A sensitive method for evaluating condoms as virus barriers.

A standard test is needed to evaluate condoms as barriers against sexually transmitted diseases, particularly those caused by viruses. The proposed method presented here consists of a previously published simple method using physiologic-based conditions plus improvements to increase test sensitivity and decrease confounding factors such as contamination. Limitations of the method were determined by measuring virus penetration through small, well-defined holes. The method can detect penetration of 2 nL (2 x 10(-6) mL) of challenge virus suspension as well as a hole of 2 microns diameter in a latex condom. The data also indicated that virus penetration of latex condoms occurred quickly, and the hole was then apparently closed or blocked.