Biocompatible electric current attenuates HIV infectivity.

The number of individuals infected by the human immunodeficiency virus type-l (HIV) continues to increase on a worldwide basis.' A significant percentage, ifnot all, of these individuals will eventually develop the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).2 While horizontal transmission in the homosexual population may be contained or decreasing,' heterosexual transmission and infection through contaminated blood supplies continues to increase: Additionally, vertical transmission from infected females to their fetuses is also on the rise with a resultant increase in the number of children with AIDS.S New strategies, therefore, must be devised in order to limit more effectively the spread of this virus.