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Findings from a variety of investigations indicate that risk for acquiring HIV is increased among individuals who are infected with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Might suppression of HSV-2 infection reduce the risk for HIV acquisition? To find out, researchers conducted a double-blind study of acyclovir suppressive therapy among female recreational-facility workers in 19 communities in northwestern Tanzania. The women, aged 16 to 35, were HIV-seronegative and HSV-2–seropositive.
Participants were randomized to receive acyclovir (400 mg twice daily) or placebo. Among the 821 women who were enrolled, about 80% completed follow-up (mean duration, >1.5 years for each treatment group). Mobile clinics were used for follow-up visits, which o…