Self-Assembled Antimicrobial Nanomaterials.

Nanotechnology came to stay improving the quality of human life by reducing environmental contamination of earth and water with pathogens. This review discusses how self-assembled antimicrobial nanomaterials can contribute to maintain humans, their water and their environment inside safe boundaries to human life even though some of these nanomaterials display an overt toxicity. At the core of their strategic use, the self-assembled antimicrobial nanomaterials exhibit optimal and biomimetic organization leading to activity at low doses of their toxic components. Antimicrobial bilayer fragments, bilayer-covered or multilayered nanoparticles, functionalized inorganic or organic polymeric materials, coatings and hydrogels disclose their potential for environmental and public health applications in this review.

Using conjoint analysis to determine the impact of product and user characteristics on acceptability of rectal microbicides for HIV prevention among Peruvian men who have sex with men.

OBJECTIVES: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are in need of novel and acceptable HIV prevention interventions. In Peru, a Phase II clinical trial was recently completed evaluating rectally applied tenofovir gel among Peruvian MSM and transgender women. If deemed safe and acceptable, the product could move into efficacy testing, but acceptability data for similar products are needed now in order to prepare for future implementation. Peru is in need of expanded, national acceptability data among likely users. METHODS: Using conjoint analysis of an online cross-sectional survey taken by 1008 Peruvian MSM and transgender women, we tested the acceptability of eight hypothetical rectal microbicide (RM) products comprising six, dual-value attributes. We also assessed the relationship of select product attributes with sample characteristics. RESULTS: Highest acceptability was found for a RM that was 90% effective, used before and after sex, without side effects, costing approximately $0.30, had no prescription requirement and had a single-use applicator. Product effectiveness and presence of side effects were the factors most likely to drive RM acceptance and use. Education, sexual orientation, sexual role and concern for HIV infection were also related to aspects of RM acceptability. CONCLUSION: RM acceptability was high, confirming the results of earlier, smaller studies and placing confidence in the acceptability of RMs. Analysis of the relationships with product attributes and sample characteristics underscore the need to consider the impact of factors such as sexual orientation, sexual role, level of education and concern for HIV acquisition on RM acceptability.

[Microbicides for preventing sexually transmitted infections: Current status and strategies for preclinical evaluation of new candidates]. / Microbicidas para la prevención de infecciones de transmisión sexual: estado actual y estrategias para la evaluación preclínica de nuevos candidatos.

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

Microbicidas para la prevención de infecciones de transmisión sexual: estado actual y estrategias para la evaluación preclínica de nuevos candidatos / Microbicides for preventing sexually transmitted infections: current status and strategies for preclinical evaluation of new candidates

Los microbicidas constituyen una nueva herramienta, todavía en proceso de investigación, que podrían ayudar en la prevención de la infección por los virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (Human immunodeficiency virus: HIV) y de otras infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS). Una serie de evidencias ha demostrado que la complejidad de la transmisión sexual de patógenos virales requiere de la identificación de compuestos capaces de bloquear los eventos tempranos del ciclo de infección viral. En este manuscrito hacemos una revisión exhaustiva de las diferentes estrategias que se han estudiado o se están considerando para prevenir ITS mediante el uso de microbicidas, haciendo particular énfasis en aquellos con el potencial de bloquear la infección por el HIV. También se revisa el proceso complejo de evaluación preclínica que se requiere para llegar a estudios en humanos y se concluye con un breve análisis de las estrategias que podrían formar parte del futuro inmediato en la investigación de microbicidas

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

Rectal douching and implications for rectal microbicides among populations vulnerable to HIV in South America: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: While gel-formulated rectal microbicides (RM) are the first to enter clinical trials, rectal douching in preparation for anal intercourse is a common practice; thus RMs formulated as douches may be a convenient alternative to gels. Nonetheless, little is known about potential users' thoughts regarding douche-formulated RMs or rectal douching practices, data that is needed to inform the advancement of douche-based RMs. This qualitative study examined thoughts regarding douches, their use as an RM and current douching practices among men who have sex with men and transgender women. METHODS: 12 focus groups and 36 in-depth interviews were conducted (N=140) to examine the overall acceptability of RM, of which one component focused on rectal douching. Focus groups and interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and coded; text relating to rectal douching was extracted and analysed. Sociodemographic information was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Support for a douche-formulated RM centred on the possibility of combined precoital hygiene and HIV protection, and it was believed that a deeply penetrating liquid douche would confer greater HIV protection than a gel. Drawbacks included rectal dryness, impracticality and portability issues, and potential side effects. Non-commercial douching apparatus use was common and liquids used included detergents, vinegar, bleach, lemon juice and alcohol. CONCLUSIONS: A douche-formulated RM, while desirable and perceived as more effective than a gel-formulated RM, also generated questions regarding practicality and side effects. Of immediate concern were the non-commercial liquids already being used that likely damage rectal epithelia, potentially increasing HIV infection risk. Precoital rectal douching is common and an RM formulated as such is desirable, but education on rectal douching practices is needed now.

The Motivations and Experiences of Young Women in a Microbicide Trial in the USA and Puerto Rico.

Young women are an important target group in microbicide research, yet little is known about why they participate and stay in microbicide trials. Our study examined motivations for participating in a Phase I microbicide trial among 61 women ages 18 - 24 years in the continental USA and Puerto Rico. We also examined their perspectives on study participation. Participants underwent a semi-structured in-depth interview in which they were asked about factors that motivated enrollment and their experiences while participating. They also completed a Web-based Computer Assisted Self Interview in which they were asked to rate study burden (1 = low to 4 = high). Factors that motivated enrollment were altruism (29%), compensation (17%), a combination of altruism and compensation (37%) and free medical exams (17%). Factors that encouraged participants to stay in the study were study staff (95%), confirmation of good health (41%), and the opportunity to learn about their bodies (17%). Mean ratings of study burden ranged from 1.83 (having to travel to site) to 2.41 (colposcopy), indicating that participants were not highly bothered by visits or procedures. Although Phase I trials require invasive procedures, participants were not highly bothered by them and recognized them as necessary. Good relationships with staff and clear information about how procedures contribute to study goals may encourage participants to remain in trials. Young women may be motivated to enter microbicide trials by stressing the role they will play in discovering better HIV-prevention methods and highlighting the comprehensive preventive exams they will receive.

Acceptability of oral versus rectal HIV preexposure prophylaxis among men who have sex with men and transgender women in Peru.

OBJECTIVE: Oral preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with antiretrovirals (ARVs) is at the forefront of biomedical HIV prevention research, and ARVs are also being tested for rectal administration to target people practicing unprotected receptive anal intercourse (URAI) and at risk of HIV infection. This study assessed the acceptability of daily oral PrEP and rectal PrEP during URAI among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) in Peru. METHODS: During the 2008 HIV sentinel surveillance survey conducted in 3 Peruvian cities (Lima, Iquitos, and Pucallpa), MSM and TGW reported being "versatile," "most of the time receptive," and "exclusively receptive" during anal sex behavior where surveyed on their acceptability of oral and rectal PrEP. RESULTS: Among 532 individuals, high acceptance of either oral (96.2%) or rectal (91.7%) PrEP products was reported. If both products were efficacious/available, 28.6% would prefer a pill, 57.3% a rectal lubricant, and 14.1% either. A trend toward higher acceptance was observed as receptive anal sex behavior exclusivity rose (P = .013). Being receptive most of the time (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 9.1, P = .01) and exclusively receptive (aOR: 7.5, P = .01), compared to being versatile, were independently associated with oral PrEP acceptability. A similar association was found with the acceptability of rectal formulations (aOR: 2.3, P = .07; and aOR: 2.5, P = .02; respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Oral and rectal PrEP were highly acceptable among Peruvian MSM and TGW, particularly among those at the highest HIV infection risk. These data can guide the implementation of PrEP programs in Peru and similar settings and populations.