This file picture taken under a microscope shows the HIV 1 virus burgeoning on a lymphocyte. Photo: AFP/Institut Pasteur Source: AFP
MELBOURNE researchers have developed cows' milk that can defend human cells against HIV.
The next stage is to test the effectiveness and safety of the milk before making it into a cream which will hopefully allow women to protect themselves against contracting the virus during sex, without relying on men.
Lead researcher, University of Melbourne's Marit Kramski said they vaccinated pregnant cows - which cannot contract human immunodeficiency virus - with an HIV protein and studied the first milk produced by the cow after birth.
HIV cases in Australia on the rise
Dr Kramski said this first milk, called colostrum, produced milk high in antibodies to protect its newborn against disease.
The researchers were able to inhibit the virus from infecting cells when combing the virus cells with milk.
"We think the antibodies bind to the surface of the virus and blocks the protein which needs to be freed to get in contact with human cells - like a key and lock system. If the key's not accessible or you change the key, you can't open the door," Dr Kramski said.
"It's a very cheap and easy way to produce a lot of antibodies."
Dr Kramski said they had partnered with Australian biotechnology company Immuron Ltd to develop the milk, and would continue working with them to produce a preventative cream.
"Condoms are cheap and easy, but still 2.6 million people are getting infected every year. It's not an option for everyone," she said.
"A lot of women, especially in Africa or South America they don't have the power to say you need to use a condom before we have sex.
"This milk looks like it can be a cheap, easy new prevention tool, because if you use drugs it's really expensive."
Clinical trials for other HIV prevention creams, however - including Carraguard containing an anti-HIV microbicide - found the product to be safe but not effective in reducing spread of HIV.
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