Viral Leakage Risk Differences in Latex Condoms

Abstract

Through use of a new bacteriophage assay capable of detecting a single viral plaque-forming unit (PFU), viral leakage through multiple replicates of several types of latex condoms has been evaluated. Stocks were used that had been preserved from a previous large study in which viral leakage had been assessed preliminarily in several brands. In the present research, much larger numbers of replicates--on the order of magnitude of 100 condoms per brand--were used. Leakage was demonstrated in single production lots of each of seven brands of condoms. With one notable exception, percent leakage ranged from 0.9 to 22.8%; 100% of the specimens of one profoundly flawed brand leaked. All test condoms were subjected to conditions intended to model these prevailing during coitus. Because the condoms used in this study were aged, current stocks of two widely sold brands were tested for comparison. Of these, 11.8% of one brand leaked, 25.7% of the other. The relevance of the results, which gave a high, albeit physiologically appropriate, challenge to the test brands, is discussed--so too is the significance to condom users of results deriving from a leakage assay of exquisitely high sensitivity.

Feasibility of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Vaccine Trials in Homosexual Men in the United States: Risk Behavior, Seroincidence, and Willingness to Participate

“…Condom failure also appeared to account for a substantial proportion of seroconversions. The rate of condom failure in this study was within the range for breakage and/or slippage in men reported in the literature (2.7%-4.9% per person and 1.9%-8.0% per condom) [24][25][26][27][28][29][30] and is also supported by laboratory-based tests [31,32]. Condom failure rates may also be somewhat higher in anal sex than vaginal sex [24,26].…”

The practical and symbolic purpose of dental dams in lesbian safer sex promotion

“…No studies exist on their permeability to STI pathogens, although it is likely that they are at least as impermeable as condoms, which are also made of latex but thinner. Condoms have been tested in vitro for permeability to Chlamydia trachomatis, viruses and virus-sized particles [20][21][22][23][24] and except for one large study of aged condoms, 25 dams. If a piece tears during use it can easily be replaced.…”

Biomedical HIV prevention research and epidemic control in Thailand: two sides of the same coin

“…Thus it happened that a fertility control prophylactic, the latex condom, was promoted as Thailand's national response towards the HIV epidemic, even though in vivo protective scientific evidence at the time was limited. [99][100][101][102][103][104] Observational data, [99][100][101][102][103][104] expert opinion and professional intuition, and the absence of alternatives convinced Dr Mechai the latex condom was the only available remedy. But for it to be effective, it needed to be used 100%.…”