HIV treatment tests fail

Trials for a new HIV treatment have failed.

Tests showed that a vaginal microbicide had shown no sign of effectiveness in tackling the killer disease.

It was hoped that the gel treatment could have allowed women to safeguard themselves against infection.

A study involving more than 9,300 women found that there was no significant difference in infection rates between those taking the treatment and those given a placebo.

Dr Sheena McCormack, lead researcher at the Medical Research Council, told the BBC that the news was "disheartening".

She added: "Nevertheless, we know this is an important result and it shows clearly the need to undertake trials which are large enough to provide definitive evidence for whether or not a product works."

Last week, a study suggested that a new HIV treatment could cut HIV rates.

In an interview with the Xihuanet news agency, Kihumuro Apuuli, director general of the Uganda AIDS Commission, said that 780,000 new infections would be stopped between 2016 and 2050 should the vaccine become available in 2015.

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