Inducing Immune Quiescence the Genital Tract With ASA

There are 33.4 million individuals living with HIV/AIDS worldwide. Despite successful HIV prevention strategies such as condom use and reduction of sexual partners, HIV continues to spread at an alarming rate. In 2010, 2.6 millions of new infections were detected. In Sub-Saharan Africa, women represent the two-third of all new infections1. Despite the efforts of the scientific community, there is still no commercial vaccine or microbicide available.

To explain this natural protection against HIV, different mechanisms have been identified. These women have a unique immune phenotype that we called Immune Quiescence. This phenotype is characterized by lower expression of genes involved in cellular activation, lower resting levels of inflammatory cytokine production, lower level of systemic activated T cells, increased levels of systemic T regulatory, increased production of anti-viral anti-protease serpins at the female genital tract and reduced numbers of HIV target cells (mainly CD4+ CCR5+ T cells) in the FGT This project aims to induce an Immune Quiescence phenotype (decreasing immune activation) to prevent HIV infection

HIV is an important global health issue. Globally, HIV is mostly transmitted through heterosexual sexual activity, and women bear the brunt of the pandemic as two-third are in women. New preventive strategies need to be developed to empower women to protect themselves. In Nairobi, Kenya, there are around 27 000 sex workers and despite prevention efforts, HIV incidence is very high in this vulnerable group which serves as catalyzers for HIV transmission to the community. Among those sex workers, despite being at higher risk of infection, some rare individuals remain HIV exposed seronegative (HESN). Over the years, our group has tried to understand this natural protection to HIV infection. The investigators discovered that in HESN individuals, the basal level of activation of the immune system is lower than in other people. This includes having few HIV target cells, mainly CD4+ CCR5+ T cells, in their genital tract. The investigators called this special phenotype Immune Quiescence (IQ). In a recent pilot study (Limiting HIV target cells by Inducing Immune Quiescence in the female genital tract ) the investigators showed that in non-sex worker women it is possible to decrease the proportion of HIV target cells and/or HIV co-receptor at the female genital tract by using anti-inflammatory drugs.

Herein, the investigators are proposing to conduct a follow-up study in female sex workers to determine the best drug formulation and drug size effect on reducing HIV target cell number at the female genital tract (FGT). Participants will receive acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) (81mg/day), ASA (325mg/day), or nothing for five months. At visit 1, the baseline immune activation level of the participants will be determined. In this way, every woman will serve as her own control thereby reducing the variation between tested and control groups. Participants will be randomized and ask to take the drug daily. Participants will be followed on a monthly basis. At each study visit, blood, cervico-vaginal lavage and cervical cells will be taken to determine the level of immune activation. This study is a critical "second step" in the rational development of HIV preventive biomedical method.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age greater of 18 years and less than 45
* Be active in sex work for five years or less
* Uterus and cervix present
* Willing to take daily the study drug (acetylsalicylic acid)
* Willing to undergo pelvic exams
* In general good health, no chronic infection and not taking any anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressors
* Being HIV negative
* Without any cardiovascular disease

Exclusion Criteria:

* Age less than 18 or more than 45
* Breastfeeding
* Pregnant in the last 12 months
* Presence of sexual transmissible disease or bacterial vaginosis at enrollment
* Menopausal
* Pregnancy (if a women becomes pregnant during the study she will be excluded)
* Not being involve in sex work or being involved in sex work for more than 6 years
* Having a chronic disease
* Consumption of the medication listed in appendix entitled: list of other medication for health conditions
* Being allergic to acetylsalicylic acid, other medication for pain or fever, tartrazine or any other medication
* Having heartburn, stomach pain, stomach ulcer, anemia, hemophilia, kidney or liver disease, psoriasis, porphyria or other blood disease, G-6-PD deficiency, dermatitis (skin inflammation), alcoholism
* Having a history of a diagnosed cardiovascular event, heart failure, peripheral arterial disease, angina, stoke, transient ischemic attack
* Having a current or recurrent condition with a high risk of major bleeding
* Having anemia
* Current participation in a clinical trial