Abstract
<h3>To the Editor.</h3> —While latex condoms provide substantial protection against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), some allow the passage of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV),<i>1</i>and HIV-size polystyrene particles.<sup>2</sup>Viruses also sometimes leak through vinyl and latex examination gloves<sup>3</sup>and lamb-skin condoms.<sup>4,5</sup> Polyurethane (PU) film is increasingly used for experimental condoms; assessment of its viral permeability is needed. We investigated gas and liquid phase permeability through the Wisconsin Pharmacal Company's (Jackson, Wis) PU vaginal condom, the Reality Vaginal Pouch. We tested permeability (under pressure heads of 30 mm Hg) of seamed and seamless membrane sections cut from condoms and compared them with sections containing a laser-induced hole (100, 25, 20, ≤10 μm) each larger than such common sexually transmitted viruses as hepatitis B (diameter, ≈42 nm) the HIV (diameter, 105±15 nm), or herpes virus (diameter, ≈135±15 nm). We also tested the permeability under the same pressure of
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
