Trichomonas vaginalis and HIV vaginal shedding Investigators
Patty Kissinger, Ph.D. – Principal Investigator
Angela Amedee, Ph.D. – Co-Investigator
Rebecca Clark, M.D., Ph.D. – Co-Investigator
David H. Martin, M.D. – Co-Investigator Funding Agent
Louisiana Board of Regents
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Participating Institutes
HIV outpatient Program – Medical Center of Louisiana New Orleans
Tulane University
Louisiana State University Description
This is a cohort study of HIV-infected women (N=600). All women are screened for Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) using culture methods. In addition the HIV viral load in the vaginal fluids is determined. Women with TV and a control, matched by antiretroviral status, are followed at one month. A comparison of HIV shedding in the vaginal fluids is made between TV/HIV infected women compared to HIV only and between TV/HIV women before and after treatment. Data from this study has demonstrated that TV increases HIV shedding by as much as three-fold increase and that recurrence rates of TV in the one-month after treatment are exceedingly high (i.e. 26%). We have written an NIH grant to examine the nature of this recurrence. | 
