title: A comparison of seminal hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA levels during recent and chronic HCV infection in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected individuals.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We aimed to characterize seminal hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA dynamics in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive men with acute HCV infection given its potential role in sexual transmission of HCV.
  
  
  METHODS
  Men with acute HCV infection (duration, ≤12 months) or chronic HCV infection (duration, >12 months) were prospectively recruited. Paired semen and blood samples were assayed for HCV RNA levels. Results were analyzed using χ(2), Fisher exact, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighteen men (27.3%) had acute HCV and HIV coinfection, 22 (33.3%) had chronic HCV infection and HIV coinfection, and 26 (39.4%) had chronic HCV monoinfection. HCV RNA was detected in semen specimens from 29 of 66 men (43.9%). The median HCV RNA level in blood was 4.0 log IU/mL higher than that in semen. HCV RNA levels were correlated in semen and blood (r(2) = 0.142). Neither HIV positivity nor acute HCV infection was associated with an increased frequency of seminal HCV RNA detection. Among men with acute HCV and HIV coinfection, the median HCV RNA level in blood specimens from those with seminal HCV RNA was higher than that in blood specimens from those without seminal HCV RNA (P = .001). Seminal HCV RNA was detected in ≥1 sample for 26 of 35 men (74.3%) attending follow up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HCV RNA was detected in semen during both acute and chronic HCV infection. This was unaffected by HIV positivity or the phase of HCV infection. Elevated seminal HCV RNA levels could contribute to sexual transmission of HCV, but other factors, including high-risk behaviors, may be the main drivers for HCV transmission in HIV-infected individuals.
authors.affiliation: Kirby Institute Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bradshaw
authors.affiliation: Kirby Institute.
authors.forename: Francois
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lamoury
authors.affiliation: St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Beth
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Catlett
authors.affiliation: Kirby Institute.
authors.forename: Tanya L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Applegate
authors.affiliation: St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mcallister
authors.affiliation: Kirby Institute.
authors.forename: Gregory J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Dore
authors.affiliation: Kirby Institute.
authors.forename: Gail V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.affiliation: St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW Australia.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Danta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001769:Blood / Q000821:virology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012661:Semen / Q000821:virology*; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral
keywords: HIV; hepatitis C virus; men who have sex with men; semen; sexual transmission of HCV