Notice to Readers: CDC Statement on Study Results of Product
Containing Nonoxynol-9
During the XIII International AIDS Conference held in Durban, South Africa, July
9--14, 2000, researchers from the Joint United Nations Program on AIDS (UNAIDS)
presented results of a study of a product, COL-1492,* which contains nonoxynol-9 (N-9)
(1). N-9 products are licensed for use in the United States as spermicides and are effective
in preventing pregnancy, particularly when used with a diaphragm. The study
examined the use of COL-1492 as a potential candidate microbicide, or topical compound to
prevent the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs). The study found that N-9 did not protect against HIV infection and
may
have caused more transmission. The women who used N-9 gel became infected
with HIV at approximately a 50% higher rate than women who used the placebo gel.
CDC has released a "Dear Colleague" letter that summarizes the findings and
implications of the UNAIDS study. The letter is available on the World-Wide Web,
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv; a hard copy is available from the National Prevention
Information Network, telephone (800) 458-5231. Future consultations will be held to
re-evaluate guidelines for HIV, STDs, and pregnancy prevention in populations at high risk for
HIV infection. A detailed scientific report will be released on the Web when additional
findings are available.
Reference
van Damme L. Advances in topical microbicides. Presented at the XIII International
AIDS Conference, July 9--14, 2000, Durban, South Africa.
* Use of trade names and commercial sources is for identification only and does not
constitute endorsement by CDC or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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