Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Genital Herpes - "The Deadly Duo"

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection the causative agent for genital herpes is an important cofactor in HIV transmission. Published evidence indicates that continued transmission is facilitated by the large number of undiagnosed cases, the frequency of atypical or pauci-symptomatic disease and the occurrence of asymptomatic shedding. This book describes: i) the diagnostic advantages of PCR as a gold standard test for screening high-prevalence populations; ii) the risk factors associated with genital HSV type-1 and type-2 infections and its influence on the acquisition of genital herpes in HIV positive individuals and iii) the reconstitution of HSV-specific T-cell responses in HIV infected patients and healthy controls. Although strategies to limit the spread of HSV genital infection in HIV infected patients remain challenging, clearly an effective HSV vaccine is urgently required to lower transmission rates. The book provides new insights into the management and diagnostic issues surrounding genital herpes in HIV infected patients and serves to be a comprehensive resource for clients in medicine, pharmaceutical and health sectors.