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The biggest news of 2010 in HIV medicine came from two studies in which researchers confirmed that HIV infection in high-risk individuals can be prevented with existing antiretroviral drugs.
Researchers in South Africa provided 445 heterosexual women with applicators that contained 1% tenofovir gel to apply intravaginally before and after sex. At 2 years, HIV incidence was about 40% lower in this group than among 444 women who were given placebo gel. However, the subgroup of women considered to be good adherers (based on monthly applicator counts) benefited more, with protective efficacy estimated to be 54%. Side effects of the gel were negligible, and no drug resistance was noted among women who became HIV positive despite tenofovir gel app…