections among the women using the treatment than those using the placebo.
"This is a disappointing and unexpected setback in the search for a safe and effective microbicide that can be used by women to protect themselves against HIV infection," said a statement from the organizations.
Researchers have been searching for a microbicide that women can use during sexual intercourse to prevent the transmission of HIV. A microbicide could take the form of a gel, cream, film, tablet or sponge, or be contained in a vaginal ring that releases the active ingredient gradually.
One study, sponsored by the Eastern Virginia Medical School and the U.S. Agency for International Development, was conducted in Benin, India, South Africa and Uganda.
The second study in Nigeria was also stopped because of safety concerns.
