News | New Study Finds 22 Acute-Infection Viruses Can Persist in the Male Reproductive System
A new study found evidence that 22 viruses can persist in semen after acute infection, with implications for disease transmission, male fertility, and research priorities.
Background and Importance
Because the male reproductive tract is immune-privileged, it may act as a viral reservoir and continue shedding virus after systemic infection clears. This could sustain transmission during outbreaks or contribute to recurrence afterward.
Persistence in semen depends on viral characteristics, host immune status, and viremia. Unlike prior work focused on chronic infection, this systematic review examined acute infections to inform public-health strategy.
Methods and Data Sources
Following PRISMA guidance and registered with PROSPERO, researchers searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and ProMED for original evidence of viruses detected in semen during or after acute infection.
Studies published from 1962 to 2023 covered 22 viruses. Methods included PCR, antigen testing, whole-genome sequencing, and viral replication studies in cell or animal models.
Results
Of 24,258 records screened, 373 articles were included. Key findings were:
Evidence for 22 viruses: Viruses from 14 families, including Ebola, Zika, and dengue, were detected in semen after acute infection. Three others were found elsewhere in the male reproductive tract but not semen, and two had evidence of sexual transmission without detection in semen.
Persistence: Duration varied widely. Ebola was detected for up to 988 days and Zika for up to 941 days, although Zika's median was 57 days. Detection rates ranged from 5%-73% for Ebola, 33%-100% for Zika, and 0%-16% for COVID-19.
Sexual transmission: Nine viruses, including Zika, Ebola, and dengue, had direct or indirect evidence of sexual transmission.
Individual variation: Clearance times differed, and short follow-up or long testing intervals created uncertainty.
Immune status: Limited data prevented firm conclusions about its role in persistence.
Significance and Public-Health Implications
Long-term viral shedding from the immune-privileged male reproductive tract may affect outbreak dynamics, recurrence, fertility, and treatment development.
Further research should clarify viral dynamics in the male reproductive system and improve infectious-disease management guidelines.
News | New Study Finds 22 Acute-Infection Viruses Can Persist in the Male Reproductive System
News | New Study Finds 22 Acute-Infection Viruses Can Persist in the Male Reproductive System
A new study found evidence that 22 viruses can persist in semen after acute infection, with implications for disease transmission, male fertility, and research priorities.
Background and Importance
Because the male reproductive tract is immune-privileged, it may act as a viral reservoir and continue shedding virus after systemic infection clears. This could sustain transmission during outbreaks or contribute to recurrence afterward.
Persistence in semen depends on viral characteristics, host immune status, and viremia. Unlike prior work focused on chronic infection, this systematic review examined acute infections to inform public-health strategy.
Methods and Data Sources
Following PRISMA guidance and registered with PROSPERO, researchers searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and ProMED for original evidence of viruses detected in semen during or after acute infection.
Studies published from 1962 to 2023 covered 22 viruses. Methods included PCR, antigen testing, whole-genome sequencing, and viral replication studies in cell or animal models.
Results
Of 24,258 records screened, 373 articles were included. Key findings were:
Evidence for 22 viruses: Viruses from 14 families, including Ebola, Zika, and dengue, were detected in semen after acute infection. Three others were found elsewhere in the male reproductive tract but not semen, and two had evidence of sexual transmission without detection in semen.
Persistence: Duration varied widely. Ebola was detected for up to 988 days and Zika for up to 941 days, although Zika's median was 57 days. Detection rates ranged from 5%-73% for Ebola, 33%-100% for Zika, and 0%-16% for COVID-19.
Sexual transmission: Nine viruses, including Zika, Ebola, and dengue, had direct or indirect evidence of sexual transmission.
Individual variation: Clearance times differed, and short follow-up or long testing intervals created uncertainty.
Immune status: Limited data prevented firm conclusions about its role in persistence.
Significance and Public-Health Implications
Long-term viral shedding from the immune-privileged male reproductive tract may affect outbreak dynamics, recurrence, fertility, and treatment development.
Further research should clarify viral dynamics in the male reproductive system and improve infectious-disease management guidelines.
Source:
Collected online