University of Washington
Grant: $75,861 - National Institutes of Health - Sep. 30, 2009
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Award Description: Vertical HIV-1 transmission rates continue to be high in resource limited settings, even when antiretroviral regimens are fully implemented. Current approaches to reducing vertical HIV-1 transmission during breastfeeding are primarily focused on modifying infant feeding and providing antiretrovirals to mothers and infants, which have been problematic from the standpoint of infant morbidity, nutrition, and antiretroviral drug resistance. Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is a significant risk factor for vertical HIV-1 transmission and a potential target for interventions. The NIH funded original study, 'HSV-2 Suppression to Reduce Maternal Plasma, Genital and Breast Milk HIV-1 Levels' (NIH/NICHD 1R03HD057773-01) is a randomized clinical trial designed to compare HIV-1 viral load in plasma, genital secretions and breast milk among HIV-1/HSV-2 co-infected women on valacyclovir 500 mg twice daily versus placebo. This supplement would provide extra support to perform HIV-1 viral load assays on postpartum plasma and breast milk samples to accomplish Aim 1 of the original study: to determine whether valacyclovir suppressive therapy reduces plasma breast milk HIV-1 viral load compared to placebo. Results from this pilot study will be used to design a large multi-site clinical trial to evaluate the effect of maternal HSV-2 suppression on infant HIV-1 acquisition. Furthermore, HSV-2 suppression may also have an effect on HIV-1 disease progression in pregnant and lactating women, as has been observed in a clinical trial in HIV-1 discordant couples. Data collected from this clinical trial will contribute to the body of information on the safety and efficacy of HSV-2 suppression in HIV-1-infected women and may help guide policy decisions around HSV-2 suppression in resource limited settings.
Project Description: Project recently awarded; no activity to date.
Jobs Summary: Not Applicable this Quarter (Total jobs reported: 0)
Project Status: Not Started
This award's data was last updated on Sep. 30, 2009. Help expand these official descriptions using the wiki below.
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