Identification of HIV-1 in semen following primary HIV-1 infection

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether HIV could be identified in semen samples during the first few weeks after infection.

Design: A series of three homosexual men with symptomatic primary HIV-1 infection.

Methods: Each subject provided a series of semen samples that was examined for HIV-1 by virus culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and transmission electron micrography.

Results: The first samples obtained for each subject (17, 22 and 24 days following onset of primary HIV-1 infection) were all positive by PCR and negative by viral culture. Of 13 samples obtained during the first 80 days after onset of primary HIV-1 infection and analysed by PCR, 10 were positive. Only one of these samples was virus culture-positive. Four semen samples obtained from two subjects during treatment with zidovudine were PCR-positive. Eight samples were examined for presence of HIV-1 by electron microscopy and one was found to be positive.

Conclusions: These results indicate that men with HIV-1 infection are potentially infectious through sexual transmission during the first few weeks after infection. The findings emphasize that individuals in all stages of HIV-1 infection should practise safer sex to reduce transmission of HIV-1.