Effect of Tenofovir on Genital Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Shedding
Herpes Simplex Type II
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Herpes Simplex Type II
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Women age 18-50
- HSV-2 seropositive by the University of Washington (UW) Western blot
- History of recurrent genital herpes, with more than 4 recurrences but less than 10 in the last year or, if currently on suppressive therapy, with more than 4 recurrences but less than 10 in the year prior to starting suppressive therapy
- HIV negative
- General good health
- Willing to not use antiviral therapy (other than the study drug) for the duration of the study
- Willing to obtain a swab from genital secretions twice daily for the duration of the study
- Willing to use effective birth control
- Able to provide written informed consent at screening and enrollment
Exclusion Criteria:
- HIV positive or at high risk for HIV acquisition (intravenous drug user or HIV+ sex partner)
- Hepatitis B (HepB) antigen (Ag) positive, or at high risk for HepB acquisition and not vaccinated
- Have a history of adverse reaction to tenofovir and/or adefovir
- Immunosuppressive medications, except for intranasal or topical (not high potency) steroids.
- Any kidney disease, or renal insufficiency, defined as serum creatinine >1.5 mg/dl. Participants with a prior history of a single episode of pyelonephritis will be eligible.
- Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) > 3 times upper limit of normal
- Pregnancy, as confirmed by a urine pregnancy test, planning to become pregnant during the course of the trial, or breast-feeding.
- Serious medical conditions or active infections
- Any other conditions that in the judgment of the investigator would preclude successful completion of the clinical trial.
Sites / Locations
- University of Washington Virology Research Clinic
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Arm 4
No Intervention
Experimental
Experimental
Placebo Comparator
Run-in Phase
Study Drug Phase: TDF
Study Drug Phase: Vaginal TFV Gel
Study Drug Phase: Double Placebo
Women will first participate in a run-in phase with twice daily swabbing.
Participants will take tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) tablets and apply a placebo vaginal gel. Participants will begin treatment and swab the genital region twice daily for 5 more weeks. Study drugs will be administered once daily.
Participants will take oral placebo tablets and apply a tenofovir 1% (TFV) vaginal gel. Participants will begin treatment and swab the genital region twice daily for 5 more weeks. Study drugs will be administered once daily.
Participants will take oral placebo tablets and apply a placebo vaginal gel. Participants will begin treatment and swab the genital region twice daily for 5 more weeks. Study drugs will be administered once daily.