Valacyclovir therapy does not reverse herpes-associated alterations in cervical immunology: a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial.

Author(s): Yi TJ(1), Shannon B(1), Chieza L(2), Su D(3), Saunders M(2), Tharao W(2), Huibner S(1), Remis R(3), Raboud J(3), Kaul R(1).

Affiliation(s): Author information: (1)Department of Medicine Department of Immunology. (2)Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre, Toronto, Canada. (3)Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto.

Publication date & source: 2014, J Infect Dis. , 210(5):708-12

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.