Effectiveness of latex condoms as a barrier to human immunodeficiency virus-sized particles under conditions of simulated use

• Published in: Sexually transmitted diseases Vol. 19; no. 4; p. 230
• Main Authors: Carey, R F, Herman, W A, Retta, S M, Rinaldi, J E, Herman, B A, Athey, T W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-07-1992
• Subjects: Contraceptive Devices, Male; Equipment Failure; Evaluation Studies as Topic; HIV Infections - prevention & control; In Vitro Techniques; Latex; Models, Theoretical; Americas; Condom > standards; Hiv Infections > prevention and control; United States; In Vitro; Viral Diseases; Contraception; Hiv Infections > transmission; Family Planning; Research Methodology; North America; Diseases; Northern America; Reproduction; Developed Countries; Clinical Research; Coitus; Barrier Methods > standards; Contraceptive Methods > standards
• ISSN: 0148-5717
• DOI: 10.1097/00007435-199207000-00009

Condoms were tested in an in vitro system simulating key physical conditions that can influence viral particle leakage through condoms during actual coitus. The system quantitatively addresses pressure, pH, temperature, surfactant properties, and anatomical geometry. A suspension of fluorescence-labeled, 110-nm polystyrene microspheres models free human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in semen, and condom leakage is detected spectrofluorometrically. Leakage of HIV-sized particles through latex condoms was detectable (P less than 0.03) for as many as 29 of the 89 condoms tested. Worst-case condom barrier effectiveness (fluid transfer prevention), however, is shown to be at least 10(4) times better than not using a condom at all, suggesting that condom use substantially reduces but does not eliminate the risk of HIV transmission.