A randomised placebo-controlled trial to explore the effect of suppressive therapy with acyclovir on genital shedding of HIV-1 and herpes simplex virus type 2 among Zimbabwean sex workers

F. M. Cowan, S. J. Pascoe, K. L. Barlow, L. F. Langhaug, S. Jaffar, J. W. Hargrove, N. J. Robinson, M. T. Bassett, D. Wilson, D. W.G. Brown, R. J. Hayes

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31 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the effect of daily acyclovir on genital shedding of HIV-1 and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in a randomised placebo-controlled trial among rural Zimbabwean sex workers. Methods: 214 women were recruited and tested for HIV-1 and HSV-2 antibodies, HIV plasma viral load, CD4 lymphocyte count and genital swabs for qualitative detection of HIV-1 and HSV-2 genital shedding. Women were randomly assigned to acyclovir 400 mg twice a day for 12 weeks or matching placebo and were followed weekly to detect HIV-1 or HSV-2 genital shedding. Shedding analyses were only undertaken on 125 women co-infected with HSV-2 and HIV-1. Data were analysed using logistic regression, with random effects modelling used to account for repeated measurements on the same women. Results: All women were randomly assigned to acyclovir or placebo; 125 of whom were co-infected with HIV-1 and HSV-2. 69 women were randomly assigned to acyclovir and 56 to placebo. Although twice daily acyclovir reduced rates of HSV-2 genital shedding, (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.24; 95% Cl 0.12 to 0.48; less than p<0.001). it had no effect on the proportion of visits at which HIV-1 shedding was detected (AOR 1.08; 95% Cl 0.48 to 2.42; p = 0.9). Adherence varied between participants but even when adherence was high (as determined by pill count and extent of HSV-2 suppression) HIV-1 shedding was not reduced. Conclusion: Among these HIV-1 and HSV-2-seropositive women, suppressive acyclovir therapy had no effect on the rate of HIV genital shedding despite a reduction in genital HSV-2. Treatment adherence and its measurement clearly affect the interpretation of these results.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)548-553
Number of pages6
JournalSexually Transmitted Infections
Volume84
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2008

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