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Persistence of Zika virus RNA in the epididymis of the murine male reproductive tract.
- Source :
-
Virology [Virology] 2021 Aug; Vol. 560, pp. 43-53. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 May 14. - Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Zika virus (ZIKV) can infect developing fetuses in utero and cause severe congenital defects independent of route of maternal infection. Infected men can shed ZIKV RNA in semen for over six months. Whether prolonged viral RNA shedding in semen indicates a persistent infection in the male reproductive tract is unknown. We hypothesized that if ZIKV establishes a persistent infection in the male reproductive tract (MRT), then immunosuppressant treatment should stimulate ZIKV replication and seminal shedding. Male mice were infected with ZIKV and immunosuppressed when they shed viral RNA but not infectious virus in ejaculates. Following immunosuppression, we did not detect infectious virus in ejaculates. However, we did detect ZIKV positive and negative sense RNA in the epididymal lumens of mice treated with cyclophosphamide, suggesting that ZIKV persists in the epididymis. This study provides insight into the mechanisms behind ZIKV sexual transmission, which may inform public health decisions regarding ZIKV risks.<br /> (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Subjects :
- Animals
Cell Line
Chlorocebus aethiops
Cyclophosphamide pharmacology
Immune Tolerance immunology
Immunosuppressive Agents pharmacology
Male
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Persistent Infection virology
RNA, Viral genetics
Recurrence
Semen virology
Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral transmission
Vero Cells
Virus Shedding genetics
Zika Virus genetics
Epididymis virology
Immunocompromised Host immunology
RNA, Viral isolation & purification
Zika Virus isolation & purification
Zika Virus Infection transmission
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1096-0341
- Volume :
- 560
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Virology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 34023724
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.virol.2021.05.001