Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026
11:14
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.
Reviews in Medical Virology
|March 18, 2011
Summary
Understanding how human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmits sexually is key to prevention. This review covers HIV sexual transmission, its biology, and topical microbicide trials for prevention.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Pathogen transmission frequently relies on host interactions.
- Viruses adapt transmission mechanisms to host behaviors for propagation.
- Specific viruses like HIV, HPV, HSV-2, and HCV are transmitted sexually.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of sexual transmission mechanisms of HIV.
- To describe the biology of transmitted HIV.
- To provide an overview of candidate microbicides and clinical trials for HIV topical microbicides.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of scientific articles and clinical trial data.
- Analysis of viral transmission mechanisms and host-pathogen interactions.
- Synthesis of information on HIV biology and microbicide development.
Main Results:
- Sexual transmission of HIV involves complex interactions between the virus and host.
- Understanding early viral adaptation and evolution is crucial for transmission inhibition.
- Various candidate microbicides are under investigation, with ongoing and future clinical trials.
Conclusions:
- Inhibiting sexual transmission of HIV requires a comprehensive understanding of its transmission biology.
- Topical microbicides represent a potential strategy for HIV prevention.
- Continued research and clinical trials are essential for developing effective microbicide-based prevention methods.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Sexually Transmitted Infections
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases transmitted primarily through unsafe sexual interactions. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites cause them and can result in severe health complications if untreated.ChlamydiaThe bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for the disease Chlamydia, the most common STI in the United States. This peculiar pathogen requires human cells to reproduce, residing intracellularly. The initial infection often goes unnoticed because it typically does not...
01:10Retrovirus Life Cycles
Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the retrovirus to...
01:19Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly
As part of their replication cycle, certain viruses synthesize long precursor proteins called polyproteins within infected host cells. In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), two major polyproteins are produced: Gag and Gag-Pol. The Gag polyprotein supplies the structural components of the virus, while Gag-Pol includes essential viral enzymes such as reverse transcriptase, integrase, and protease. After synthesis, these polyproteins move to the host cell membrane, where they assemble into an...
01:28Amebiasis
Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...
01:18Surface Membrane Barriers
The skin and mucous membranes serve as the primary line of defense against pathogens by providing both physical and chemical protection. These barriers are essential in preventing the entry and establishment of microbes, thereby maintaining the integrity of the host.
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
01:23Genital Herpes
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection primarily caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), though herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is increasingly implicated in genital infections, particularly among younger populations. Transmission occurs mainly through sexual contact, with asymptomatic viral shedding serving as a major route of spread. This characteristic makes HSV-2 difficult to control at a population level, as individuals may unknowingly transmit the virus even in the...