title: A novel breath test to directly measure use of vaginal gel and condoms.
abstract: We assessed the feasibility of a breath test to detect women's single or concurrent use of vaginal products by adding ester taggants to vaginal gel and condom lubricant. Healthy non-pregnant women were enrolled into a two-day cohort (N = 13) and a single-day cohort (N = 12) in San Francisco. Within each cohort, women were randomized (5:1) to tagged or untagged products, and inserted in a clinical setting: 4 mL of tenofovir placebo gel (ten tagged with 15 mg 2-pentyl acetate; three untagged), and an artificial phallus with a lubricated condom (11 tagged with 15 mg 2-butyl acetate; two untagged), on two separate days (two-day cohort) or concurrently (single-day cohort). Using a portable mini-gas chromatograph, the presence/absence of taggants was determined in breath specimens collected prior to, and at timed intervals following product exposure. Demographic, clinical and product use experience data were collected by structured interview. All participants completed all visits and inserted their assigned products. At 5 min post-insertion, the breath test was 100% accurate in identifying insertion of the tagged (or untagged) gel and/or condom. The half-life in breath of the two esters tested was <1 h with large variability between individuals, taggants and cohorts. Overall, among those receiving tagged product, six mild and two moderate product-related AEs were reported. All were transient and resolved spontaneously. Additional sensations included taste in mouth (N = 4) and scent (N = 5). The tagged products were well tolerated. This breath test has the potential to accurately and objectively monitor adherence to vaginal gel and condom used separately or concurrently.
authors: Women's Global Health Imperative, RTI International, 114 Sansome Street, Suite 500, San Francisco, CA 94104, USA. ariane@rti.org
authors: Ariane
authors: A
authors: van der Straten
authors: Helen
authors: H
authors: Cheng
authors: Scott
authors: S
authors: Wasdo
authors: Liz
authors: L
authors: Montgomery
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: Smith-McCune
authors: Matthew
authors: M
authors: Booth
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Gonzalez
authors: Hartmut
authors: H
authors: Derendorf
authors: Timothy E
authors: TE
authors: Morey
authors: Donn M
authors: DM
authors: Dennis
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000032:analysis; D000225:Adenine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001944:Breath Tests / Q000379:methods*; D002074:Butanones / Q000032:analysis; D002849:Chromatography, Gas / Q000379:methods; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D063065:Organophosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000439:Pentanols / Q000032:analysis; D012495:San Francisco / Q000453:epidemiology; D000068698:Tenofovir; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D002074:Butanones; D063065:Organophosphonates; D000439:Pentanols; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies; C006848:butyl acetate; C005716:amyl acetate; D000068698:Tenofovir; D000225:Adenine