Testicular germ cells of HIV-seropositive asymptomatic men are infected bythe virus

In situ PCR hybridization studies in the testis of infected asymptomatic su bjects detected the presence of HIV-1 proviral DNA in the nuclei of germ ce lls at all stages of differentiation suggesting that HIV-seropositive men p roduce infected spermatozoa that are released in the genital tract. In all subjects studied spermatogenesis was normal, the presence of provirus was n ot associated with germ cell damage and a very mild local immune response w as observed. The HIV hybridization pattern observed in germ cells supports the hypothesis of a clonal infection. It is suggested the possibility of a direct infection of the germ cells by cell-free virus and that the testis m ight represent a site of early viral localization, well tolerated because o f the immune privilege of this organ. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd . All rights reserved.