Kim HN, Wang J, Hughes J, Coombs R, Sanchez J, Reid S, Delany-Moretlwe S, Cowan F, Fuchs J, Eshleman SH, Khaki L, McMahon MA, Siliciano RF, Wald A, Celum C. Effect of Acyclovir on HIV 1 Set Point among Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Seropositive Persons during Early HIV 1 Infection. J Infect Dis. 2010, 202: 734-8. PMC2964878
Abstract:
We evaluated whether acyclovir suppression during human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) acquisition reduces HIV-1 set point, increases CD4 cell counts, and selects reverse-transcriptase mutations among 76 HIV-1 seroconverters identified in a placebo-controlled trial of twice-daily acyclovir (400 mg) for the prevention of HIV acquisition in herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2)-seropositive persons (HIV Prevention Trials Network study 039). We found no significant difference in plasma HIV-1 RNA levels (P =.30) or CD4 cell counts (P =.85) between the acyclovir and placebo recipients. V75I and other mutations in HIV-1 reverse transcriptase reported from in vitro acyclovir studies were not observed. In conclusion, acyclovir suppression during HIV-1 seroconversion and the subsequent 6 months does not affect HIV-1 set point.