Virology Research Clinic (VRC)

Anna Wald, MD, MPH

The Virology Research Clinic (VRC) at the University of Washington acts as the Clinical Core for the program project "Clinical Epidemiology of Asymptomatic HSV". Dr. Wald is the on-site Medical Director of this clinic. The specific aims of the Clinical Core are to:

1. Recruit, screen and enroll subjects into research protocols, and follow patients prospectively for the following program project studies
   • HSV Infection in HIV Infected Individuals
   • Biology and Epidemiology of Genital HSV Acquisition
2. Collect prospective data on the epidemiology and natural history of HSV infection in immunocompetent and immunocompromised (HIV-positive) persons and to obtain specimens for virologic and immunologic investigations, and
3. Develop new clinical techniques for conducting virologic, epidemiologic and immunologic investigations of HSV infections.

The VRC staff also provides counseling for patients with genital herpes. The VRC is working to develop a cervical cytobrush method for optimal sampling of mucosal surfaces for lymphocytes providing a less invasive means than punch biopsies. The centralized care of the study subjects enrolled in the program project studies provides for efficient recruitment, standardized collection of data and specimens, and assurances of excellent clinical care.

The VRC is part of a multicenter study, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in surveillance studies for acyclovir resistant HSV in immunocompetent persons and immunocompromised persons, including HIV-positive persons. The VRC is also involved in a number of collaborative efforts studying the effects of antiviral agents on HSV infection and transmission. Previous studies done at the VRC have demonstrated that acyclovir reduces subclinical shedding of genital HSV-2. In collaborative efforts with Glaxo Wellcome Plc., discordant couples are being treated with valcyclovir in a trial of antiviral therapy as a means to decrease transmission.

Report courtesy of Anna Marie Beckmann

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Recent Publications

Wald A, Zeh J, Barnum G, Davis LG, Corey L. Suppression of subclinical shedding of herpes simplex virus type 2 with acyclovir. Ann Intern Med 1996; 124:8-15.