Effect of HSV-2 Suppressive Therapy on Sexual Behavior

Phase 4

Terminated

Brief Summary: The purpose of this study is to determine what effect suppressive therapy has on sexual behavior and quality of life among persons with genital herpes (HSV) who have multiple sex partners.

Study terminated; investigator relocated and study funding ended. Results were never analyzed because data were not collected.

Detailed Description: We plan to conduct a randomized controlled trial of chronic suppressive acyclovir, 400 mg orally twice daily (standard dose) versus episodic acyclovir for treatment of genital herpes recurrences. We will enroll 500 HSV-2 seropositive single persons (250 per arm), stratified by gender and history of symptomatic genital herpes, and prospectively follow them for 1 year to assess sexual behavior, adherence to therapy, and herpes-related quality of life. These outcomes will be measured by self-report in a confidential, computer-based assessment. We plan to use data from this trial to model the effect that increasing the proportion of sexually-active HSV-2 infected persons taking suppressive therapy will have on population-level incidence and prevalence of HSV-2.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Age 18 years or older
HSV-2 seropositive by Western blot OR documented culture positive for HSV-2 from anogenital site
2 or more vaginal or anal sex partners in the past 12 months
Not currently in a monogamous sexual relationship of >= 6 months duration
Willing and able to be randomized and comply with the study protocol

Exclusion Criteria

Pregnancy or intention to become pregnant within the next year
Suppressive therapy with acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir within 2 weeks of enrollment/randomization
6 or more symptomatic herpes recurrences in the prior 12 months or in the 12 months prior to starting suppressive therapy if on suppressive therapy during the prior 12 months
HIV seropositive or known immunocompromising medical condition. HIV negative test must be performed within 60 days of Visit 1 (enrollment/randomization). For current or former participants in HIV vaccine clinical trials for whom HIV vaccine-induced seropositivity potentially leading to vaccine study unblinding may be a concern, a report from the Seattle HVTU documenting that the participant is HIV uninfected based on HIV testing done within 60 days of Visit 1 will be accepted in lieu of HIV testing done at our clinic.
Intention to move from the Seattle area within the next year
Known allergy, intolerance, or medical contraindication to acyclovir
Inability to understand, speak, and read English

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Suppressive Therapy Arm	acyclovir	400 mg acyclovir orally twice daily for 1 year
Episodic Treatment Arm	acyclovir	800 mg acyclovir orally 3 times daily for 2 days at the start of a genital herpes recurrence

Primary Outcome Measures