Methods and devices for preventing transmission of sexually transmitted diseases

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for preventing the transmission of HIV, methods for prophylaxis of HIV transmission and methods for reducing the risk of HIV transmission vaginally or rectally using compositions having at least one of polyquaternium, glycerin, methylparaben or proplyparaben. The invention further provides methods for inhibiting the transmission of a sexually transmitted disease using the compositions. Additionally, the invention provides combinations of compositions and devices used with such methods.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method for preventing the transmission of HIV vaginally or rectally comprising, contacting a bodily fluid suspected of containing HIV with an aqueous composition having at least one component selected from the group consisting of polyquaternium, glycerin and a preservative system.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the preservative system comprises methylparaben and propylparaben.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bodily fluid is semen.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising placing an effective amount of the composition before or after sexual contact has begun on a penis or in a vagina or rectum.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the composition is placed in the vagina or rectum using an applicator.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein an effective amount is at least 0.5 ml.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the composition is placed within one hour of the commencement of sexual contact.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is combined with a device selected from the group consisting of a suppository, condom, sponge or other barrier device.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is selected from the group consisting of AstroGlide® and Vagisil®.  
     
     
         10 . A method for prophylaxis of HIV transmission vaginally or rectally comprising, contacting a bodily fluid suspected of containing HIV with a composition having at least one component selected from the group consisting of polyquaternium, glycerin and a preservative system.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the preservative system comprises methylparaben and propylparaben.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the bodily fluid is semen.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising placing an effective amount of the composition before or after sexual contact has begun on a penis or in a vagina or rectum.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the composition is placed in the vagina or rectum using an applicator.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein an effective amount is at least 0.5 ml.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the composition is placed in the vagina or rectum within one hour of the commencement of sexual contact.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said composition is combined with a device selected from the group consisting of a suppository, condom, sponge or other barrier device.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the composition is selected from the group consisting of AstroGlide® and Vagisil®.  
     
     
         19 . A method for reducing the risk of transmission of HIV vaginally or rectally comprising, contacting a bodily fluid suspected of containing HIV with a composition having at least one component selected from the group consisting of polyquaternium, glycerin and a preservative system.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the preservative system comprises methylparaben and propylparaben.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the bodily fluid is semen.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising placing an effective amount of the composition before or after sexual contact has begun on a penis or in a vagina or rectum.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the composition is placed in the vagina or rectum using an applicator.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein an effective amount is at least 0.5 ml.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the composition is placed in the vagina or rectum within one hour of the commencement of sexual contact.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said composition is combined with a device selected from the group consisting of a suppository, condom, sponge or other barrier device.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the composition is selected from the group consisting of AstroGlide® and Vagisil®.  
     
     
         28 . A method for inhibiting the transmission of a sexually transmitted disease caused by an agent present in a bodily fluid, comprising placing a composition having at least one component selected from the group consisting of polyquaternium, glycerin, and a preservative system in a vagina, rectum, condom, sponge or on some other barrier device that can be inserted into a vagina or rectum.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28  wherein the preservative system comprises methylparaben and propylparaben.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the agent is HIV.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the bodily fluid is semen.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the composition is placed within one hour after the deposition of the bodily fluid.