A drug that Kenyan women have been using for a long time to treat herpes simplex infection might just hold the key to fighting the HIV virus and reduce significantly episodes of opportunistic infections.

Findings of the study done in Burkina Faso has left Kenyan scientists overjoyed after it indicated that the drug, valacyclovir (Valtrex), has the effect of reducing the amount of HIV in the body. 

Titled “Reduction of HIV-1 RNA Levels with Therapy to Suppress Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)”, the study notes the drug, which is used to manage genital herpes, can reduce the HIV virus in the blood by 70 per cent. 

“With the use of summary-measures analysis, valacyclovir therapy was found to be associated with a significant decrease in the frequency of genital HIV-1 RNA,” say the researchers from Centre Muraz (Burkina Faso), the University of Montpellier (France) and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (UK) who did the study. 

They add: “Daily treatment with valacyclovir for 3 months significantly diminished the shedding of HIV-1 RNA, reduced plasma HIV-1 RNA levels, and reduced genital HIV-1 RNA levels when shedding was present in women co-infected with HIV-1 and HSV-2.”

They suspect that longer treatment duration of herpes using the valacyclovir drug is likely to reduce further the amount of the HIV virus in the body. 

But they are fast to recommend for further research in the area before a conclusive proposal is made on the matter for governments adopt it as part of their HIV management strategy. 

“These findings may have important implications for HIV control,” they conclude in their study published in the February 2007 New England Journal of Medicine. 

This means the drug might be used to dramatically reduce the spread of HIV and delay progression from HIV to AIDS.

Developing a vaccine using the knowledge gathered in this study is another area being explored. 

Says Dr Philippe Mayaud, one of the researchers: “An HSV vaccine that would either prevent HSV infection or diminish the clinical and sub-clinical manifestations of HSV with a similar efficacy on HIV as HSV suppressive therapy would represent a long-lasting form of HIV prevention. The development and evaluation of an HSV vaccine should rank high on the international research agenda.” 

“Our results have important potential implications for public health and clinical practice, as HSV-2 control could become a new form of HIV prevention targeting HIV-infected individuals as well as providing clinical benefits,” he adds. 

Already, scientists, including those in Kenya who concur Mayaud’s thoughts are now calling for further investigations to help explore how the drug can be used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS. 

During the Burkina Faso study, the 140 women who participated had high levels of CD4 count (immune cells used to fight diseases, and which are targeted by HIV). 

They were also infected with both HIV and herpes. Those who were not using the drug (the placebo group) registered increase in HIV amount. 

Yet, in 70 of those who were given valacyclovir, their HIV copies had dropped from 25,000 copies per milliliter of blood to 8,000 per milliliter after they were took 500mg of the drug twice-daily for three months. 

According to the researchers, the effect produced by the drug is the same as the one that would be registered if the women were given Zidovudine or AZT drug, an antiretroviral drug approved by the government in its treatment guidelines. 

But they are fast to caution that the findings are not conclusive. Says Mayaud: “It’s important to know if the effect is sustained over a long period. There is need for long-term studies of valacyclovir’s effect on HIV infection.” 

Lawrence Corey of the University of Washington in Seattle, US is quoted in the New Scientists as saying: “Because so many people in the world are co-infected, we should spend more time on that.” 

Nevertheless, this significant drop in the virus particles is good news as it delays the transition from HIV to AIDS, a condition where the infected individuals becomes vulnerable to opportunistic infections, some of which can result in death if not managed well. 

If additional studies prove the efficacy of this anti-herpes drug in reducing HIV copies, then there will be need for new policy on pricing of valacyclovir, the dosage, and other guidelines around who should take it.

Herpes is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a herpes simplex virus 1 and 2. There is Oral herpes which cause cold sores around the mouth or face and Genital herpes that affects the genitals, buttocks or anal area.

Genital herpes can also be acquired through having oral sex and affects both men and women.

Mothers can too infect their babies with the virus during child birth. While some people do not show symptoms, others have sores near the area where the virus has entered the body.  

The infection is generally marked by painful, watery blisters in the skin or mucous membranes around the genitals, mouth or lips.

Studies have shown that between five and nine out of 10 people in Africa who are HIV positive are also infected with herpes simplex virus. It is also estimated that 60 per cent of African are infected with herpes regardless of their HIV status. 

In Kenya, herpes is rated as one of the most prevalent opportunistic infection that attacks people living with HIV. 

Findings of this study are therefore good news to over two million Kenyans living with the virus. 

How does this anti-herpes drug work to reduce amount of HIV in teh body. The researchers in the study believe valacyclovir reduces HIV infection by reducing copies of the herpes virus. 

When a person has Herpes, the disease leaves lesions in the genital area that causes replication of CD4+ T lymphocytes, a type of immune cells that provides the right environment for HIV infection and multiplication. These immune cells are attracted to teh area where the herpes is. 

These lesions make it easy for HIV transmission to take place. By reducing herpes, the levels of CD4+ T lymphocytes are too reduced. 

The only problem with this good news is the price of the herpes drug. Dr Nelly Kimani, a pharmacist at Lemuma pharmacy says a five day dose of the drugs costs a minimum of Sh 3,000.

“Due to the high price, the demand of the drug is low. That is why we are not keen in stocking a lot it as it may expire before it is bought.” 

The drug sells in the market as Valtrex. Going by this cost and the 3 three months duration suggest by the Burkina Faso research as the period the valacyclovir has to been taken to reduce the HIV virus, the money works-out to Sh 54,000.

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