Effect of Acyclovir on HIV-1 Set Point among Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2-Seropositive Persons during Early HIV1 Infection

• Published in: The Journal of infectious diseases Vol. 202; no. 5; pp. 734 - 738
• Main Authors: Kim, H. Nina, Wang, Jing, Hughes, James, Coombs, Robert, Sanchez, Jorge, Reid, Stewart, Delany-Moretlwe, Sinead, Cowan, Frances, Fuchs, Jonathan, Eshleman, Susan H., Khaki, Leila, McMahon, Moira A., Siliciano, Robert F., Wald, Anna, Celum, Connie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: The University of Chicago Press 01-09-2010
• ISSN: 0022-1899; 1537-6613
• DOI: 10.1086/655662

We evaluated whether acyclovir suppression during human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) acquisition reduces HIV-1 set point, increases CD4 cell counts, and selects reverse-transcriptase mutations among 76 HIV-1 seroconverters identified in a placebo-controlled trial of twice-daily acyclovir (400 mg) for the prevention of HIV acquisition in herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2)-seropositive persons (HIV Prevention Trials Network study 039). We found no significant difference in plasma HIV-1 RNA levels (P = .30) or CD4 cell counts (P = .85) between the acyclovir and placebo recipients. V75I and other mutations in HIV-1 reverse transcriptase reported from in vitro acyclovir studies were not observed. In conclusion, acyclovir suppression during HIV-1 seroconversion and the subsequent 6 months does not affect HIV-1 set point.