The researchers from Lavax and University of Illinois at Chicago have developed a technology which can prevent passing on the HIV virus from  mother to child through breast-feeding. HIV transmission during breastfeeding can be avoided by a strain of probiotic, Lactobacillus, in human mouth.

Researchers have found a way of preserving this in hot climates without the need for refrigeration. The finding was presented to last week’s 86th General Session of the International Association of Dental Research.

Lactobacillus can bind itself to HIV’s outer envelope and has the potential to prevent HIV transmission because of breastfeeding. It is also being studied in a modified form as a vaginal microbicide. The probiotic Lactobacillus belongs to the same species as those found in dairy products, such as yoghurt.

The researchers also believe that once the infant has been inoculated with Lactobacillus, it will protect the infant against HIV transmission until the infant is weaned.

But one major concern for the researchers is that the bacillus cannot survive for long in the hot climates and in countries like southern Africa where the disease is widely spread, there is a lack of proper refrigeration.

To overcome this hurdle, Investigators therefore tried to find a long-lasting formula of this Lactobacillus, capable of surviving in hot climates.

The researchers already knew that the sugars, sucrose and treashalose, efficiently protect Lactobacillus at temperatures between four to 20 degrees C.  But after four weeks at temperatures of 33 degrees or above, Lactobacillus cells protected by these sugars die.

The new discovery by the investigators, which show that Lactobacillus strain can be kept alive for twelve weeks at 33 degrees, has come as relief that it can prove potential in binding HIV through breastfeeding.