Safety, Acceptability and Preliminary Effectiveness of Carraguard™ (PC-515) in Preventing HIV/STI Transmission

Carraguard™ (PC-515), the Population Council's lead candidate microbicide, was tested in a triple-masked, randomized, placebo-controlled trial fielded in two sites in South Africa. The primary aims of the study were to assess Carraguard's safety (toxicity) - including signs of irritation, such as itching or burning; changes in vaginal flora; and incidence of abnormal external genital, vaginal, and cervical findings - when applied vaginally for durations of 6-12 months, and to evaluate several dimensions of the acceptability of Carraguard and placebo products. Secondary aims were to investigate whether study participants using Carraguard had lower rates of HIV seroconversion or other sexually transmitted infections (including C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae, T. vaginalis, and T. pallidum) than the placebo (methyl cellulose gel). In addition, when it began, this trial was the first to explore the feasibility of large-scale microbicides testing in a non-sex worker population. Last, the trial gauged women's reactions to using a non-contraceptive product (in vitro testing had shown that Carraguard has no contraceptive effect), as well as potential use-dynamics in communities where drying agents and other traditional vaginal products are used with high frequency.

Inclusion criteria

• In good health as determined by medical history, physical examination and results of laboratory screening tests for RTIs
• Aged 18 years or older
• Resident in the area for at least one year and planning to stay for at least 12 months
• HIV-seronegative at screening
• Willing and able to comply with the study protocol (including being tested for HIV, learning the results, and undergoing clinical evaluations), and,
• Able to give informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnant or desire to become pregnant during the trial
• Delivered or aborted a pregnancy within the six weeks prior to screening
• History of surgery on external genitalia, vagina or cervix in the six weeks prior to screening
• Recent history of non-menstrual vaginal bleeding with intercourse
• Clinically detectable genital abnormality (including presence of warts, or a structural or congenital abnormality)
• Clinical suspicion of a RTI (defined as the presence of a genital ulcer visible to the naked eye, an abnormal vaginal discharge or purulent cervicitis, or untreated positive STI test result)
• Abnormal Pap smear
• History of sensitivity/allergy to latex
• Participating in another trial of a vaginal product
• Reported injection of recreational drugs