A study has been launched in South Africa’s Umlazi township, south of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, in which young women will receive a novel treatment aimed at lowering HIV risk.

The treatment, called Lactin-V, is derived from a strain of bacteria known as Lactobacillus that is naturally abundant in women who have low levels of vaginal inflammation that is associated with decreased HIV risk.

Prior studies in South Africa have shown that women who have a deficiency of Lactobacillus have higher levels of vaginal inflammation and up to three-to-four-fold higher risk of HIV infection.

To assist us on this we are joined by Professor Thumbi Ndungu, Director: HIV Pathogenesis Programme at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal and Patient No 1 (Anonymous)…