Association between cervical shedding of herpes simplex virus and HIV-1

AIDS. 2002 Dec 6;16(18):2425-30. doi: 10.1097/00002030-200212060-00007.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the association between the cervical shedding of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and HIV-1.

Design: A cross-sectional study on 200 women seropositive for both HSV-2 and HIV-1 was conducted in a family planning clinic at the Coast Provincial General Hospital, Mombasa, Kenya.

Main outcome measures: Quantities of HSV DNA (types 1 and 2) and HIV-1 RNA as well as the presence or absence of HIV-1 proviral DNA in cervical secretions were determined and compared.

Results: There was a significant correlation between the quantities of HSV DNA and HIV-1 RNA in the cervical secretions of HSV-shedding women (Pearson's r = 0.24, P = 0.05). A 10-fold increase in the quantity of cervical HSV DNA was associated with 1.35-fold higher cervical HIV-1-RNA levels (95% CI 1.00-1.81; P = 0.05), and with 1.36-fold greater odds of detection of HIV-1 proviral DNA (95% CI 1.05-1.75; P = 0.02).

Conclusion: Higher levels of cervical HSV were associated with higher levels of expressed HIV-1 and with the more frequent detection of HIV-1-infected cells in cervical secretions. Prospective studies are needed to explore further the association between non-ulcerative cervical HSV reactivation and HIV-1 shedding. Such a relationship may have important implications for interventions designed to slow the spread of HIV-1.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • DNA, Viral / analysis
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / transmission
  • HIV Infections / virology*
  • HIV Seropositivity
  • HIV-1 / genetics
  • HIV-1 / isolation & purification*
  • Herpes Genitalis / transmission
  • Herpes Genitalis / virology*
  • Herpesvirus 2, Human / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 2, Human / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • RNA, Viral / analysis
  • Uterine Cervical Diseases / virology*
  • Viral Load
  • Virus Shedding*

Substances

  • DNA, Viral
  • RNA, Viral