Herpes simplex virus shedding and plasma human immunodeficiency virus RNA levels in coinfected women.
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.
Augenbraun
M
M
Department of Medicine, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA. maugenbraun@downstate.edu
Corey
L
L
Reichelderfer
P
P
Wright
D J
DJ
Burns
D
D
Koelle
D M
DM
Robison
E
E
Cohen
M
M
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
D012367:RNA, Viral