(Reuters Health) - Over time, there has been a decrease in rates of certain vaginal infections in women with HIV infection, according to researchers.
Over time, there has been a decrease in rates of certain vaginal infections in women with HIV infection, according to researchers.
"The decrease in vaginal infections among HIV-infected women over the past several years," lead investigator Dr. D. Heather Watts told Reuters Health, "represents decreased morbidity for the women, as these infections can be annoying and difficult to eradicate."
In the October 1st issue of the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, Dr. Watts of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland and colleagues report on their longitudinal study of 2056 HIV-infected women and 554 women uninfected with HIV but at high risk, who were evaluated annually between 1994 and 2003.
At baseline, 42.8% of the HIV-infected women had bacterial vaginosis versus 47.0% of the uninfected women. For trichomoniasis, corresponding rates were 6.1% and 7.8%, and for yeast vaginitis they were 10.0% and 3.8%.
Rates of bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis decreased significantly in both groups over time. However, rates of yeast vaginitis fell only in HIV-infected women. Use of highly active antiretroviral therapy was associated with decreased risk of all three infections.
Apart from reduction in individual problems possibly caused by these infections, Dr. Watts concluded, "decreased rates of vaginal infections may decrease the risk of transmission of HIV to sexual partners and newborns."
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