Male circumcision and herpes simplex virus type 2 infection in female partners: a randomized trial in Rakai, Uganda
Tobian, A.A.R.; Kigozi, G.; Redd, A.D.; Serwadda, D.; Kong, X.; Oliver, A.; Nalugoda, F.; Quinn, T.C.; Gray, R.H.; Wawer, M.J.
Journal of Infectious Diseases 205(3): 486-490
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 1537-6613 PMID: 22147796 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jir767Document Number: 553003
Male circumcision reduces acquisition of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in men. We assessed whether male circumcision reduces HSV-2 infection among female partners. HSV-2-negative, human immunodeficiency virus-negative female partners of 368 males who were and 372 males who were not randomized to receive male circumcision were enrolled. The incidence of HSV-2 infection among females over a period of 2 years was 6.09 cases per 100 person-years in the intervention arm and 6.32 cases per 100 person-years in the control arm (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 0.96 [95% confidence interval {CI}, .62-1.49]; P = .87). Among female partners of HSV-2-positive males, the incidence of HSV-2 infection was 9.55 cases per 100 person-years in the intervention arm and 11.17 cases per 100 person-years in the control arm (IRR, 0.85 [95% CI, .44-1.67]; P = .62). Contrary to findings in males, male circumcision did not affect HSV-2 acquisition among female partners.