Bacteria found in yoghurt can fight HIV: Study
Sunday, 10 February , 2008, 11:23
New Delhi: A beneficial bacteria, widely found in yoghurt, might help the scientists to stop or slow down HIV transmission rate, a recent study has revealed.
The research, presented at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in Boston this week, was conducted by physicians and scientists of the University of Washington and the University of Rochester Medical Centre to learn more about how the HIV virus survives and spreads from person to person.
The Lactobacillus bacteria, commonly found in the vagina of most women, produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) inside the body which hinders spread of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, responsible for causing AIDS, the researchers found.
According to experts, vagina is one of the most common routes for the viruses causing Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), including AIDS.
“The research opens up some doors. These findings are striking, though preliminary, and should be looked at further,” Amneris Luque of Strong Memorial Hospital says.
The team found that the amount of the virus in the vagina varied in step with the presence of the ‘good bacteria’, a close cousin of Lactobacillus bacteria found in the small intestine of human beings.
"Sexual activity is most common mode of transmission of HIV. Perhaps, we can make it less likely to spread by somehow taking advantage of good bacteria like this as a natural way to stop HIV and prevent transmission," he explains.
This finding boosts the possibility that the bacteria could be trapped in near future and be used in fight against AIDS worldwide, say scientists.
The team studied the vaginal environment, examined the mix of bacteria that reside there and took into account several other factors like possibility of other STDs.
"I hope that we can explore Lactobacillus replacement in future for women who do not have this bacteria" to deal with the deadly virus, Jane Hitti of University of Washington School of Medicine said.
