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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

  1. 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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Page converted: 8/10/2000

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