5th International AIDS Conference


Montreal, Quebec, Canada — Jun 4-9, 1989

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Detection of occlusion vs leak in condom rheological test.

Int Conf AIDS 1989 Jun 4-9; 5:168 (abstract no. A.544)
Torres J, Anabitarte H, Usieto R, Noguera E; Comite Anti-SIDA, Barcelona, Spain

OBJECTIVE: The condom is recommended and used as an efficient barrier against HIV and others. In practice, the film of a condom may present irregularities or leaks. This has been resolved efficiently with rigorous sampling plans for leak-detection tests, realized in all standards by conductometric or electronical test (ET). But, as the test is made on a condom in repose and without mechanical tension, eventually existing micro-occlusions or micro-chaps would not be detected as leak. Given that a condom in use in sexual relations is submitted to forces and mecan. deformations, there could appear leaks, invisible in condom without tension, and the protection is then lost. To evaluate this loss of protection vs HIV due to appearance of leaks while using (stretching) condom, it is proposed to test with Rheological Test (Pat.Met.).

METHODS: We tested with usual test ET and Rheological Test 2 homogeneous lots of 2 different manufacturers, considering the presence of leak at the indication of 50mV(ISO 4074, UNE 53625) and 50mV (Rheological Test RQTS 88.E1.PM1.)

RESULTS: With standard method ET (condom in repose) there was no leak found. The Rheological Test detected 1 and 14 leaks in the two manufacturers respectively.

CONCLUSION: 1) Condoms can present micro-occlusions or micro-chaps which will be transformed into leaks and holes and they will lose their protection effect against HIV when submitting them in use to forces and deformation. 2) The leak detection tests for condoms with the Rheological Test permit to reject non-safe condoms with micro-occlusions or micro-chaps which would not be detected by usual tests (ET).

Keywords: AEGIS, Condoms, Condoms, Female, HIV Infections, HIV Seroprevalence, HIV Seronegativity, HIV Seropositivity, immunology, ICA5KWDaegis,condoms,condoms,female,hivinfections,hivseroprevalence,hivseronegativity,hivseropositivity,immunology,ica5

890604
A544

Copyright © 1989 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.