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Previous findings of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in human semen have been inconsistent. This study attempted to elucidate the presence of HCV in semen from 80 HCV RNA blood plasma positive homeless men using two novel non-PCR based techniques. Semen was frozen immediately upon ejaculation in order to preserve virus quantity. This study demonstrated that 36% of the study population had HCV in semen. Bayer's Versant HCV RNA Qualitative Assay (Bayer Diagnostics, Emeryville, CA) based on transcription mediated amplification (TMA) assay detected 29 positive semen samples and Versant HCV RNA 3.0 Assay (bDNA) (Bayer Diagnostics, Emeryville, CA) detected only six. This demonstrated that TMA was more sensitive than the bDNA in detecting HCV in semen (P<0.002). HCV blood plasma viral load was positively correlated with the presence of HCV in semen (Spearman's Rho=0.40, P<0.0002), while the presence of leukocytes in semen was not (Spearman's Rho=0.19, P<0.12). This supports the hypothesis that HCV is "leaked out" from the peripheral circulation into semen. Three semen samples had a viral load of >5000 IU/mL. The presence of a high viral load in semen in certain men suggests that sexual transmission of the virus is possible. Laboratory capability to accurately detect HCV positive semen is an important step in establishing the risk of sexual transmission and in identifying strategies for protecting uninfected partners., (Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Prostate cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed noncutaneous malignancy in American men. Currently, there are 3 standard treatment options available to men with early prostate cancer: expectant management, radiation therapy, and radical prostatectomy. Although a number of studies have evaluated survival after treatment for early prostate cancer, the optimal choice of therapy for any given patient remains a difficult decision and requires the consideration of a variety of patient and tumor factors. The final selection of therapy for early prostate cancer should be based on an informed discussion between the physician and patient. To accomplish this goal, patients must be made familiar with the pertinent factors that affect survival. We review the factors most relevant for patients to understand as they consider their treatment options for early prostate cancer and summarize the data for physicians who counsel them., (Copyright 2002 by W.B. Saunders Company)