title: Cytomegalovirus and human immunodeficiency virus in semen of homosexual men.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the accuracy of serology to predict the presence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in semen of homosexual men without and with HIV coinfection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semen CMV was detected by electron microscopy and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification; paired serum was tested for CMV IgG/IgM. Semen HIV was detected by reverse transcription-PCR.
  
  
  METHODS
  Licensed clinical and research laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-eight men.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  Frequency of CMV and HIV in semen.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cytomegalovirus was detected by electron microscopy in 3 of 10 specimens examined. Forty-six (89%) of 52 HIV-infected men were seropositive for CMV by combined assay for IgG/IgM; two more (48 of 52, 92%) were seropositive for CMV IgG by separate assay; 25 (48%) of the HIV-infected men had PCR-detectable CMV DNA in at least one semen specimen, 22 of whom (42%) had CMV in all specimens. Nineteen (13%) of the 150 specimens tested positive for HIV, whereas 67 (45%) tested positive for CMV; seven specimens tested positive for both CMV and HIV. Cytomegalovirus, but not HIV, detection in semen correlated with decreased CD4(+) lymphocytes in peripheral blood (<700/μL) but was not accurately predicted by serology, leukocytospermia, or age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cytomegalovirus in semen is not accurately predicted by serology. Sperm banking needs to include direct assessment of CMV in semen specimens. Strategies to eliminate CMV from semen specimens are needed to alleviate the risk of virus transmission.
authors: Bedford Research Foundation Laboratory, Somerville, Massachusetts.
authors: Joshua
authors: J
authors: Lupton
authors: Bedford Research Foundation Laboratory, Somerville, Massachusetts.
authors: Jack
authors: J
authors: Vernamonti
authors: Bedford Research Foundation Laboratory, Somerville, Massachusetts.
authors: Clinton
authors: C
authors: McCabe
authors: Bedford Research Foundation Laboratory, Somerville, Massachusetts.
authors: Jacob
authors: J
authors: Noble
authors: Bedford Research Foundation Laboratory, Somerville, Massachusetts.
authors: Hui Zhong
authors: HZ
authors: Yin
authors: Bedford Research Foundation Laboratory, Somerville, Massachusetts.
authors: Robert C
authors: RC
authors: Eyre
authors: Bedford Research Foundation Laboratory, Somerville, Massachusetts. Electronic address: kiessling@bedfordresearch.org.
authors: Ann A
authors: AA
authors: Kiessling
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012661:Semen / Q000821:virology*; D013074:Sperm Banks / Q000592:standards; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: CD4(+) lymphocytes; Cytomegalovirus serology; HIV; leukocytospermia; semen