Scientists Learn Why Even Treated Genital Herpes Sores Boost the Risk of HIV Infection

http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2009/herpesHIV.htm


With herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) being the most common sexually transmitted disease in the world the chance of getting HIV is increased by 2 to 3 times when an individual already has HSV-2. Why? A study was conducted to find out why having HSV-2 increased the chance of contracting HIV. Biopsies where taken from genital area of non HSV-2 individuals, and well as that of individuals with HSV-2. The test was conducted in different phases making sure to capture HSV-2 prior, during and post outbreak. The study concluded even though the people with HSV-2 had been given acyclovir (herpes medication) there weren’t a significant differences of those infected vs. unaffected who had taken the medication. The HSV-2 biopsies showed an increased risk of contracting HIV when the virus was introduced by 2-37 % increased risk than that of unaffected genital skin. More importantly finding the immune cell environment of HSV-2 biopsies where to a large extent more conductive to HIV infection. Dr. Corey stated “We hypothesized that sores and breaks in the skin from HSV-2 are associated with a long-lasting immune response at those locations, and that the response consists of an influx of cells that are a perfect storm for HIV infection,” which is alarming but a step in the right direction in understanding HIV and how it effects immune response. Developing a vaccine for HSV would possibly benefit in a decrease the risk of people contracting HIV.