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The following NIAID-sponsored contract resources are available to assist investigators in the evaluation of potential topical microbicides effective against HIV.

In Vitro Efficacy Evaluations

• Potential therapeutic agents can be evaluated for cytotoxicity and efficacy in an HIV-1 transmission-blocking assay and for direct HIV viricidal activity
• Potential agents can be evaluated for inhibitory activity against lactobacilli
• Potential therapies can be evaluated via other NIAID-sponsored resources for efficacy against a variety of sexually transmitted disease (STD) pathogens (e.g., Chlamydia trachomatis and herpes simplex viruses)

In Vivo Evaluations

• Efficacy Models
  
  • Vaginal and/or rectal challenge models using nonhuman primates infected with SIV (SHIV) are available
    
  • Animal models for Chlamydia trachomatis and herpes simplex viruses are available
  
  
• Toxicology Evaluations

  Protocols specifically designed for the toxicological and pharmacokinetic evaluation of vaginally administered microbicides are available (e.g., non-human primate safety, rabbit vaginal irritation, vaginal absorption/bioavailability, and sperm motility/lethality studies)

Accessing These Resources

• For further information regarding agents with potential topical activity against HIV please contact Dr. Roberta Black (phone: 301-496-8199; e-mail: rb31i@nih.gov)
  
• For further information regarding agents with potential activity against other STDs please contact Chief, STD Branch (phone: 301-402-0443; e-mail: ChiefSTDB@niaid.nih.gov)