Researchers say the chemical attacks HIV in a new way - by targeting the membrane of the virus in order to prevent it from locking on to healthy cells, BBC News reported.

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Most HIV treatments attack the virus after it has already infected a cell.

"We have some preliminary but very exciting results. But we would like to formally show this before making any claims that would cause unwarranted hype," researcher Dr Derya Unutmaz, associate professor of microbiology and immunology at Vanderbilt, told the Salt Lake Tribune.

The finding that CSA-54 targets the membrane of HIV may be particularly important, "as a compound that targets the viral membrane is likely to be effective against all strains of the virus, regardless of mutations, as the viral membrane remains unchanged," Unutmaz noted.

The study also found that CSA-54 was not toxic to skin cells when the chemical was tested at concentrations higher than those needed to disable HIV, the virus that causes Aids. – (HealthDayNews)

Visit our HIV/Aids Centre for more information.

February 2006
 

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