Journal Article

Reduction of HIV-1 RNA Levels with Therapy to Suppress Herpes Simplex Virus

Becquart, Pierre, Van de Perre, Philippe, Sanon, Anselme, Segondy, Michel, Weiss, Helen A, Andonaba, Jean-Baptiste, Vallo, Roselyne, Sawadogo, Adrien, Nagot, Nicolas, Foulongne, Vincent, Vergne, Laurence, Mayaud, Philippe, Ouédraogo, Abdoulaye, Defer, Marie-Christine, Djagbaré, Didier, Konaté, Issouf

2007

Overview

Coinfection with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in women with HIV-1 infection is associated with increased genital shedding of HIV-1 RNA. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, suppression of HSV-2 with valacyclovir decreased genital HIV-1 RNA and mean plasma HIV-1 RNA levels in dually infected women in Burkina Faso. Suppression of HSV-2 with valacyclovir decreased genital HIV-1 RNA and mean plasma HIV-1 RNA levels in dually infected women in Burkina Faso. Epidemiologic and biologic data support a strong association between herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and infection with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). 1 – 5 A recent meta-analysis of prospective observational studies showed that patients who were seropositive for HSV-2 had three times the risk of acquiring HIV-1, as compared with those who were seronegative for the virus. 6 In addition, three of four studies showed that HSV-2 infection may increase the quantity of genital HIV-1 RNA. 7 – 10 This association probably arises from both symptomatic 11 and asymptomatic genital shedding of HSV-2 DNA, although the evidence for the latter is weaker. 12 The . . .

• Publisher: Massachusetts Medical Society
• Subject: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome / Acyclovir / Acyclovir - analogs & derivatives / Acyclovir - pharmacology / Acyclovir - therapeutic use / Adolescent / Adult / AIDS / Antiviral Agents / Antiviral Agents - pharmacology / Antiviral Agents - therapeutic use / Biological and medical sciences / Cervix Uteri / Cervix Uteri - virology / Drug therapy / Female / General aspects / Herpes Genitalis / Herpes Genitalis - complications / Herpes Genitalis - drug therapy / Herpes Genitalis - virology / Herpes simplex virus 2 / Herpesvirus 2, Human / Herpesvirus 2, Human - isolation & purification / Herpesvirus 2, Human - physiology / HIV / HIV Infections / HIV Infections - complications / HIV Infections - virology / HIV-1 / HIV-1 - drug effects / HIV-1 - isolation & purification / HIV-1 - physiology / Human immunodeficiency virus / Human immunodeficiency virus 1 / Human immunodeficiency virus 2 / Human viral diseases / Humans / Infectious diseases / Life Sciences / Medical sciences / RNA, Viral / RNA, Viral - analysis / RNA, Viral - blood / Valacyclovir / Valine / Valine - analogs & derivatives / Valine - pharmacology / Valine - therapeutic use / Viral diseases / Viral diseases of the lymphoid tissue and the blood. Aids / Viral Load / Virus Replication / Virus Replication - drug effects / Virus Shedding / Virus Shedding - drug effects / Womens health