Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Coinfection Does Not Accelerate CD4 Count Decline in Untreated HIV Infection

Background. Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) reactivations are associated with increased HIV load, but whether HSV-2 coinfection accelerates HIV disease is unclear. We compared rates of CD4 count decline according to HSV-2 status in untreated HIV-infected adults. Methods. HIV-infected patients with a past period of antiretroviral therapy (ART)—untreated follow-up with initial CD4 count of 400–900 cells/mm 3 and no chronic anti-HSV therapy were included. HSV-2 status was determined by HerpeSelect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Rates of CD4 count change were compared by HSV-2 status using mixed linear regression models, and time to the first of ART initiation or CD4