Rationale: This study was launched based on observational data in HIV-positive people, who were also infected with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), that showed a connection between HSV-2 infection and/or ulcers and risk of HIV transmission to sexual partners.
Study question(s): This study looked at whether treating HSV-2 infection in the HIV-positive partner within a serodiscordant heterosexual couple (a couple in which one partner has HIV and the other does not) will reduce the chances that he or she will transmit the HIV virus to the uninfected partner.
Participants: 3,000 HIV-serodiscordant heterosexual couples
Countries: Botswana, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia
Trial sponsors and collaborators: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, University of Washington
When were results released? Results were announced May 2009. There was no evidence of reduced rates of HIV transmission. Rates of genital ulcers were significantly reduced in participants who received suppressive treatment, as compared to those in the control arm, who received treatment only for symptomatic outbreaks. Suppressive treatment of HSV-2 infection also led to a 40% viral load reduction, as compared to HIV/HSV-2 infected participants in the control arm.
To learn more visit:
http://www.ias2009.org/pag/Abstracts.aspx?SID=2436&AID=3699
http://www.ias2009.org/pag/Abstracts.aspx?SID=2436&AID=3714
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00194519?cntry1=AF%3AKE&rank=2