Italian males recovering from mild COVID-19 show no evidence of SARS-CoV-2 in semen despite prolonged nasopharyngeal swab positivity

Pavone, Carlo; Giammanco, Anna; Baiamonte, Davide; Pinelli, Mirko; Bonura, Celestino; Montalbano, Maurizio; Profeta, Giuseppe; Curcurù, L; Bonura, Floriana

doi:10.1038/s41443-020-00344-0

Cited by 46 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 5 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Several authors have investigated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in semen [10,[20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32] (Table 4). They all conducted a search for viral RNA through RT-PCR, albeit screening for different genes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 in seminal fluid

Paoli

Pallotti

Nigro

et al. 2021

J Endocrinol Invest

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose Due to relevant repercussions on reproductive medicine, we aimed to evaluate feasibility of RT-PCR as a detection method of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in seminal fluid. Methods A qualitative determination of the RT-PCR assays in semen was performed through different approaches: (1) efficiency of RNA extraction from sperm and seminal plasma was determined using PRM1 and PRM2 mRNA and a heterologous system as control; (2) samples obtained by diluting viral preparation from a SARS-CoV-2 panel (virus cultured in Vero E6 cell lines) were tested; (3) viral presence in different fractions of seminal fluid (whole sample, seminal plasma and post-centrifugation pellet) was evaluated. Semen samples from mild and recovered COVID-19 subjects were collected by patients referring to the Infectious Disease Department of the Policlinico Umberto I Hospital - “Sapienza” University of Rome. Control subjects were recruited at the Laboratory of Seminology-Sperm Bank “Loredana Gandini'' of the same hospital. Results The control panel using viral preparations diluted in saline and seminal fluid showed the capability to detect viral RNA presence with Ct values depending on the initial viral concentration. All tested semen samples were negative for SARS-CoV-2, regardless of the nasopharyngeal swab result or seminal fluid fraction. Conclusion These preliminary data show that RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 RNA testing appears to be a feasible method for the molecular diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 in seminal fluid, supported by results of the control panel. The ability to detect SARS-CoV-2 in semen is extremely important for reproductive medicine, especially in assisted reproductive technology and sperm cryopreservation.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 in seminal fluid

Paoli

Pallotti

Nigro

et al. 2021

J Endocrinol Invest

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Tables 1 and 2 depict published global studies investigating the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the male reproductive tract. Table 1 summarizes findings in the seminal fluid (9,36,37,(40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46)(47)(48)(49)(50), and Table 2 summarizes findings in the testes and prostatic fluid (34-36, 40, 51, 52).…”

Section: Evidence From Epidemiological Investigationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 may affect male fertility but is not sexually transmitted: a systematic review

Tur-Kaspa

Hildebrand

et al. 2021

F&S Reviews

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective SARS-CoV-2 has led to a rapidly spreading COVID-19 global pandemic. Since the putative receptor for the virus is identified in reproductive organs, it is important to examine if SARS-CoV-2 targets the human reproductive tract. And, if so, is COVID-19 a sexually transmitted disease (STD)? Evidence Review A systematic review of English publications to December 11, 2020, was conducted in PubMed, NIH iCite COVID-19 portfolio, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases, searching for SARS-CoV-2 in testes, seminal, prostatic and vaginal fluids, and in cervical smears. 1,997 records were identified, duplicates were removed, and 1,490 records were reviewed for eligibility by examining titles and abstracts. 202 full-text relevant articles were reviewed by two independent reviewers. 47studies (literature reviews, editorials, and guidelines) were assessed qualitatively and 23 studies that tested the male and female reproductive tracts of COVID-19 patients for SARS-CoV-2 were quantitatively analyzed. Findings No epidemiological investigations to date have described evidence suggesting that COVID-19 is an STD. While ACE2 receptor is found in reproductive organs, the lack of co-expression of the TMPRSS2 modulatory protein, required for SARS-CoV-2 cell entry, in testicular cells, sperm, or oocytes, argues against the hypothesis that gametes transmit SARS-CoV-2. Molecular detection studies of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the male and female reproductive tracts were summarized: 98.0% (293/299) of the seminal fluids, 16/17 testicular biopsies, all 89 prostatic fluids, 98.3% (57/58) of the vaginal fluids, all 35 cervical smears, and all 16 oocyte samples tested negative for SARS-CoV-2. None of the studies confirmed sexual transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Nonetheless, COVID-19 may have detrimental effects on male reproduction by inducing orchitis and/or decreasing testosterone levels, sperm counts, and motility. Conclusions Based on the current worldwide published information, COVID-19 is not an STD. This information is important for clinicians, proposed guidelines for public health, FDA guidelines for gamete and tissue donor eligibility, and for fertility treatments. Universal precautions, currently practiced worldwide, are adequate and sufficient at this time to prevent the transmission of known or unknown viral infections. We suggest that recovered patients of COVID-19, especially those with infertility, should be evaluated for their ovarian and testicular function.

show abstract

“…This review is highlighting the possibility of semen to be a vehicle for transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Some recent studies negate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in semen [44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52] and only one study proves its presence 53 .…”

Section: Effects Of Sars-cov-2 On Human Male Gametesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Italy, Pavone et al 52 reported that no evidence of SARS-CoV-2 in semen of nine Italian males recovering from mild COVID-19 in spite of prolonged positivity of nasopharyngeal swabs. Despite the limited size of this study, they outweighed low probability of SARS-CoV-2 sexual transmission by men recovering from mild symptoms.…”

Section: Reports Excluding Possibility Of Sars-cov-2 Transmission By Semenmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can COVID-19 Be Transmitted Sexually by Semen?

Taha¹

2020

J Pure Appl Microbiol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Information on the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has amplified quickly since its spread; however, many issues remain unclear. SARS-CoV-2 is mainly transmitted through respiratory secretions. However, the potential for SARS-CoV-2 sexual transmission by semen is worthy of study. The cell-receptors of SARS-CoV-2, the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 receptors, are highly expressed in human testis and may enable this virus to cause testicular tissue damage with bad effect on male fertility. SARS-CoV-2 presentation ranges from asymptomatic carriage to acute respiratory distress and fatal pneumonia, and elderly persons with underlying comorbidities usually suffer from a severe clinical picture. Asymptomatic individuals can spread the virus through their respiratory secretions and possibly through sexual transmission. SARS-CoV-2 can persist viable if cryopreserved in semen samples in sperm cryobankes. As far as I know, there is a gap in knowledge about SARS-CoV-2 transmission through semen, indicating the need for further research. This review attempts to understand the SARS-CoV-2 sexual transmission by semen. One recent study confirmed the theoretical risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission by semen, but few studies negate this theory. Given that, an increasing number of asymptomatic and reactivated SARS-CoV-2 cases are being reported, attention to semen safety and SARS-CoV-2 transmission should be considered particularly in high-risk areas, to ensure the safety of male gametes for artificial reproduction and the general public. Avoiding cryopreservation of male gametes, condom use or even abstinence might be of paramount importance for these persons.

show abstract

Italian males recovering from mild COVID-19 show no evidence of SARS-CoV-2 in semen despite prolonged nasopharyngeal swab positivity

Cited by 46 publications

References 5 publications

Molecular diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 in seminal fluid

Molecular diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 in seminal fluid

COVID-19 may affect male fertility but is not sexually transmitted: a systematic review

Can COVID-19 Be Transmitted Sexually by Semen?

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About