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Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Ex Vivo Infection of Human Lymphoid Tissue and Female Genital Mucosa with Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 and Histoculture
Published on: October 12, 2018
HIV sexual transmission and microbicides
Kevin K Ariën1, Vicky Jespers, Guido Vanham
1Virology Unit, Department of Microbiology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerpen, Belgium. karien@itg.be.
Abstract:
Pathogens often rely on the contacts between hosts for transmission. Most viruses have adapted their transmission mechanisms to defined behaviours of their host(s) and have learned to exploit these for their own propagation. Some viruses, such as HIV, the human papillomavirus (HPV), HSV-2 and HCV, cause sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Understanding the transmission of particular viral variants and comprehending the early adaptation and evolution is fundamental to eventually inhibiting sexual transmission of HIV. Here, we review the current understanding of the mechanisms of sexual transmission and the biology of the transmitted HIV. Next, we present a timely overview of candidate microbicides, including past, ongoing and future clinical trials of HIV topical microbicides.
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