Drug combination prevents HIV infection in monkeys

[Roon]

DENVER (Reuters) - An injection of two drugs normally used to treat HIV patients completely protected monkeys from becoming infected with the AIDS virus, U.S. researchers reported on Monday.

While it is too early to tell whether people can pop a pill and escape infection, the study provides the strongest evidence yet that it might be possible, the researchers said.

Dr. Walid Heneine of the Centers for Disease and Prevention studied rhesus monkeys that were injected with a version of Truvada -- Gilead Sciences Inc.'s once-a-day pill that includes its drugs Viread, or tenofovir, and Emtriva, or emtracitibine.

The pill is often used in drug cocktails to treat HIV infection, although they cannot cure it.

The monkeys were then exposed to a combined human-monkey AIDS virus called SHIV, using a rectal method aimed at simulating male homosexual contact. That happened daily for 14 days and the monkeys also got daily injections.
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsarticle.aspx?type=healthNews&storyid=2006-02-06T232903Z_01_N06167221_RTRUKOC_0_US-AIDS-PREVENTION.xml&rpc=22

OK, I am hiv pozitive and I have been taking truvada for a couple of months now. I am due in for blood work to see how the truvada is working. Anyway, having said that, I think it's pretty sick that they use SIV infected dildos on the monkeys. It's just wrong. There has to be a better way.

[AGKISTRODON]

1. You, or ,a monkey?

I wish you well!
If you want to keep on conflicting efforts to help you, with, whatever, oh, well! Why the fook must you apologize for efforts aimed at keeping you alive?

[Roon]

4. I have been an animal activist

ever since I saw a baby harp seal get clubbed on TV. BUT!!!!.....i love meat and I want to live.

[Straight Shooter]

2. Write the researchers and ask them why they are using this method.

They might have a very plausible reason. It does sound bizarre, though. Not every tested drug can mimic the original circumstances of contagion, so why do they attempt something similar with this?

Good luck with your results.

edit: I'm useless on the keyboard tonight

[pinto]

3. See your point. Truvada's FDA approved for humans, obviously. I think it

would make more sense from a treatment perspective to offer it, injectable if that's the case, as a voluntary option for PEP - post exposure prophylaxis. PEP is often offered (in California) to people who come in to medical offices with a clear possibility of recent exposure - regardless of the type of exposure - sex, needle sharing, occupational etc.

While this would not carry the scientific weight of the study described, it would provide some real world, human, data. The drug combos already being used in humans as a treatment and PEP is already being offered to humans post exposure. Why not put the two together...

(on edit) Hope the Truvada works well for you.