Clinical and virologic efficacy of herpes simplex virus type 2 suppression by acyclovir in a multicontinent clinical trial

J Infect Dis. 2010 Apr 15;201(8):1164-8. doi: 10.1086/651381.

Abstract

Acyclovir suppressive therapy (400 mg twice daily) reduces herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 2-associated genital ulcer disease and lesional HSV shedding. In an international trial of acyclovir for suppression of HSV type 2 to prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquisition (HIV Prevention Trials Network 039), acyclovir had a smaller effect on the frequency of genital ulcer disease as well as a smaller effect on the frequency and quantity of lesional HSV DNA in African women and Peruvian men, compared with its effects in men in the United States. The observed regional variation in the clinical and virologic efficacy of acyclovir for HSV suppression warrants further evaluation of determinants of responses to acyclovir. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00076232.).

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acyclovir / therapeutic use*
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control
  • Herpes Genitalis / drug therapy*
  • Herpesvirus 2, Human / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Peru
  • South Africa
  • United States
  • Virus Shedding / drug effects
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Acyclovir

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT00076232