Genetically enhanced bacteria may prevent HIV infections in women.

2003 OCT 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have found in laboratory experiments that bacteria that naturally live in the body can be genetically enhanced for potent antiviral activity, potentially preventing HIV infections in women.

Modifications to this unique approach could lead to bacteria programmed to prevent infections from other sexually transmitted diseases or even respiratory viruses.

Enhancing bacteria that already colonize humans is a completely new strategy to combat viral invasion, said Peter P. Lee, MD, assistant professor of medicine. He and his colleagues have shown that a genetically engineered strain of lactobacillus - bacteria abundantly found in healthy vaginal mucosal linings - could significantly inhibit the ability of HIV to infect cells.

Their findings are published in the September 8, 2003, advance online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA.

Lee said that if the strategy works as well in humans as it does in cells, it may someday provide women with a safe, inexpensive, and long-lasting way to protect themselves from HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Lee's work may offer a promising possibility to fortify the barrier that normally protects the vagina from foreign invaders.

"It struck me that viruses - certainly HIV, but almost all viruses - have to first get through the mucous membranes to get to the host," said Lee.