The anti-HIV drug tenofovir, a reverse transcriptase inhibitor, also targets the herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA polymerase KU Leuven
Genital herpes is an important cofactor for acquisition of HIV infection and effective prophylaxis is a helpful strategy to halt both HIV and HSV transmission. The antiretroviral agent tenofovir, formulated as a vaginal microbicide gel, was shown to reduce the risk of HIV and HSV-2 acquisition.