EFFICACY OF THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMER AND LATEX CONDOMS AS VIRAL BARRIERS

The barrier efficacy of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and three bran ds of latex condoms was compared in a passive-leak test and in a dynam ic model of simulated intercourse. Fifteen replicates of each of the c ondoms were challenged with bacteriophage T7 (100 nm) and the polio vi rus Type 1 (PV-1, 27 nm). In the passive test, no condom leaked either virus. In the dynamic model, no TPE condoms leaked either virus and n o latex condoms leaked T7. Two samples of one commercially available l atex condom leaked T7 but not PV-1. These data support that intact lat ex condoms are effective in vivo viral barriers and extend the finding to TPE condoms as well. Given its substantial equivalence to latex as a viral barrier, TPE condoms are an alternative choice for individual s with latex allergies. The TPE material is also more resistant to com mon environmental conditions that affect latex adversely and should th erefore be a superior choice if condoms must be stored for extended pe riods in suboptimal conditions.