New insights on interactions between HIV-1 and HSV-2

Abstract

Herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) infection is common and frequently asymptomatic. Concerns exist about the high prevalence of HSV-2, particularly in areas of high HIV prevalence, because of observations that HSV-2 is associated with an increased risk of HIV acquisition, transmission, and disease progression. Several randomized trials have tested or are testing whether HSV-2 treatment can limit the spread of HIV, with mixed results. Although treatment with acyclovir, 400 mg twice daily, does not reduce HIV incidence, suppressive acyclovir and valacyclovir reduce HIV levels in plasma and in the genital tract. Ongoing trials are evaluating whether HSV suppression will reduce HIV transmission and disease progression. Until a protective HSV-2 or HIV vaccine is available, effective interventions that reduce the effect of HSV-2 on HIV transmission are critically needed.

HIV sexual transmission and microbicides

“…In addition to the anti-HIV-1 activity, this gel also effectively reduced infections with HSV-2 by 51%. This is an important benign 'side effect', because the risk for HIV infection doubles for women that are infected with HSV-2 [236][237][238].…”

Imidocarb Dipropionate Clears PersistentBabesia caballiInfection with Elimination of Transmission Potential

“…The taxonomic range of pathogens that establish asymptomatic persistent infection is extremely broad, from RNA viruses to eukaryotic parasites (8,15,26). Among the latter, apicomplexan parasites in the genera Babesia, Plasmodium, and Theileria illustrate both the difficulty of effecting clearance with a limited repertoire of antimicrobial drugs and confirming that clearance and the elimination of subsequent transmission risk have been achieved (10,21,25,29).…”

Investing To Meet The Scientific Challenges Of HIV/AIDS

“…Most recently, two large studies that examined suppression of the herpes simplex virus HSV-2, which causes genital herpes, with the drug acyclovir as a possible means of reducing the risk of HIV transmission did not yield a successful result. 24 However, because of the strong epidemiologic data linking sexually transmitted infections with HIV acquisition and transmission; the biologic plausibility of controlling these infections as an HIV prevention strategy; and the availability of lowcost diagnostics and treatments for these infections, the concept of treating and preventing sexually transmitted infections as a possible tool in HIV prevention remains an important one. 3,22,25 Increasing evidence also links other infections (such as parasitic worm infections, TB, and malaria) with increased susceptibility to HIV infection or accelerated progression of HIV disease.…”