OBJECTIVES To determine trends in the prevalence and aetiological distribution of genital ulcer syndrome (GUS) in a cohort of female bar workers and to assess factors associated with these trends. METHODS An open cohort of 600 women at high risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) was offered screening and treatment for STI at 3-month intervals. The prevalence of GUS and associate...

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether suppressive antiviral therapy improves health related quality of life in patients with recurrent genital herpes. METHODS Health related quality of life was measured using the disease specific recurrent genital herpes quality of life questionnaire (RGHQoL) as part of a randomized, double blind, 52 week, placebo controlled, dose ranging study of once and twice d...

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is considered to be one of the most frequent viral infectious agents in humans. Transmission of HSV from mother to foetus during pregnancy is uncommon with about 85% of transmission occurring perinatally, when neonates acquire HSV during vaginal birth from infected genital tract secretions. For women, who present with an episode of recurrent genital herpes several wee...

Genital herpes is a risk factor to acquire HIV-1 infection by sexual contact, by increasing both infectivity of an infected person and susceptibility to acquire HIV-1. Here we have investigated the mechanisms that underlie the increased susceptibility to HIV-1 when people have genital herpes. Under steady state conditions, LCs capture HIV-1 through interaction with the C-type lectin Langerin, r...

BACKGROUND We conducted a clinical study that tested the effect of suppressive treatment with the botanical product Gene-Eden-VIR/Novirin on genital herpes. Our previous paper showed that the treatment decreased the number of genital herpes outbreaks without any side effects. It also showed that the clinical effects of Gene-Eden-VIR/Novirin are mostly better than those reported in the studies t...

BACKGROUND Recurrent genital herpes is a major problem for patients worldwide. Early episodic treatment with short-course therapy is effective, often stopping progression of outbreaks. This study is the first head-to-head comparison of single-day famciclovir (1000 mg administered twice daily) versus 3-day valacyclovir (500 mg administered twice daily) for episodic therapy in immunocompetent pat...

More than a half-billion people worldwide are infected with genital herpes [1]. During primary infection, herpes simplex virus (HSV) establishes latency in lumbosacral dorsal root ganglia. The natural history of genital herpes is characterized by frequent episodes of recurrences that may be symptomatic or asymptomatic and that transmit virus to sexual partners or from mother to infant during la...

OBJECTIVE To determine whether the circumcision status of men affected their likelihood of acquiring sexually transmissible diseases (STDs). DESIGN A cross-sectional study employing an anonymous questionnaire, clinical examination and type specific serology for herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). SETTING A public STD clinic in Sydney, Australia. SUBJECTS 300 consecutive heterosexual male...

BACKGROUND Genital herpes is epidemic in the United States; long-term acyclovir therapy is common; and long-term use of antimicrobials in suppressive doses favors development of resistance. OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of and risk factors for acyclovir-resistant genital herpes. METHODS We identified and attempted to enroll all patients 18 years or older with suspected genital herpe...

Objectives: To describe the epidemiology of type specific recurrent genital herpes, and to compare the duration of recurrent genital lesions caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2. Methods: Participants were enrolled at clinics across the United States. Adults suspected of having active genital herpes were eligible. Lesions were cultured for HSV and typed. Data from 940 participants...