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Ferreira EA, Clements JE, Veenhuis RT. HIV-1 Myeloid Reservoirs - Contributors to Viral Persistence and Pathogenesis. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 2024; 21:62-74. [PMID: 38411842 DOI: 10.1007/s11904-024-00692-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW HIV reservoirs are the main barrier to cure. CD4+ T cells have been extensively studied as the primary HIV-1 reservoir. However, there is substantial evidence that HIV-1-infected myeloid cells (monocytes/macrophages) also contribute to viral persistence and pathogenesis. RECENT FINDINGS Recent studies in animal models and people with HIV-1 demonstrate that myeloid cells are cellular reservoirs of HIV-1. HIV-1 genomes and viral RNA have been reported in circulating monocytes and tissue-resident macrophages from the brain, urethra, gut, liver, and spleen. Importantly, viral outgrowth assays have quantified persistent infectious virus from monocyte-derived macrophages and tissue-resident macrophages. The myeloid cell compartment represents an important target of HIV-1 infection. While myeloid reservoirs may be more difficult to measure than CD4+ T cell reservoirs, they are long-lived, contribute to viral persistence, and, unless specifically targeted, will prevent an HIV-1 cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edna A Ferreira
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA
| | - Janice E Clements
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA
| | - Rebecca T Veenhuis
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA.
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Kovarova M, Wessel SE, Johnson CE, Anderson SV, Cottrell ML, Sykes C, Cohen MS, Garcia JV. EFdA efficiently suppresses HIV replication in the male genital tract and prevents penile HIV acquisition. mBio 2023; 14:e0222422. [PMID: 37306625 PMCID: PMC10470584 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02224-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Sexually transmitted HIV infections in heterosexual men are acquired through the penis. Low adherence to condom usage and the fact that 40% of circumcised men are not protected indicate the need for additional prevention strategies. Here, we describe a new approach to evaluate the prevention of penile HIV transmission. We demonstrated that the entire male genital tract (MGT) of bone marrow/liver/thymus (BLT) humanized mice is repopulated with human T and myeloid cells. The majority of the human T cells in the MGT express CD4 and CCR5. Direct penile exposure to HIV leads to systemic infection including all tissues of the MGT. HIV replication throughout the MGT was reduced 100-1,000-fold by treatment with 4'-ethynyl-2-fluoro-2'-deoxyadenosine (EFdA), resulting in the restoration of CD4+ T cell levels. Importantly, systemic preexposure prophylaxis with EFdA effectively protects from penile HIV acquisition. IMPORTANCE Over 84.2 million people have been infected by the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) during the past 40 years, most through sexual transmission. Men comprise approximately half of the HIV-infected population worldwide. Sexually transmitted HIV infections in exclusively heterosexual men are acquired through the penis. However, direct evaluation of HIV infection throughout the human male genital tract (MGT) is not possible. Here, we developed a new in vivo model that permits, for the first time, the detail analysis of HIV infection. Using BLT humanized mice, we showed that productive HIV infection occurs throughout the entire MGT and induces a dramatic reduction in human CD4 T cells compromising immune responses in this organ. Antiretroviral treatment with novel drug EFdA suppresses HIV replication in all tissues of the MGT, restores normal levels of CD4 T cells and is highly efficient at preventing penile transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Kovarova
- International Center for the Advancement of Translational Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Center for AIDS Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sarah E. Wessel
- International Center for the Advancement of Translational Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Center for AIDS Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Claire E. Johnson
- International Center for the Advancement of Translational Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Center for AIDS Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Shelby V. Anderson
- International Center for the Advancement of Translational Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Center for AIDS Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Craig Sykes
- UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Myron S. Cohen
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - J. Victor Garcia
- International Center for the Advancement of Translational Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Center for AIDS Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Abstract
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), has become a heavy burden of disease and an important public health problem in the world. Although current antiretroviral therapy (ART) is effective at suppressing the virus in the blood, HIV still remains in two different types of reservoirs-the latently infected cells (represented by CD4+ T cells) and the tissues containing those cells, which may block access to ART, HIV-neutralizing antibodies and latency-reversing agents. The latter is the focus of our review, as blood viral load drops below detectable levels after ART, a deeper and more systematic understanding of the HIV tissue reservoirs is imperative. In this review, we take the lymphoid system (including lymph nodes, gut-associated lymphoid tissue, spleen and bone marrow), nervous system, respiratory system, reproductive system (divided into male and female), urinary system as the order, focusing on the particularity and importance of each tissue in HIV infection, the infection target cell types of each tissue, the specific infection situation of each tissue quantified by HIV DNA or HIV RNA and the evidence of compartmentalization and pharmacokinetics. In summary, we found that the present state of HIV in different tissues has both similarities and differences. In the future, the therapeutic principle we need to follow is to respect the discrepancy on the basis of grasping the commonality. The measures taken to completely eliminate the virus in the whole body cannot be generalized. It is necessary to formulate personalized treatment strategies according to the different characteristics of the HIV in the various tissues, so as to realize the prospect of curing AIDS as soon as possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangpeng Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Ma
- Department of Orthopedics, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Baratella M, Iannone V, Cavarelli M, Foglieni C, Viganò P, Moog C, Elmore U, Nozza S, Alfano M, Salonia A, Dispinseri S, Scarlatti G. Human seminal plasma stimulates the migration of CD11c+ mononuclear phagocytes to the apical side of the colonic epithelium without altering the junctional complexes in an ex vivo human intestinal model. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1133886. [PMID: 37033941 PMCID: PMC10073423 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1133886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) transmission mostly occurs through the genital and intestinal mucosae. Although HIV-1 transmission has been extensively investigated, gaps remain in understanding the initial steps of HIV entry through the colonic mucosa. We previously showed that HIV can selectively trigger mononuclear phagocytes (MNP) to migrate within colonic epithelial cells to sample virions. Mucosal exposure to human seminal plasma (HSP), rich in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and growth factors, may as well induce alterations of the colonic mucosa and recruit immune cells, hence, affecting pathogen sampling and transmission. Methods Here, we studied the role of HSP on the paracellular intestinal permeability by analyzing the distribution of two proteins known to play a key role in controlling the intestinal barrier integrity, namely the tight junctions-associated junctional adhesion molecule (JAM-A) and the adherents junction associated protein E-cadherin (E-CAD), by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. Also, we evaluated if HSP promotes the recruitment of MNP cells, specifically, the CD11c and CD64 positive MNPs, to the apical side of the human colonic mucosa. At this scope, HSP of HIV-infected and uninfected individuals with known fertility status was tested for cytokines, chemokines and growth factors concentration and used in an ex vivo polarized colonic tissue culture system to mimic as closely as possible the physiological process. Results HSP showed statistically significant differences in cytokines and chemokines concentrations between the three groups of donors, i.e. HIV infected, or uninfected fertile or randomly identified. Nevertheless, we showed that in the ex vivo tissue culture HSP in general, neither affected the morphological structure of the colonic mucosa nor modulated the paracellular intestinal permeability. Interestingly, CD11c+ MNP cells migrated to the apical surface of the colonic epithelium regardless, if incubated with HIV-infected or -uninfected HSPs, while CD64+ MNP cells, did not change their distribution within the colonic mucosa. Discussion In conclusion, even if HSP did not perturb the integrity of the human colonic mucosa, it affected the migration of a specific subset of MNPs that express CD11c towards the apical side of the colonic mucosa, which in turn may be involved in pathogen sampling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Baratella
- Viral Evolution and Transmission Group, Division of Immunology, Transplantation, and Infectious Diseases, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Marco Baratella,
| | - Valeria Iannone
- Viral Evolution and Transmission Group, Division of Immunology, Transplantation, and Infectious Diseases, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Mariangela Cavarelli
- Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto-immune, Hematological and Bacterial diseases, Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA), Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Paris, France
| | - Chiara Foglieni
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Viganò
- Reproductive Sciences Laboratory, Gynecology/Obstetrics Unit, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Christiane Moog
- INSERM U1109, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Ugo Elmore
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Nozza
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Alfano
- Division of Experimental Oncology, Unit of Urology, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Salonia
- University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Division of Experimental Oncology, Unit of Urology, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Dispinseri
- Viral Evolution and Transmission Group, Division of Immunology, Transplantation, and Infectious Diseases, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriella Scarlatti
- Viral Evolution and Transmission Group, Division of Immunology, Transplantation, and Infectious Diseases, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
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Chan P, Tang THC, Kwong RTS, Chan L, Chan HSY, Lam KW, Ting WM, Yung SK, Lam ECT, Chu MY, Lam W, Wu TC, Li P, Lee MP. Effects of syphilis infection among HIV-1-positive individuals on suppressive antiretroviral therapy. AIDS Res Ther 2022; 19:69. [PMID: 36587188 PMCID: PMC9805186 DOI: 10.1186/s12981-022-00493-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Incident syphilis leads to changes in plasma HIV-1 RNA and CD4 + T-cell level in people with HIV (PWH) with viraemia. Its effect in PWH on suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART) is less clear. METHODS PWH on suppressive ART (plasma HIV-1 RNA < 50copies/mL) followed at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, China were regularly screened for syphilis. Their plasma HIV-1 RNA, CD4 + and CD8 + T-cell, and total lymphocyte levels before syphilis, during syphilis, and after successful treatment were compared. RESULTS Between 2005 and 2020, 288 syphilis episodes from 180 individuals were identified; 287 episodes were related to male, with a median age of 41 at diagnosis; 221 (77%) were syphilis re-infection. The rates of plasma HIV-1 suppression were statistically unchanged across the time-points (97% pre-syphilis, 98% during syphilis, and 99% post-treatment). Total lymphocyte, CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell levels decreased during incident syphilis (p<0.01), and rebounded post-treatment (p<0.01). VDRL titre was associated with declines in CD4+ T-cell (p=0.045), CD8+ T-cell (p=0.004), and total lymphocyte levels (p=0.021). Pre-syphilis CD4/CD8 ratio was associated with increases in CD8+ T-cell (p=0.001) and total lymphocyte levels (p=0.046) during syphilis. Syphilis re-infection was associated with an increase in total lymphocyte level (p=0.037). In the multivariable analysis, only pre-syphilis CD4/CD8 ratio was independently associated with increases in CD8+ T-cell (p=0.014) and total lymphocyte levels (p=0.039) during syphilis. CONCLUSIONS Among virally-suppressed PWH, total lymphocyte, CD4+, and CD8+ T-cell levels declined during incident syphilis but rebounded post-treatment. The status of plasma HIV suppression was unaffected by syphilis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Chan
- grid.415499.40000 0004 1771 451XDepartment of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, China ,grid.513257.70000 0005 0375 6425Institute of HIV Research and Innovation, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Tommy H. C. Tang
- grid.415499.40000 0004 1771 451XDepartment of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ruby T. S. Kwong
- grid.415499.40000 0004 1771 451XDepartment of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lawrence Chan
- grid.415499.40000 0004 1771 451XDepartment of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Helen S. Y. Chan
- grid.415499.40000 0004 1771 451XDepartment of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - K. W. Lam
- grid.415499.40000 0004 1771 451XDepartment of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - W. M. Ting
- grid.415499.40000 0004 1771 451XDepartment of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - S. K. Yung
- grid.415499.40000 0004 1771 451XDepartment of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Emily C. T. Lam
- grid.415499.40000 0004 1771 451XDepartment of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - M. Y. Chu
- grid.415499.40000 0004 1771 451XDepartment of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wilson Lam
- grid.415499.40000 0004 1771 451XDepartment of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - T. C. Wu
- grid.415499.40000 0004 1771 451XDepartment of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Patrick Li
- grid.415499.40000 0004 1771 451XDepartment of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, China ,grid.414329.90000 0004 1764 7097Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - M. P. Lee
- grid.415499.40000 0004 1771 451XDepartment of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, China
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Tassiopoulos K, Travers R, Cameron R, Coulombe S, Davis CE, Wilson CL, Woodford MR, Coleman T. Knowledge of viral load, PrEP, and HIV-related sexual risk among men who have sex with men in the Waterloo region. THE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN SEXUALITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3138/cjhs.2021-0054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) remain most disproportionately affected by HIV in Canada. HIV-related sexual risk behaviours have been linked to high HIV risk among GBMSM, but prior research has not focused on knowledge of viral load, and the risk it presents for HIV acquisition. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between HIV-related sexual risk behaviour and knowledge of viral load among GBMSM. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a convenience sample of individuals age 16 and older who self-identified as LGBTQ and lived, worked, or resided in the Waterloo region, an urban-rural area in southwestern Ontario ( N = 526). Responses were analyzed from those identifying as GBMSM ( N = 269). Logistic regression models were created to explore sociodemographic, outness, social support, and HIV-related sexual risk variables associated with knowledge of viral load. Multivariable regression models were built to explore the same associations while controlling for confounders. HIV risk was not associated with knowledge of viral load in bivariate or multivariable analyses. Point estimates for low/negligible (odds ratio [OR] 1.10; 95% CI 0.46–2.51) and high risk (OR 1.88; 95% CI 0.68–5.20) suggest trends of higher knowledge with increased HIV risk. Men who engage in sexual risk behaviour may have increased sexual health literacy and awareness of biomedical interventions (e.g., pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP) that reduce HIV risk. Policies are needed that promote acceptance of sexual orientation, improve awareness and access to PrEP, and ensure optimal delivery of HIV education to at-risk groups prior to engagement in higher risk activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Tassiopoulos
- Department of Health Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robb Travers
- Department of Health Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ruth Cameron
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- AIDS Committee of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
| | - Simon Coulombe
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Charlie E. Davis
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ciann L. Wilson
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael R. Woodford
- Faculty of Social Work, Wilfrid Laurier University, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
| | - Todd Coleman
- Department of Health Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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Tassiopoulos K, Travers R, Cameron R, Coulombe S, Davis CE, Wilson CL, Woodford MR, Coleman T. Knowledge of viral load, PrEP, and HIV-related sexual risk among men who have sex with men in the Waterloo region. THE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN SEXUALITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3138/cjhs.2022-0054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) remain most disproportionately affected by HIV in Canada. HIV-
related sexual risk behaviours have been linked to high HIV risk among GBMSM, but prior research has not focused on knowledge of viral load, and the risk it presents for HIV acquisition. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between HIV-related sexual risk behaviour and knowledge of viral load among GBMSM. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a convenience sample of individuals age 16 and older who self-identified as LGBTQ and lived, worked, or resided in the Waterloo region, an urban-rural area in southwestern Ontario ( N = 526). Responses were analyzed from those identifying as GBMSM ( N = 269). Logistic regression models were created to explore sociodemographic, outness, social support, and HIV-related sexual risk variables associated with knowledge of viral load. Multivariable regression models were built to explore the same associations while controlling for confounders. HIV risk was not associated with knowledge of viral load in bivariate or multivariable analyses. Point estimates for low/negligible (odds ratio [OR] 1.10; 95% CI 0.46–2.51) and high risk (OR 1.88; 95% CI 0.68–5.20) suggest trends of higher knowledge with increased HIV risk. Men who engage in sexual risk behaviour may have increased sexual health literacy and awareness of biomedical interventions (e.g., pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP) that reduce HIV risk. Policies are needed that promote acceptance of sexual orientation, improve awareness and access to PrEP, and ensure optimal delivery of HIV education to at-risk groups prior to engagement in higher risk activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Tassiopoulos
- Department of Health Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robb Travers
- Department of Health Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ruth Cameron
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- AIDS Committee of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
| | - Simon Coulombe
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Charlie E. Davis
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ciann L. Wilson
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael R. Woodford
- Faculty of Social Work, Wilfrid Laurier University, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
| | - Todd Coleman
- Department of Health Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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de Albuquerque BHDR, de Oliveira MTFC, Aderaldo JF, de Medeiros Garcia Torres M, Lanza DCF. Human seminal virome: a panel based on recent literature. Basic Clin Androl 2022; 32:16. [PMID: 36064315 PMCID: PMC9444275 DOI: 10.1186/s12610-022-00165-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The seminal virome and its implications for fertility remain poorly understood. To date, there are no defined panels for the detection of viruses of clinical interest in seminal samples. Results In this study, we characterized the human seminal virome based on more than 1,000 studies published over the last five years. Conclusions The number of studies investigating viruses that occur in human semen has increased, and to date, these studies have been mostly prospective or related to specific clinical findings. Through the joint analysis of all these studies, we have listed the viruses related to the worsening of seminal parameters and propose a new panel with the main viruses already described that possibly affect male fertility and health. This panel can assist in evaluating semen quality and serve as a tool for investigation in cases of infertility.
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Robins K, Leonard AFC, Farkas K, Graham DW, Jones DL, Kasprzyk-Hordern B, Bunce JT, Grimsley JMS, Wade MJ, Zealand AM, McIntyre-Nolan S. Research needs for optimising wastewater-based epidemiology monitoring for public health protection. JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH 2022; 20:1284-1313. [PMID: 36170187 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2022.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is an unobtrusive method used to observe patterns in illicit drug use, poliovirus, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The pandemic and need for surveillance measures have led to the rapid acceleration of WBE research and development globally. With the infrastructure available to monitor SARS-CoV-2 from wastewater in 58 countries globally, there is potential to expand targets and applications for public health protection, such as other viral pathogens, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), pharmaceutical consumption, or exposure to chemical pollutants. Some applications have been explored in academic research but are not used to inform public health decision-making. We reflect on the current knowledge of WBE for these applications and identify barriers and opportunities for expanding beyond SARS-CoV-2. This paper critically reviews the applications of WBE for public health and identifies the important research gaps for WBE to be a useful tool in public health. It considers possible uses for pathogenic viruses, AMR, and chemicals. It summarises the current evidence on the following: (1) the presence of markers in stool and urine; (2) environmental factors influencing persistence of markers in wastewater; (3) methods for sample collection and storage; (4) prospective methods for detection and quantification; (5) reducing uncertainties; and (6) further considerations for public health use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie Robins
- Environmental Monitoring for Health Protection, UK Health Security Agency, Nobel House, London SW1P 3HX, UK E-mail: ; School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Cassie Building, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Anne F C Leonard
- Environmental Monitoring for Health Protection, UK Health Security Agency, Nobel House, London SW1P 3HX, UK E-mail: ; University of Exeter Medical School, European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Kata Farkas
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK
| | - David W Graham
- School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Cassie Building, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | - David L Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK; SoilsWest, Centre for Sustainable Farming Systems, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6105, Australia
| | | | - Joshua T Bunce
- Environmental Monitoring for Health Protection, UK Health Security Agency, Nobel House, London SW1P 3HX, UK E-mail: ; School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Cassie Building, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Jasmine M S Grimsley
- Environmental Monitoring for Health Protection, UK Health Security Agency, Nobel House, London SW1P 3HX, UK E-mail:
| | - Matthew J Wade
- Environmental Monitoring for Health Protection, UK Health Security Agency, Nobel House, London SW1P 3HX, UK E-mail: ; School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Cassie Building, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Andrew M Zealand
- Environmental Monitoring for Health Protection, UK Health Security Agency, Nobel House, London SW1P 3HX, UK E-mail:
| | - Shannon McIntyre-Nolan
- Environmental Monitoring for Health Protection, UK Health Security Agency, Nobel House, London SW1P 3HX, UK E-mail: ; Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service, Ministry of Justice, London, SW1H 9AJ, UK
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Agrawal N, Parisini E. Early Stages of Misfolding of PAP248-286 at two different pH values: An Insight from Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:4892-4901. [PMID: 36147683 PMCID: PMC9474323 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.08.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
PAP248-286 peptides, which are highly abundant in human semen, aggregate and form amyloid fibrils that enhance HIV infection. Previous experimental studies have shown that the infection-promoting activity of PAP248-286 begins to increase well before amyloid formation takes place and that pH plays a key role in the enhancement of PAP248-286-related infection. Hence, understanding the early stages of misfolding of the PAP2482-86 peptide is crucial. To this end, we have performed 60 independent MD simulations for a total of 24 µs at two different pH values (4.2 and 7.2). Our data shows that early stages of misfolding of the PAP248-286 peptide is a multistage process and that the first step of the process is a transition from an “I-shaped” structure to a “U-shaped” structure. We further observed that the structure of PAP248-286 at the two different pH values shows significantly different features. At pH 4.2, the peptide has less intra-molecular H-bonds and a reduced α-helical content than at pH 7.2. Moreover, differences in intra-peptide residues contacts are also observed at the two pH values. Finally, free energy landscape analysis shows that there are more local minima in the energy surface of the peptide at pH 7.2 than at pH 4.2. Overall, the present study elucidates the early stages of misfolding of the PAP248-286 peptide at the atomic level, thus possibly opening new avenues in structure-based drug discovery against HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil Agrawal
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles 21, LV, Riga 1006, Latvia
- College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Corresponding authors at: Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles 21, LV, Riga 1006, Latvia.
| | - Emilio Parisini
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles 21, LV, Riga 1006, Latvia
- Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Corresponding authors at: Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles 21, LV, Riga 1006, Latvia.
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11
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Ito T, Kubo Y, Akanuma SI, Hosoya KI. Functional characteristics of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine transport at the blood-testis barrier. Int J Pharm 2022; 625:122044. [PMID: 35902057 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.122044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
3'-Azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT), an antiretroviral drug, is often adopted in the therapy for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and the characteristics of AZT transport at the blood-testis barrier (BTB) were investigated in this study. In the integration plot analysis that evaluates the transport activity in vivo, the apparent influx clearance of [3H]AZT was significantly greater than that of [14C]D-mannitol, a non-permeable paracellular transport marker. In the uptake study in vitro with TM4 cells derived from mouse Sertoli cells, [3H]AZT uptake exhibited a time- and concentration-dependent manner, of which Km and Vmax values being 20.3 µM and 102 pmol/(min·mg protein), respectively. In the inhibition analysis, [3H]AZT uptake was not affected by extracellular inorganics and some substrates of transporters putatively involved in AZT transport. In the further inhibition analyses to elucidate the characteristics of AZT transport, [3H]AZT uptake was strongly reduced in the presence of several nucleosides, that are categorized as 2'-deoxynucleosides with pyrimidine, whereas little effect on [3H]AZT uptake was exhibited in the presence of other nucleosides, nucleobases, and antiretrovirals. These results suggest the influx transport of AZT from the circulating blood to the testis, and the involvement of carrier-mediated process at the BTB, which selectively recognizes 2'-deoxynucleosides with a pyrimidine base.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeru Ito
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Kubo
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan; Laboratory of Drug Disposition & Pharmacokinetics, Faculty of Pharma-Sciences, Teikyo University, Kaga 2-11-1, Tokyo 173-8605, Japan.
| | - Shin-Ichi Akanuma
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Hosoya
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
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Wang M, Hu J, Huang B, Yang Q, Liu S, Li Z, Yang L, Xi Q, Zhu L, Jin L. Investigating the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on basic semen parameters and in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes: a retrospective cohort study. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2022; 20:46. [PMID: 35260151 PMCID: PMC8901866 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-022-00918-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to evaluate the influences of SARS-CoV-2 infection on semen parameters and investigate the impact of the infection on in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. METHODS This retrospective study enrolled couples undergoing IVF cycles between May 2020 and February 2021 at Tongji Hospital, Wuhan. Baseline characteristics were matched using propensity score matching. Participants were categorized into an unexposed group (SARS-COV-2 negative) and exposed group (SARS-COV-2 positive) based on a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the populations were 148 and 50 after matching, respectively. IVF data were compared between the matched cohorts. Moreover, semen parameters were compared before and after infection among the infected males. The main measures were semen parameters and IVF outcomes, including laboratory and clinical outcomes. RESULTS Generally, the concentration and motility of sperm did not significantly differ before and after infection. Infected males seemed to have fewer sperm with normal morphology, while all values were above the limits. Notably, the blastocyst formation rate and available blastocyst rate in the exposed group were lower than those in the control group, despite similar mature oocytes rates, normal fertilization rates, cleavage rates, and high-quality embryo rates. Moreover, no significant differences were exhibited between the matched cohorts regarding the implantation rate, biochemical pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate, or early miscarriage rate. CONCLUSIONS The results of this retrospective cohort study suggested that the semen quality and the chance of pregnancy in terms of IVF outcomes were comparable between the males with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection and controls, although a decreased blastocyst formation rate and available blastocyst rate was observed in the exposed group, which needs to be reinforced by a multicenter long-term investigation with a larger sample size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430030, Wuhan, China
| | - Juan Hu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430030, Wuhan, China
| | - Bo Huang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430030, Wuhan, China
| | - Qiyu Yang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430030, Wuhan, China
| | - Sibo Liu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhou Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430030, Wuhan, China
| | - Liu Yang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430030, Wuhan, China
| | - Qingsong Xi
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lixia Zhu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430030, Wuhan, China
| | - Lei Jin
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430030, Wuhan, China.
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Kariuki SM, Selhorst P, Abrahams MR, Rebe K, Williamson C, Dorfman JR. Neutralization sensitivity of genital tract HIV-1: shift in selective milieu shapes the population available to transmit. AIDS 2021; 35:1365-1373. [PMID: 33831907 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000002912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Previous studies indicate that transmitted/founder HIV-1 isolates are sensitive to neutralization by the transmitting donor's antibodies. This is true in at least a subset of sexual transmissions. We investigated whether this selection for neutralization-sensitive variants begins in the genital tract of the donor, prior to transmission. DESIGN Laboratory study. METHODS HIV-1 viruses from semen and blood of two male donors living with HIV-1 were tested for neutralization sensitivity to contemporaneous autologous antibodies. RESULTS In one donor, semen-derived clones (n = 10, geometric mean ID50 = 176) were 1.75-fold [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11-2.76, P = 0.018] more sensitive than blood-derived clones (n = 12, geometric mean ID50 = 111) to the individual's own contemporaneous neutralizing antibodies. Enhanced overall neutralization sensitivity of the semen-derived clones could not explain the difference because these semen-derived isolates showed a trend of being less sensitive to neutralization by a pool of heterologous clade-matched sera. This relative sensitivity of semen-derived clones was not observed in a second donor who did not exhibit obvious independent HIV-1 replication in the genital tract. A Bayesian analysis suggested that the set of semen sequences that we analysed originated from a blood sequence. CONCLUSION In some instances, selection for neutralization-sensitive variants during HIV-1 transmission begins in the genital tract of the donor and this may be driven by independent HIV-1 replication in this compartment. Thus, a shift in the selective milieu in the male genital tract allows outgrowth of neutralization-sensitive HIV-1 variants, shaping the population of isolates available for transmission to a new host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Mundia Kariuki
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, University of Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Philippe Selhorst
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, and Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town
| | - Melissa-Rose Abrahams
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, and Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town
| | - Kevin Rebe
- ANOVA Health Institute, Cape Town
- Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town
| | - Carolyn Williamson
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, and Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town
| | - Jeffrey R Dorfman
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa
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14
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Kariuki SM, Selhorst P, Anthony C, Matten D, Abrahams MR, Martin DP, Ariën KK, Rebe K, Williamson C, Dorfman JR. Compartmentalization and Clonal Amplification of HIV-1 in the Male Genital Tract Characterized Using Next-Generation Sequencing. J Virol 2020; 94:e00229-20. [PMID: 32269124 PMCID: PMC7307092 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00229-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Compartmentalization of HIV-1 between the systemic circulation and the male genital tract may have a substantial impact on which viruses are available for sexual transmission to new hosts. We studied compartmentalization and clonal amplification of HIV-1 populations between the blood and the genital tract from 10 antiretroviral-naive men using Illumina MiSeq with a PrimerID approach. We found evidence of some degree of compartmentalization in every study participant, unlike previous studies, which collectively showed that only ∼50% of analyzed individuals exhibited compartmentalization of HIV-1 lineages between the male genital tract (MGT) and blood. Using down-sampling simulations, we determined that this disparity can be explained by differences in sampling depth in that had we sequenced to a lower depth, we would also have found compartmentalization in only ∼50% of the study participants. For most study participants, phylogenetic trees were rooted in blood, suggesting that the male genital tract reservoir is seeded by incoming variants from the blood. Clonal amplification was observed in all study participants and was a characteristic of both blood and semen viral populations. We also show evidence for independent viral replication in the genital tract in the individual with the most severely compartmentalized HIV-1 populations. The degree of clonal amplification was not obviously associated with the extent of compartmentalization. We were also unable to detect any association between history of sexually transmitted infections and level of HIV-1 compartmentalization. Overall, our findings contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics that affect the composition of virus populations that are available for transmission.IMPORTANCE Within an individual living with HIV-1, factors that restrict the movement of HIV-1 between different compartments-such as between the blood and the male genital tract-could strongly influence which viruses reach sites in the body from which they can be transmitted. Using deep sequencing, we found strong evidence of restricted HIV-1 movements between the blood and genital tract in all 10 men that we studied. We additionally found that neither the degree to which particular genetic variants of HIV-1 proliferate (in blood or genital tract) nor an individual's history of sexually transmitted infections detectably influenced the degree to which virus movements were restricted between the blood and genital tract. Last, we show evidence that viral replication gave rise to a large clonal amplification in semen in a donor with highly compartmentalized HIV-1 populations, raising the possibility that differential selection of HIV-1 variants in the genital tract may occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Mundia Kariuki
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, University of Eldoret, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Philippe Selhorst
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Virology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Colin Anthony
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - David Matten
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Melissa-Rose Abrahams
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Darren P Martin
- Computational Biology Group, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Insitute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kevin K Ariën
- Virology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Kevin Rebe
- Anova Health Institute, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Carolyn Williamson
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Insitute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jeffrey R Dorfman
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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15
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Holtmann N, Edimiris P, Andree M, Doehmen C, Baston-Buest D, Adams O, Kruessel JS, Bielfeld AP. Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 in human semen-a cohort study. Fertil Steril 2020; 114:233-238. [PMID: 32650948 PMCID: PMC7256599 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 234] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Objective To investigate the presence of viral RNA in human semen of patients with severe acute-respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and to evaluate its presence and relevance in semen parameters. Design Pilot cohort study. Setting University hospital. Patient(s) Thirty-four men were distributed as: 1) patients in convalescence (patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in pharyngeal swab according to reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] or antibodies); 2) negative control group (no antibodies); and 3) patients with an acute infection (detection of SARS-CoV-2 in pharyngeal swab). Intervention Semen and a blood sample were collected from each individual. Main Outcome Measure(s) Analysis of semen quality according to the World Health Organization standards. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR in the native semen sample and after density gradient preparation. Confirmation of immunoglobulin (Ig) A und IgG antibodies in the blood. Result(s) Eighteen semen samples from recovered men were obtained 8–54 days after absence of symptoms, 14 from control subjects, and 2 from patients with an active COVID-19 infection. No RNA was detected by means of RT-PCR in the semen, including semen samples from two patients with an acute COVID-19 infection. Subjects with a moderate infection showed an impairment of sperm quality. Conclusion(s) A mild COVID-19 infection is not likely to affect testis and epididymis function, whereas semen parameters did seem impaired after a moderate infection. SARS-CoV-2 RNA could not be detected in semen of recovered and acute COVID-19–positive men. This suggests no viral transmission during sexual contact and assisted reproductive techniques, although further data need to be obtained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Holtmann
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Philippos Edimiris
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Marcel Andree
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Cornelius Doehmen
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Dunja Baston-Buest
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Duesseldorf, Germany.
| | - Ortwin Adams
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Jan-Steffen Kruessel
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Alexandra Petra Bielfeld
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Duesseldorf, Germany
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