MINNEAPOLIS — Scientists at the University of Minnesota reported Wednesday that they found a way to block transmission of the virus that causes AIDS in animals, raising hopes of a potential breakthrough in the battle against the worldwide epidemic.
The scientists were able to prevent infection in a group of female monkeys by treating them with a gel containing a common food additive, known as glycerol monolaurate, or GML, before they were exposed to the virus.
The discovery, reported Wednesday in the journal Nature, could lead to a novel and effective way to prevent sexual transmission in women, said Dr. Ashley Haase, who led the study with fellow microbiologist Patrick Schlievert.
Haase cautioned that the study was small and has only been tried in animals. But if it works this well in humans, he said, “it could contribute to saving millions of lives.”
This treatment, researchers say, would not help anyone who is already infected. The hope is that it may prevent new infections.
