The role of herpes simplex virus type 2 and other genital infections in the acquisition of HIV-1 among high-risk women in northern Tanzania.
Kapiga, Saidi H;
Sam, Noel E;
Bang, Heejung;
Ni, Quanhong;
Ao, Trong TH;
Kiwelu, Ireen;
Chiduo, Sarah;
Ndibe, Uzodinma;
Seage, George;
Coplan, Paul;
+3 more...Shao, John;
Rosenberg, Zeda F;
Essex, Max;
(2007)
The role of herpes simplex virus type 2 and other genital infections in the acquisition of HIV-1 among high-risk women in northern Tanzania.
The Journal of infectious diseases, 195 (9).
pp. 1260-1269.
ISSN 0022-1899
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1086/513566
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BACKGROUND: We examined the role of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and other genital infections on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) incidence in a cohort study conducted between 2002 and 2005 among female bar/hotel workers in Moshi, Tanzania. METHODS: At baseline and every 3 months thereafter, participants were interviewed, and blood and genital samples were collected. Predictors of HIV-1 incidence were evaluated using a Cox proportional hazards regression model. RESULTS: Of 845 women who were HIV-1 seronegative at baseline, 689 (81.5%) were monitored in the study for a total of 698.6 person-years at risk (PYARs). The overall HIV-1 incidence was 4.6/100 PYARs (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.0-6.2/100 PYARs), and condom use was very low. After adjustment for other risk factors, the risk of HIV-1 was increased among women with HSV-2 at baseline (hazard ratio [HR], 4.3 [95% CI, 1.5-12.4]) and in those who acquired HSV-2 during the study period (HR, 5.5 [95% CI, 1.2-25.4]). Other independent predictors of HIV-1 were baseline chlamydial infection (HR, 5.2), bacterial vaginosis (HR, 2.1), and the occurrence of genital ulcers (HR, 2.7). CONCLUSION: HSV-2 and other genital infections were the most important risk factors for HIV-1. Control of these infections could help to reduce HIV-1 incidence in this population.