USF one of 2 sites chosen for national safety study

[Drewski]

Full story here:

http://hscweb3.hsc.usf.edu/health/now/?p=199

Tampa, FL (July 30, 2007) – Physicians at the University of South Florida Department of Pediatrics have begun a clinical trial of a topical vaginal microbicide that holds great promise for preventing the sexual transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Microbicides are substances designed to reduce or prevent the sexual transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) when applied topically to the surface of the ******. With almost half of all people infected with HIV/AIDS being women, and the alarmingly steady increase in HIV rates among women younger than age 25, researchers have focused their attention on this population.........

According to Dr. Diane Straub, chief of Adolescent Medicine at USF Health and USF principal investigator for the study, USF was chosen because of its extensive experience conducting research, including clinical trials. “Dr. Patricia Emmanuel, who serves as the co-investigator on this study, is the principal investigator for several federally-funded research grants related to pediatric/adolescent HIV/AIDS at USF, including the Adolescent Trials Network, the Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group, and others,†Dr. Straub said. “Also, the USF Student Health Services clinic provides outstanding medical care for thousands of patients per year. They have an excellent women’s clinic staffed by experienced practitioners, a professionally run laboratory and very competent support staff.......â€Â