Characteristics of HIV-1 Discordant Couples Enrolled in a Trial of HSV-2 Suppression to Reduce HIV-1 Transmission: The Partners Study
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Author
Lingappa, Jairam R.
Kahle, Erin
Mugo, Nelly
Mujugira, Andrew
Magaret, Amalia
Baeten, Jared
Bukusi, Elizabeth A.
Cohen, Craig R.
Katabira, Elly
Ronald, Allan
Kiarie, James
Farquhar, Carey
Stewart, Grace John
Were, Edwin
Fife, Kenneth
deBruyn, Guy
Gray, Glenda
Manongi, Rachel
Coetzee, David
Allen, Susan
Inambao, Mubiana
Kayitenkore, Kayitesi
Karita, Etienne
Kanweka, William
Delany, Sinead
Rees, Helen
Vwalika, Bellington
Coombs, Robert W.
Morrow, Rhoda
Whittington, William
Corey, Lawrence
Wald, Anna
Celum, Connie
Emery, Sean
Note: Order does not necessarily reflect citation order of authors.
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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0005272Metadata
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Lingappa, Jairam R., Erin Kahle, Nelly Mugo, Andrew Mujugira, Amalia Magaret, Jared Baeten, Elizabeth A. Bukusi, et al. 2009. Characteristics of HIV-1 Discordant Couples Enrolled in a Trial of HSV-2 Suppression to Reduce HIV-1 Transmission: The Partners Study. PLoS ONE 4(4): e5272.Abstract
Background: 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. Methods: HIV-1 serodiscordant heterosexual couples, in which the HIV-1 infected partner was HSV-2 seropositive, had a CD4 count ≥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. Results: 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 (<5%), except for Trichomonas vaginalis in 14% of HIV-1 infected women. Median baseline CD4 count for HIV-1 infected participants was 462 cells/mcL and median HIV-1 plasma RNA was 4.2 log10 copies/mL. After adjusting for age and African region, correlates of HIV-1 RNA level included male gender (+0.24 log10 copies/mL; p<0.001) and CD4 count (−0.25 and −0.55 log10 copies/mL for CD4 350–499 and >500 relative to <350, respectively, p<0.001). Conclusions: 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. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00194519Other Sources
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2671170/pdf/Terms of Use
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