Acyclovir Suppresses Subclinical Shedding of Herpes Simplex Virus
Authors: Stephen E. Straus
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1996)

Letters1 November 1996Acyclovir Suppresses Subclinical Shedding of Herpes Simplex VirusStephen E. Straus, MD, James F. Rooney, MD, and Claire Hallahan, MDStephen E. Straus, MDNational Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Bethesda, MD 20892.Search for more papers by this author, James F. Rooney, MDNational Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Bethesda, MD 20892.Search for more papers by this author, and Claire Hallahan, MDNational Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Bethesda, MD 20892.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-125-9-199611010-00015 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:Asymptomatic shedding of herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a prominent factor in the transmission of genital herpes. Theoretically, reducing the rate of asymptomatic HSV shedding could reduce virus transmission. Our study [1] showed that suppressive acyclovir had little effect on asymptomatic genital shedding; these findings contrast with those of Wald and colleagues [2]. We reanalyzed our data in the hope that the basis for the conflicting findings could be explained.Our study involved patients with recurring genital herpes who obtained cultures from themselves and maintained symptom and lesion diaries for a total of more than 6500 days. ...References1. Straus SE, Seidlin M, Takiff HE, Rooney JF, Felser JM, Smith HA, et al. Effect of oral acyclovir treatment on symptomatic and asymptomatic virus shedding in recurrent genital herpes. Sex Transm Dis. 1989; 16:107-13. Google Scholar2. Wald A, Zeh J, Barnum G, Davis LG, Corey L. Suppression of subclinical shedding of herpes simplex virus type 2 with acyclovir. Ann Intern Med. 1996; 124(1 pt 1):8-15. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Stephen E. Straus, MD; James F. Rooney, MD; Claire Hallahan, MDAffiliations: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Bethesda, MD 20892. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byEvolution of rational vaccine designs for genital herpes immunotherapyHerpesvirus Research at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: Thirty Years of ProgressOnce Daily Valacyclovir for Reducing Viral Shedding in Subjects Newly Diagnosed with Genital HerpesThe Effect of Daily Valacyclovir Suppression on Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Viral Shedding in HSV-2 Seropositive Subjects Without a History of Genital HerpesEffect of Valacyclovir on Viral Shedding in Immunocompetent Patients With Recurrent Herpes Simplex Virus 2 Genital Herpes: A US-Based Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical TrialThe efficacy of valacyclovir in preventing recurrent herpes simplex virus infections associated with dental proceduresHerpes simplex virus type 2 and heterosexual spread of human immunodeficiency virus infection in developing countries: hypotheses and research prioritiesHerpesviruses 1 November 1996Volume 125, Issue 9Page: 776KeywordsGenital anatomyHerpes simplexLesionsRelative risk ePublished: 15 August 2000 Issue Published: 1 November 1996 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 1996 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...