Detection of herpes simplex DNA in semen and menstrual blood of individuals attending an infertility clinic.
OBJECTIVE
To determine a possible link between herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV) and infertility.


METHODS
A specifically designed polymerase chain reaction with nested primers, was developed and used to test for HSV in 153 men and 20 women attending an infertility clinic.


RESULTS
HSV DNA was detected in 37 (24%) out of 153 semen samples and in 11 (55%) out of 20 menstrual blood samples. However, HSV DNA (0%) was not detected in the semen of 16 males with children. A significant association between the evidence for infertility and an HSV positive test was observed in men (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.024), and a stronger effect was found in females after failed in vitro fertilization (Fisher's exact test p = 0.0086).


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report of the detection of herpes simplex virus DNA in semen and menstrual blood. Encouraging preliminary results justify antiviral therapy in case of a positive test.
el Borai
N
N
Department of Molecular Life Science 1, Tokai University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Inoue
M
M
Lefèvre
C
C
Naumova
E N
EN
Sato
B
B
Yamamura
M
M
D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000235:genetics; D005090:Exodeoxyribonucleases / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D004861:Herpesvirus 1, Equid / Q000235:genetics; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology*; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008598:Menstruation / Q000097:blood*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D014764:Viral Proteins
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D017931:DNA Primers; D004279:DNA, Viral; D014764:Viral Proteins; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase; D005090:Exodeoxyribonucleases; C043417:DNA polymerase, Simplexvirus; D000212:Acyclovir