Identification of HIV-1 in semen following primary HIV-1 infection.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether HIV could be identified in semen samples during the first few weeks after infection.


METHODS
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.
Tindall
B
B
National Centre in HIV Clinical and Epidemiological Research, University of New South Wales, Darlinghurst, Australia.
Evans
L
L
Cunningham
P
P
McQueen
P
P
Hurren
L
L
Vasak
E
E
Mooney
J
J
Cooper
D A
DA
D000328:Adult; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011533:Proviruses / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012661:Semen / Q000382:microbiology*; D014776:Virus Cultivation; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D004279:DNA, Viral; D015215:Zidovudine