Tests of Buffergel for contraception and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases in animal models.
BACKGROUND
BufferGel is a novel spermicidal and microbicidal gel formulated to maintain the natural protective acidity of the vagina by acidifying semen, which otherwise alkalinizes the vagina.


OBJECTIVE
To test the efficacy of BufferGel for preventing sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy in animal models.


METHODS
Animals were challenged with pathogens or sperm after pretreatment with both test and control agents, or after no pretreatment, then evaluated for infection or pregnancy using standard methods.


RESULTS
BufferGel provided significant contraceptive efficacy in the rabbit, and significant protection against vaginal and rectal transmission of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in the mouse, vaginal transmission of Chlamydia trachomatis in the mouse, and skin transmission of cottontail rabbit papillomavirus in the rabbit. It did not protect against vaginal transmission of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the mouse.


CONCLUSIONS
The protective efficacy of BufferGel in five of the six animal models suggests that this microbicide warrants clinical evaluation for both contraception and disease prevention.
Zeitlin
L
L
ReProtect, LLC and The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland 21286, USA.
Hoen
T E
TE
Achilles
S L
SL
Hegarty
T A
TA
Jerse
A E
AE
Kreider
J W
JW
Olmsted
S S
SS
Whaley
K J
KJ
Cone
R A
RA
Moench
T R
TR
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000285:Administration, Rectal; D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D012777:Cottontail rabbit papillomavirus; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005782:Gels; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D051379:Mice; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D011817:Rabbits; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D000998:Antiviral Agents; C420918:BufferGel; D005782:Gels; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies