High-dose valacyclovir decreases plasma HIV-1 RNA more than standard-dose acyclovir in persons coinfected with HIV-1 and HSV-2: a randomized crossover trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Standard doses of herpes simplex virus (HSV) suppressive therapy reduce plasma HIV-1 RNA levels (0.25-0.53 log10 copies per milliliter) among HIV-1/HSV-2 coinfected persons. Postulated mechanisms for this effect include direct inhibition of HIV-1 by acyclovir or indirect reduction by decreasing HSV-associated inflammation. We hypothesized that high-dose valacyclovir would further reduce plasma HIV-1 RNA and that the effect would be mediated by greater suppression of HSV shedding.

Methods

Thirty-four participants with HIV-1 and HSV-2 not on antiretroviral therapy were enrolled into a randomized, open-label crossover trial of valacyclovir 1000 mg twice daily or acyclovir 400 mg twice daily for 12 weeks, followed by a 2-week washout, and then the alternate treatment

SUBMITTER: Perti T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3738066 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature