• Rhoda S Sperling, Kenneth H Fife, Terri J Warren, Lynn P Dix, and Clare A Brennan.
• Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York City, New York, USA.
• Sex Transm Dis. 2008 Mar 1; 35 (3): 286-90.

BackgroundA substantial number of HSV-2 seropositive individuals lack a history of clinically recognized genital herpes. These individuals can transmit disease during periods of asymptomatic viral shedding. The frequency of asymptomatic shedding and the efficacy of antiviral therapy in reducing shedding has not been assessed in this population.ObjectiveTo compare the effect of valacyclovir 1 g once daily for 60 days versus placebo on asymptomatic viral shedding in immunocompetent, HSV-2 seropositive subjects without a history of symptomatic genital herpes infection.Study DesignSeventy-three subjects were randomized to receive valacyclovir 1 g daily or placebo for 60 days each in a 2-way crossover design. A daily swab of the genital area was self-collected for HSV-2 detection by polymerase chain reaction.ResultsFifty-six subjects with at least 1 polymerase chain reaction measurement in both treatment periods comprised the primary efficacy population. Valacyclovir significantly reduced shedding during subclinical days compared to placebo [mean, 1.5% vs. 5.1% of subclinical days (P <0.001), a 71% reduction]. Eighty-four percent of subjects had no shedding while receiving valacyclovir versus 54% of subjects on placebo (P <0.001). Eighty-eight percent of patients receiving valacyclovir had no recognized signs or symptoms versus 77% for placebo (P = 0.033). Valacyclovir was not associated with any safety risk compared with placebo.ConclusionsIn this study, asymptomatic viral shedding occurred in a substantial number of HSV-2 seropositive subjects without a history of genital herpes. Valacyclovir 1 g daily significantly reduced asymptomatic shedding compared with placebo in this population.

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