Detection of HIV-1 in seminal plasma and seminal cells of HIV-1 seropositive men

It is of critical importance to precisely understand the modalities of HIV presence in semen, especially with regard to procreation. In this study, pa ired blood and semen samples from 31 human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (H IV-l)-positive men were assessed for cell-free HIV-RNA load in blood plasma (BP) and seminal plasma (SP), and for detection of HIV by culture, PCR and RT-PCR in semen cellular fractions separated by centrifugation on Percoll gradient. HIV-RNA was detected in 94% of BP and 84% of SP samples. For 11 m en (35%), HIV-RNA load in SP was equal or superior to that observed in bloo d. HIV-DNA presence was demonstrated (either by PCR or culture positivity) in 39% of the non-spermatozoal cells (NSC)-enriched fractions, and in one P ercoll-selected sperm pellet. HIV-RNA was detected in 17% (4/23) of the spe rm pellets. This positivity was associated with an HIV-RNA load in SP equal or superior to the HIV-RNA load in blood, a high rate of HIV-DNA detection in the NSC fraction, and a low CD4+ cell count. In such conditions, a sign ificant viral production inside the genital tract is more likely to be pres ent, and a close association between HIV and gametes might occur. Assisted procreation with selected spermatozoa should be preceded by accurate assess ments of viral presence in blood, SP and semen cellular fractions. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.