title: Herpes simplex virus shedding and plasma human immunodeficiency virus RNA levels in coinfected women.
abstract: Asymptomatic herpes simplex virus (HSV) shedding was described in a cohort of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected women, and the association of HSV shedding with changes in plasma HIV RNA load was investigated. Genital, rectal, and oral swabs were obtained daily during a 4-week period for polymerase chain reaction and culture, and concomitant plasma specimens were drawn 3 times weekly for determination of HIV RNA load. During the study, 70% and 79% of subjects shed HSV from the oral cavity and genital area, respectively. Shedding of HSV occurred for a mean of 3.2 days for oral shedding and 5.4 days for genital shedding. Mean plasma HIV RNA loads during periods of HSV shedding and nonshedding and for periods 3 days after the cessation of shedding were compared; no significant differences were found (P=.74). In women who shed HSV, as evaluated by detection of virus, plasma HIV RNA load did not fluctuate with HSV shedding.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA. maugenbraun@downstate.edu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Augenbraun
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Corey
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Reichelderfer
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Koelle
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Robison
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006678:HIV / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology*; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014766:Viremia / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral