Title |
Presence and Persistence of Zika Virus RNA in Semen, United Kingdom, 2016 - Volume 23, Number 4—April 2017 - Emerging Infectious Diseases journal - CDC
|
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Published in |
Emerging Infectious Diseases, April 2017
|
DOI | 10.3201/eid2304.161692 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Barry Atkinson, Fiona Thorburn, Christina Petridou, Daniel Bailey, Roger Hewson, Andrew J.H. Simpson, Timothy J.G. Brooks, Emma J. Aarons |
Abstract |
Zika virus RNA has been detected in semen collected several months after onset of symptoms of infection. Given the potential for sexual transmission of Zika virus and for serious fetal abnormalities resulting from infection during pregnancy, information regarding the persistence of Zika virus in semen is critical for advancing our understanding of potential risks. We tested serial semen samples from symptomatic male patients in the United Kingdom who had a diagnosis of imported Zika virus infection. Among the initial semen samples from 23 patients, Zika virus RNA was detected at high levels in 13 (56.5%) and was not detected in 9 (39.1%); detection was indeterminate in 1 sample (4.4%). After symptomatic infection, a substantial proportion of men have detectable Zika virus RNA at high copy numbers in semen during early convalescence, suggesting high risk for sexual transmission. Viral RNA clearance times are not consistent and can be prolonged. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United States | 5 | 31% |
United Kingdom | 1 | 6% |
Ireland | 1 | 6% |
France | 1 | 6% |
Brazil | 1 | 6% |
Spain | 1 | 6% |
Unknown | 6 | 38% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Members of the public | 11 | 69% |
Scientists | 2 | 13% |
Practitioners (doctors, other healthcare professionals) | 2 | 13% |
Science communicators (journalists, bloggers, editors) | 1 | 6% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Japan | 1 | <1% |
Unknown | 114 | 99% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Researcher | 17 | 15% |
Student > Bachelor | 14 | 12% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 13 | 11% |
Student > Master | 13 | 11% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 12 | 10% |
Other | 18 | 16% |
Unknown | 28 | 24% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Medicine and Dentistry | 23 | 20% |
Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 17 | 15% |
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 14 | 12% |
Immunology and Microbiology | 9 | 8% |
Veterinary Science and Veterinary Medicine | 5 | 4% |
Other | 17 | 15% |
Unknown | 30 | 26% |