Scientists develop mother-to-child HIV transmission vaccine

A team of scientists in Chicago are developing a new vaccine to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission through breastfeeding.

Researchers from Lavax and the University of Illinois at Chicago have identified a strain of probiotic lactobacilli found in the human mouth.

The scientists claim that this strain binds to the "outer envelope" of the HIV virus and captures it.

According to the researchers, the lactobacillus grows and reproduces itself in milk, so "once the infant is inoculated, the protection may last until the infant is weaned".

The success of lactobacillus was also tested after it had been freeze dried and stored.

"After 12 weeks, the Lactobacillus in the infant formula was as good as fresh Lactobacillus in capturing HIV and blocking the HIV infection of cultured mammalian cells," according to the researchers.

Aids charity Avert estimates that between five and 20 per cent of babies born to HIV-positive mothers will be infected through breastfeeding.