1. Valacyclovir Therapy Does Not Reverse Herpes-Associated Alterations in Cervical Immunology: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial
- Author
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Brett Shannon, Sanja Huibner, DeSheng Su, Lisungu Chieza, Janet Raboud, Megan Saunders, Wangari Tharao, Tae Joon Yi, Robert S. Remis, and Rupert Kaul
- Subjects
Adult ,CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ,Canada ,Herpesvirus 2, Human ,viruses ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Acyclovir ,Cervix Uteri ,Biology ,Placebo ,medicine.disease_cause ,Antiviral Agents ,Proinflammatory cytokine ,Placebos ,Leukocyte Count ,Young Adult ,medicine ,Humans ,Immunology and Allergy ,Cervix ,Aged ,Cross-Over Studies ,Herpes Genitalis ,HIV ,virus diseases ,Valine ,Dendritic Cells ,Middle Aged ,Crossover study ,Clinical trial ,Treatment Outcome ,Infectious Diseases ,Cytokine ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Herpes simplex virus ,Mucosal immunology ,Valacyclovir ,Immunology ,Cytokines ,Female - Abstract
Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection is associated with a 3-fold increase in the risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquisition, perhaps through alterations in mucosal HIV-susceptible target cells. We performed a clinical trial to assess the impact of herpes therapy on cervical immunology in HSV-2-infected, HIV-uninfected women from Africa or the Caribbean who were living in Toronto, Canada. Thirty participants received 1 g of valacyclovir orally each day for 2 months in a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. Valacyclovir did not reduce the number of cervical CD4(+) T cells, the number of dendritic cells, or the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and tended to increase the expression of the HIV coreceptor CCR5 and the activation marker CD69. Short-term valacyclovir therapy did not reverse HSV-2-associated alterations in genital immunology. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT00946556.
- Published
- 2014