Herpes Simplex Virus Type-2 (HSV-2) Cervico-Vaginal Shedding among Women Living with HIV-1 on Antiretroviral Therapy in Burkina Faso

The impact of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2) replication is unclear. The aim of this study was to assess factors associated with cervico-vaginal HSV-2 DNA shedding and genital ulcer disease (GUD) in a cohort of women living with HIV-1 in Burkina Faso.

Participants were screened for cervico-vaginal HSV-2 DNA, GUD, cervico-vaginal and systemic HIV-1 RNA and reproductive tract infections every 3-6 months over 8 years. Associations with HSV-2 shedding and quantity were examined using random effects logistic and linear regression, respectively.

Of the 236 women with data on HSV-2 shedding, 151 took ART during the study period. Cervico-vaginal HSV-2 DNA was detected in 42% (99/236) of women in 8.2% of visits (151/1848). ART was associated with a reduction in HSV-2 shedding which declined for each year on ART. In the multivariable model, the impact of ART was primarily associated with suppression of systemic HIV-1 RNA. A reduction in GUD was also observed while on ART, mainly in those with HIV-1 viral suppression.

ART is strongly associated with a decrease in cervico-vaginal HSV-2 shedding, and the impact was sustained over several years.

Full article at: http://goo.gl/e4HS5v

By: Low AJ1, Nagot N2, Weiss HA1, Konate I3, Kania D3, Segondy M2, Meda N3, van de Perre P2, Mayaud P1.

• 1London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK.
• 2UMR 1058 University of Montpellier & Montpellier University Hospital F-34295 Montpellier, France.
• 3Centre Muraz, Bobo-Dioulasso, 01 BP 390, Burkina Faso.  

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