Researcher insists new gel works

Despite study results that showed that a microbicide accepted as the "best Aids prevention news in years" was ineffective, South African researchers are adamant that the Tenofovir gel works.

Delivering a lecture to commemorate World Aids Day yesterday at the University of KwaZulu-Natal's Nelson Mandela Medical School, Dr Sengeziwe Sibeko said the vaginal gel was effective in halting HIV transmission in women.

Sibeko is a researcher at the Centre for the Aids Programme of Research in South Africa, which last year found that the gel was 39% successful in preventing HIV infection.

But the researchers leading a second study at 15 sites in South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe, recommended on Monday that the study's 5000 participants stop using the gel because it was ineffective.

Sibeko said researchers will continue to work on the gel.

"There is good evidence from laboratory research, animal studies and human trials showing that Tenofovir gel prevents HIV," she said.