Microbicides 2004 Microbicides 200428-31 March 2004, Hilton London MetropoleThe conference42 million men, women and children worldwide were living with HIV by the end of December 2002 (source: UNAIDS), including five million newly-infected during that year alone. Another 45 million people will become infected between 2002 and 2010, unless the current transmission rates can be vastly reduced. Of the 42 million, 29.4 million live in sub-Saharan Africa and 58% of them are women. Not only are women more susceptible to HIV infection, many are powerless to insist on the use of condoms or other methods of protecting themselves. In this context, and with the knowledge that an effective HIV vaccine is unlikely to be available for several years, the need for an effective topical microbicide grows ever more urgent. 2004 should prove to be a landmark year in the field of microbicide development as the first Phase III trials of novel products are due to start – the next step along the road to making a microbicide available to the millions worldwide in desperate need of protection.The aims of the Microbicides 2004 conference are to:Report novel or innovative work in the microbicides fieldProvide updates on recent microbicides research, divided into three tracks: basic science, clinical science, and behavioural science (including public health and the microbicide marketplace)Provide a forum for the discussion of new developments in microbicide research including ethical, clinical, behavioural and methodological issuesPresent opportunities for knowledge-sharing between microbicide researchers, public-health workers and advocacy organisations.There will be an opening ceremony on the evening of Sunday 28 March at which politicians, policy makers and the international media are expected. The conference will run for a full three days, each of which will contain:Scientific overviews and presentations with plenary sessions, invited lecturers and presentations of original researchWorkshops to review issues unique to microbicides such as trial design and outcome measures, and ethical issues in the clinical trials of microbicidesPoster sessions. Focus on LondonFollowing the successful Microbicides conferences in Washington in 2000 and Antwerp in 2002, March 2004 sees the focus move to London.The venue is the Hilton Metropole Hotel, two minutes by taxi from Paddington station and the Heathrow Express, with a journey time from the airport of 15 minutes. The hotel is in walking distance of Hyde Park and London’s main shopping streets, and close to Imperial College. Accommodation will be available at the venue and other hotels in the vicinity.London in March offers a variety of diversions for out-of-conference relaxation, including sight-seeing and shopping; the arts and the theatre; and pubs, clubs and restaurants to suit every taste. Conference staff will be on hand to help delegates plan their spare time.To book your place or find out more information, e-mail info@microbicides2004.org.uk or telephone the Event Office on +44 (0) 20 7720 4411
Oral: invited speaker Oral: Track A Oral: Track B Oral: Track C Poster: Track A Poster: Track B Poster: Track C Abstract only Authors

02436 SAFETY, ACCEPTIBILITY AND EFFICACY OF A PENILE MICROBICIDE WIPE

Taha, Taha*
Kumwenda, N*; Mkumbwa, A**; Kawonga, H**; Mwenda, R?; Chen, S*; Nyasulo, P**, Hoover, D#; Kafulafula, G
* Johns Hopkins University; ** Johns Hopkins Research Project, Malawi; ? Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Malawi; #Rutgers University; Malawi College of Medicine

Innovative, low cost and practical preventive measures are needed to reduce acquisition of STIs. Two studies were conducted in Malawi to determine safety, acceptability and potential efficacy of a topical penile microbicide wipe, 0.4% bezalkonium Chloride (BZK). The first study was a phase I dose escalating clinical trial to assess safety and acceptability of pre- and post-coital penile cleaning. After obtaining consent, 27 uncircumcised and 24 circumcised low-risk, HIV negative men were enrolled. These men were followed for 8 weeks with penile wipe use escalating from none to a maximum of 3 a day. Compared to events during the first 2 weeks when no wipe was used, there were no changes in reported or confirmed adverse events (AEs) with escalation of dose during subsequent weeks. Adherence and acceptability were high (~90%) and did not differ with increasing dose. Among female partners of these men there were no reports of AEs. The second study assessed the efficacy of 0.4% BZK wipe to decrease the frequency of pathogens found on the mucosal surface of the penile foreskin. After consenting, 27 uncircumcised men were recruited from an STD clinic. The presence of pathogens before and after cleaning the penis with the wipe was quantitatively scored using wet mount, gram stain and culture. The frequency of almost all pathogens, including N. gonorrhoeae, significantly (p<0.05) decreased after cleaning with the wipe compared to rates before cleaning. These results suggest that this topical penile microbicide wipe is safe and acceptable. It was effective in reducing the frequency of several pathogens. A phase III trial is planned to further evaluate this wipe.

Dr. Taha E. Taha
Rm E7138; 615 N. Wolfe St.; Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
(Telephone) 410 614 5255 (Fax) 443 287 5188 (E-mail) ttaha@jhsph.edu