Although HIV transmission from an infected mother to her infant can occur early in utero and post-natally through breastfeeding, many infants become infected around the time of birth, possibly by an oral route of infection. Thus, the narrow time window encompassing birth is an excellent target for affordable intervention strategies, according to the researchers. The success in preventing SIV infection with only two doses of an antiviral drug is unprecedented. C.J. Berardi, N.L. Aguirre, N. Bischofberger, P.S. Lietman, N.C. Pedersen, and M.L. Marthas. Two doses of PMPA protect newborn macaques against oral simian immunodeficiency virus infection.
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Primate-Science Research Highlights are supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health, National Center for Research Resources. Copyright 1999, Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Center. No portion of this highlight may be copied or redistributed without the consent of the editor.