http://www.herald.co.zw/ inside.aspx?sectid=479&cat=13

*Moderator note: This article incorrectly states the MIRA diaphragm study as on-going. Results from MIRA were released in July 2007, showing that the diaphragm did not provide additional protection against HIV.

As news of a possible cure for Aids, discovered recently by two American scientists is still making headlines the world over, Africa brings along its own piece of good news.

A team of researchers from Canada's University of Manitoba and Kenya's University of Nairobi, have been studying a group of Kenyan sex workers for over 20 years.

According to PlusNews, 140 women of the 2000 sex workers identified in 1985, have remained HIV-negative, despite repeated exposure to the virus.

These women could provide "the best chance to identify correlates of protection" against HIV infection.

The findings have generated excitement in the HIV prevention field, especially among vaccine researchers, who have before suffered several setbacks.

In a pilot study, the researchers examined genital secretions from 10 of the sex workers who appeared to be resistant to HIV and compared them with samples from HIV-negative and HIV-positive women.

They found 15 proteins present at higher levels in the HIV-resistant women than in other women. In some cases, they found eight times higher.

Dr Blake Ball, a professor of microbiology at the University of Manitoba, told PlusNews; "We think these proteins may be playing a role in protecting these women from HIV infection."

He said the studies among Kenyan sex workers, though not directly applicable to HIV vaccine design, may be informative.

"The most direct application may be towards microbicide development, and these proteins may be candidates for development of a microbicide based on human proteins."

Microbicides include a range of female-controlled products, including gels, films and sponges, undergoing clinical tries to see whether they could help women protect themselves from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

Meanwhile, new research suggests that covering the cervix with a diaphragm or cervical cap) may offer dual protection. That is preventing pregnancy while at the same time protecting against HIV and sexually transmitted infections.

The Methods for Improving Reproductive Health in Africa trial is a randomised, controlled trial being carried out in Zimbabwe and South Africa.

It aims to measure effectiveness of the diaphragm used with lubricant gel for HIV prevention among women.

According to the Global Campaign for Microbicides, new cervical barrier methods have in recent years, become available, and others are currently under development.

As interest grows and research results on efficacy for HIV and STI prevention become available, more methods may emerge to provide women with increased options for dual protection.

It is possible that cervical barriers may be used along with microbicides for added protection.