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Nature Medicine 15, 594 - 597 (2009)
doi:10.1038/nm0609-594

A cultured response to HIV

Melinda Wenner1

  1. Melinda Wenner is a science writer based in Brooklyn, New York.


In recent years, research has continued to demonstrate that HIV wreaks terrible havoc in the gut. A few scientists believe that probiotic yogurt might help to counter some of the virus's devastating effects on the intestine. Melinda Wenner reports on a pilot project that is helping a Tanzanian community make its own probiotic yogurt for HIV-infected locals and empowering women in the process.


Every morning, 54-year-old Elizabeth Gabeal walks from her home in the small village of Mabatini, Tanzania to a small community kitchen. The tiny space is known as Jiko la Maziwa Imara, Swahili for 'the kitchen of milk strength'.