Abstract | OBJECTIVE: To summarize the randomized evidence regarding the association between acyclovir use and HIV-1 replication as measured by plasma HIV-1 RNA viral load among individuals coinfected with herpes simplex virus (HSV)-2. DESIGN: Meta-analysis of seven randomized trials conducted between 2000 and 2009. Inclusion criteria composed of acyclovir or valacyclovir use as prophylaxis among individuals coinfected with HIV-1 and HSV-2 who were ineligible for highly active antiretroviral therapy. HIV-1 viral load was the outcome. METHODS: Random-effects summarization was used to combine treatment effect estimates. Stratified and meta-regression analyses were used to compare estimated treatment effects by characteristics of trials and participants. RESULTS: The summary treatment effect estimate was -0.33 (95% confidence interval: -0.56, -0.10, 95% population effects interval: -0.74, 0.08) log(10) copies, an approximate halving of plasma viral load. However, there was marked heterogeneity (P < 0.001). Older median age, valacyclovir, higher compliance, earlier publication, and shorter study length were associated with a larger decrease in viral load as compared with their counterparts. CONCLUSION: Current evidence suggests a range of favorable effects of acyclovir on plasma HIV-1 viral load among persons coinfected with HSV-2.
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Authors | Christina Ludema, Stephen R Cole, Charles Poole, Haitao Chu, Joseph J Eron |
Journal | AIDS (London, England)
(AIDS)
Vol. 25
Issue 10
Pg. 1265-9
(Jun 19 2011)
ISSN: 1473-5571 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 21666542
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Acyclovir
(therapeutic use)
- HIV Infections
(complications, drug therapy, virology)
- HIV-1
(immunology)
- Herpes Genitalis
(complications, drug therapy, virology)
- Herpesvirus 2, Human
(isolation & purification)
- Humans
- RNA, Viral
- Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
- Viral Load
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