PLoS ONE (Jan 2009)

Characteristics of HIV-1 discordant couples enrolled in a trial of HSV-2 suppression to reduce HIV-1 transmission: the partners study.

  • Jairam R Lingappa,
  • Erin Kahle,
  • Nelly Mugo,
  • Andrew Mujugira,
  • Amalia Magaret,
  • Jared Baeten,
  • Elizabeth A Bukusi,
  • Craig R Cohen,
  • Elly Katabira,
  • Allan Ronald,
  • James Kiarie,
  • Carey Farquhar,
  • Grace John Stewart,
  • Joseph Makhema,
  • M Essex,
  • Edwin Were,
  • Kenneth Fife,
  • Guy Debruyn,
  • Glenda Gray,
  • James McIntyre,
  • Rachel Manongi,
  • Saidi Kapiga,
  • David Coetzee,
  • Susan Allen,
  • Mubiana Inambao,
  • Kayitesi Kayitenkore,
  • Etienne Karita,
  • William Kanweka,
  • Sinead Delany,
  • Helen Rees,
  • Bellington Vwalika,
  • Robert W Coombs,
  • Rhoda Morrow,
  • William Whittington,
  • Lawrence Corey,
  • Anna Wald,
  • Connie Celum,
  • Partners HSV-2/HIV-1 Transmission Study Team

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0005272
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 4, no. 4
p. e5272

Abstract

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The Partners HSV-2/HIV-1 Transmission Study (Partners Study) is a phase III, placebo-controlled trial of daily acyclovir for genital herpes (HSV-2) suppression among HIV-1/HSV-2 co-infected persons to reduce HIV-1 transmission to their HIV-1 susceptible partners, which requires recruitment of HIV-1 serodiscordant heterosexual couples. We describe the baseline characteristics of this cohort.HIV-1 serodiscordant heterosexual couples, in which the HIV-1 infected partner was HSV-2 seropositive, had a CD4 count >or=250 cells/mcL and was not on antiretroviral therapy, were enrolled at 14 sites in East and Southern Africa. Demographic, behavioral, clinical and laboratory characteristics were assessed.Of the 3408 HIV-1 serodiscordant couples enrolled, 67% of the HIV-1 infected partners were women. Couples had cohabitated for a median of 5 years (range 2-9) with 28% reporting unprotected sex in the month prior to enrollment. Among HIV-1 susceptible participants, 86% of women and 59% of men were HSV-2 seropositive. Other laboratory-diagnosed sexually transmitted infections were uncommon (500 relative to <350, respectively, p<0.001).The Partners Study successfully enrolled a cohort of 3408 heterosexual HIV-1 serodiscordant couples in Africa at high risk for HIV-1 transmission. Follow-up of this cohort will evaluate the efficacy of acyclovir for HSV-2 suppression in preventing HIV-1 transmission and provide insights into biological and behavioral factors determining heterosexual HIV-1 transmission.ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00194519.