Male circumcision and herpes simplex virus type 2 infection in female partners: a randomized trial in Rakai, Uganda

J Infect Dis. 2012 Feb 1;205(3):486-90. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jir767. Epub 2011 Dec 5.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Circumcision, Male*
  • Female
  • Herpes Genitalis / epidemiology*
  • Herpes Genitalis / prevention & control*
  • Herpes Genitalis / transmission
  • Herpes Genitalis / virology
  • Herpesvirus 2, Human / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sexual Partners
  • Uganda / epidemiology
  • Young Adult