Unregistered User If this is not your name, click here.
		Contact Us | Order Now | Journals | Bookstore | Register a colleague
	Select a ChannelAcneAIDS and HIVAllergy OtherAlzheimer'sAnaesthesiology OtherAngina Pectoris/MIAnxietyArthritis OtherAsthmaBack PainBacterial InfectionsBladder CancerBone Marrow TransplantationBreast CancerCardiology OtherCataractCell TransplantationCervical CancerCholesterol/Lipid disordersCirrhosisClinical PharmacologyColorectal CancerCongestive Heart FailureContact DermatitisContraceptionCOPDCystic FibrosisDental and Oral DisordersDepressionDermatology OtherDiabetesDialysisEating DisordersElbowEmergency MedicineEndocrinology OtherEpilepsyErectile DysfunctionFibromyalgiaGastro OtherGeneticsGenitourinary OtherGeriatricsGERD/GastritisGlaucomaH. Pylori/UlcerHaematology OtherHair LossHeadachesHepa/Biliary OtherHepatitisHipHRTHypertensionIBDImmunologyInfectious OtherInfertilityIntensive CareIrritable Bowel SyndromeKneeLeukemiasLiver CancerLung CancerLupusLymphomasMelanomaMenopauseMultiple Sclerosis Nephrology OtherNeurologic OtherNutritional / Metabolic OtherOb/Gyn OtherObesityOncology OtherOphth. OtherOphthalmic SurgeryOrgan TransplantationOrthopaedics OtherOsteoarthritisOsteoporosisOtitisOtorhino. OtherOvarian CancerPaediatricsPainPancreatic CancerParkinson'sPregnancyProstate CancerPsychiatry OtherPulmonary OtherRadiologyRenal CancerRenal FailureRespiratory InfectionsRheumatoid arthritisRheumatology OtherRhinitisSchizophreniaShoulderSleep ApnoeaSleep DisordersSpineStrokeSTDsSurgeryThyroid DisordersTransfusionTransplant Surgery OtherTraumaUrinary IncontinenceUrinary tract infectionsVaccinologyVascular DisordersViral Infections

SEARCH   News Bookstore Medline The Web Meetings & Congresses Complete Doctor's Guide    EXPLORE :    All News   All Webcasts   All Cases   All Meetings & Congresses   All Medical Resources New drugs / indications English Dictionary Medical Dictionary Thesaurus Warning | Privacy | Awards  Favourite Journals  Click here to choose your favourite journals  Favourite Sites  Click here to choose your favourite sites  Languages  Select languageEnglishFrançais

Aciclovir Does Not Reduce HIV Acquisition in Women or Gay Men With Genital Herpes NEW YORK -- June 20, 2008 -- The antiviral drug aciclovir does not reduce HIV-1 acquisition in women or men who have sex with men with genital herpes. These are the conclusions of authors of an article in this week's edition of The Lancet. Across many observational studies, herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2) infection, is associated with a 2-fold to 3-fold increased risk for HIV-1 infection. Connie Celum, MD, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, and colleagues investigated whether HSV-2 suppression with aciclovir would reduce the risk of HIV-1 infection. The researchers performed a randomised, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial in HIV-negative, HSV-2-positive women in Africa and men who have sex with men (MSM) from sites in Peru and the United States. Participants received either aciclovir 400 mg or placebo for 12 to18 months. Participants were seen monthly for dispensation of the study drug, adherence counselling and measurement by pill count and self-reporting, and risk reduction counselling. Participants were seen every 3 months for genital examination and HIV testing. The primary outcome was HIV-1 infection and the secondary outcome was incidence of HSV-2 genital ulcers. A total of 3,172 participants were included in the analysis. The incidence of HIV-1 was 3.9 per 100 person-years in the aciclovir group and 3.3 per 100 person-years in the placebo group. Incidence of genital ulcers was reduced by 47% in the aciclovir group, and incidence of genital ulcers confirmed to be due to HSV-2 was reduced by 63% in the aciclovir group. No serious adverse events were recorded in relation to aciclovir. The authors concluded, "Our results show that suppressive therapy with standard doses of aciclovir is not effective in reduction of HIV-1 acquisition in HSV-2 seropositive women and MSM. Novel strategies are needed to interrupt interactions between HSV-2 and HIV-1." They added that additional studies will be needed to determine whether the lack of efficacy of aciclovir in reducing HIV acquisition and less than expected efficacy in reducing genital ulcers is due to drug absorption and metabolism, clinical response of genital ulcers to aciclovir, or persistent genital immune response after HSV-2 reactivation. SOURCE: The Lancet E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version