scholarly journals Persistence and Intra-Host Genetic Evolution of Zika Virus Infection in Symptomatic Adults: A Special View in the Male Reproductive System

Viruses ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 615 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle Oliveira ◽  
Giuliana Durigon ◽  
Érica Mendes ◽  
Jason Ladner ◽  
Robert Andreata-Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive System ◽  
Zika Virus ◽  
Male Reproductive System ◽  
Genetic Evolution ◽  
Single Nucleotide Variants ◽  
Zikv Infection ◽  
Initial Symptoms ◽  
Host Genetic ◽  
Male Patients

We followed the presence of Zika virus (ZIKV) in four healthy adults (two men and two women), for periods ranging from 78 to 298 days post symptom onset. The patients were evaluated regarding the presence of the virus in different body fluids (blood, saliva, urine and semen), development of immune responses (including antibodies, cytokines and chemokines), and virus genetic variation within samples collected from semen and urine during the infection course. The analysis was focused primarily on the two male patients who shed the virus for up to 158 days after the initial symptoms. ZIKV particles were detected in the spermatozoa cytoplasm and flagella, in immature sperm cells and could also be isolated from semen in cell culture, confirming that the virus is able to preserve integrity and infectivity during replication in the male reproductive system (MRS). Despite the damage caused by ZIKV infection within the MRS, our data showed that ZIKV infection did not result in infertility at least in one of the male patients. This patient was able to conceive a child after the infection. We also detected alterations in the male genital cytokine milieu, which could play an important role in the replication and transmission of the virus which could considerably increase the risk of ZIKV sexual spread. In addition, full genome ZIKV sequences were obtained from several samples (mainly semen), which allowed us to monitor the evolution of the virus within a patient during the infection course. We observed genetic changes over time in consensus sequences and lower frequency intra-host single nucleotide variants (iSNV), that suggested independent compartmentalization of ZIKV populations in the reproductive and urinary systems. Altogether, the present observations confirm the risks associated with the long-term replication and shedding of ZIKV in the MRS and help to elucidate patterns of intra-host genetic evolution during long term replication of the virus.

Insight into the mechanism of aspartame‐induced toxicity in male reproductive system following long‐term consumption in mice model

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-237
Author(s):  
Hojat Anbara ◽  
Mohammad Taghi Sheibani ◽  
Mazdak Razi ◽  
Mehdi Kian
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive System ◽  
Male Reproductive System ◽  
Mice Model ◽  
Insight Into

scholarly journals O-037 The impact of COVID-19 on male fertility: what do we know?”

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Pacey
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive System ◽  
Male Fertility ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Reproductive Hormones ◽  
Male Reproductive System ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Impact

Abstract text Since the very early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, concern has been raised about the possibility of damage to the male reproductive system in those men who are infected with SARS-CoV-2. This was first raised by the early observation (January 2020) that the route of infection was via the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE-2) receptor present on host cells. ACE-2 was first described in the year 2000 and subsequently shown in 2004 to be selectively expressed in the Leydig cells of the adult testis. This opens up the possibility that although COVID-19 is primarily a respiratory infection, it may also infect the male reproductive system. The authors of several review articles have proposed that male fertility may be theoretically impacted by SARS-CoV-2 in a number of ways. This includes alteration of: (i) testicular architecture; (ii) reproductive hormone profiles (LH/FSH); (iii) spermatogenesis as evidenced by changes to ejaculate quality; (iv) sperm function (e.g., DNA damage); (v) sexual/erectile function; or a combination of all five. Clearly each of these individually may impact on the chance of pregnancy or live birth either in natural or medically assisted reproduction. There is also the possibility that SARS-CoV-2 may be transmitted sexually if sufficient numbers of SARS-CoV-2 are found in semen. Reassuringly, of 14 studies published to date, there is little evidence to suggest that SARS-CoV-2 is present in semen and so the possibility of sexual transmission in patient or donor samples can probably be discounted. However, there is currently an incomplete picture of whether semen quality is affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection as studies are often limited by the fact that no pre-infection control samples are available for direct comparison or they are too short to identify any long-term effects. Nevertheless, the few case-controlled studies published which compare semen quality infected with non-infected (control) individuals suggest that there may be a statistically significant alteration in sperm concentration and motility, although it is not clear whether this is linked to infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus or simply a consequence of febrile illness and fever (or medication given to combat the infection). There is currently a lack of long-term data on any impact of COVID-19 on male reproductive hormones (although much speculation about the role that testosterone might play in the severity of disease). There are also emerging reports of increased risk of erectile dysfunction in men following SARS-CoV-2. In terms of birth rates, it is simply too early to tell whether these have been affected by the pandemic, given the possibility of lockdown affecting sexual behaviour in fertile couples and IVF clinic closures in infertile couples. In conclusion, although the COVID-19 pandemic has infected over 130 million people worldwide we still know too little about the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the male reproductive system. Given the incidence of long-COVID, and the asymptomatic nature of the infection for some, it is important to commission and conduct long-term studies which can monitor the reproductive outcomes of young men who have survived a SARS-CoV-2 infection.

scholarly journals Zika virus: a new pandemic threat

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (03) ◽  
pp. 201-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Ali Al-Qahtani ◽  
Nyla Nazir ◽  
Mashael R. Al-Anazi ◽  
Salvatore Rubino ◽  
Mohammed N. Al-Ahdal
Keyword(s):  
Zika Virus ◽  
Blood Donation ◽  
French Polynesia ◽  
Western Hemisphere ◽  
Zikv Infection ◽  
Rapid Spread ◽  
Screening And Identification ◽  
Pandemic Threat ◽  
Contaminated Blood

Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging arbovirus of the Flaviviridae family and is related to dengue, Chikungunya, West Nile, yellow fever, and Japanese encephalitis viruses. ZIKV was first discovered in Uganda in 1947. Different species of mosquito from the Aedes genus, mainly A. aegypti and A. albopictus are the vectors responsible for ZIKV infection in humans. It is also reported that ZIKV is transmitted congenitally, sexually, and through blood donation. Until recently, ZIKV outbreaks were sporadic and self-limiting. The first large epidemic was reported from Yap Island in 2007 followed by an outbreak of Zika fever in French Polynesia in 2013. Brazil is the epicenter of the current ZIKV epidemic which is rapidly spreading across the Americas. ZIKV infection remained relatively less studied in view of its low case numbers, and low clinical impact relative to other arboviruses. However, all this is set to change with its rapid spread in the Western hemisphere and suspected complications particularly microcephaly in newborn babies with ZIKV infected mothers. ZIKV is expected to substantially add to both short-term and long-term economic burden of the effected countries. Due to the large number of people travelling across the borders and some reported cases of transmission of ZIKV via contaminated blood, screening and identification of asymptomatic infected individuals are important.

scholarly journals An Update on Sexual Transmission of Zika Virus

Pathogens ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hercules Sakkas ◽  
Petros Bozidis ◽  
Xenofon Giannakopoulos ◽  
Nikolaos Sofikitis ◽  
Chrissanthy Papadopoulou
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Reproductive System ◽  
Zika Virus ◽  
Rna Virus ◽  
Sexual Transmission ◽  
Limited Disease ◽  
Zikv Infection ◽  
Blood Sucking

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the arthropod-borne flaviviruses (arboviruses) which are mainly transmitted by blood-sucking mosquitoes of the genus Aedes. ZIKV infection has been known to be rather asymptomatic or presented as febrile self-limited disease; however, during the last decade the manifestation of ZIKV infection has been associated with a variety of neuroimmunological disorders including Guillain–Barré syndrome, microcephaly and other central nervous system abnormalities. More recently, there is accumulating evidence about sexual transmission of ZIKV, a trait that has never been observed in any other mosquito-borne flavivirus before. This article reviews the latest information regarding the latter and emerging role of ZIKV, focusing on the consequences of ZIKV infection on the male reproductive system and the epidemiology of human-to-human sexual transmission.

scholarly journals Biphasic adverse effect of titanium nanoparticles on testicular function in mice

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nobuhiko Miura ◽  
Katsumi Ohtani ◽  
Tatsuya Hasegawa ◽  
Hiroki Yoshioka ◽  
Gi-Wook Hwang
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Motility ◽  
Reproductive System ◽  
Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles ◽  
Term Effect ◽  
Male Reproductive System ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Sperm Analysis ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Long Term Effect

Abstract The male reproductive system is being recognized as toxic targets of nanoparticles including titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiNP). Most of these reports are, however, obtained from the results of long-term exposure of TiNP. In this study, we diversely examined the acute effects of TiNP on the male reproductive system. Male C57BL/6J mice were administered a single intravenous injection of TiNP (10, 50 mg/kg), and were sacrificed at 1, 3, and 9 days post-injection. Testicular functions (estimated by sperm motility and sperm number) were measured via computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). Results indicated that sperm motility was significantly reduced from 1 day following TiNP injection (in both dose), and this reduction persisted up to 9 days post-TiNP injection (10 mg/kg injection group). Interestingly, we observed no significant decrease in sperm numbers in both the testis and the cauda epididymis in either treatment groups during the course of the experiment. Therefore, we hypothesized that TiNP may target the mature spermatozoa. In addition, sperm suspensions directly incubated with TiNP showed reduced sperm motility, [3H]-thymidine incorporation, and ATP level. Our results indicated that TiNP possesses “biphasic effects”; the obstacles to mature sperms (short term effect) in addition to the impairment in testis (long-term effect).

scholarly journals Late Neurological Consequences of Zika Virus Infection: Risk Factors and Pharmaceutical Approaches

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isis N. O. Souza ◽  
Fernanda G. Q. Barros-Aragão ◽  
Paula S. Frost ◽  
Claudia P. Figueiredo ◽  
Julia R. Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Zika Virus ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Neurological Complications ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Zikv Infection ◽  
Clinical Surveillance ◽  
Infection Risk Factors

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection was historically considered a disease with mild symptoms and no major consequences to human health. However, several long-term, late onset, and chronic neurological complications, both in congenitally-exposed babies and in adult patients, have been reported after ZIKV infection, especially after the 2015 epidemics in the American continent. The development or severity of these conditions cannot be fully predicted, but it is possible that genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors may contribute to determine ZIKV infection outcomes. This reinforces the importance that individuals exposed to ZIKV are submitted to long-term clinical surveillance and highlights the urgent need for the development of therapeutic approaches to reduce or eliminate the neurological burden of infection. Here, we review the epidemiology of ZIKV-associated neurological complications and the role of factors that may influence disease outcome. Moreover, we discuss experimental and clinical evidence of drugs that have shown promising results in vitro or in vitro against viral replication and and/or ZIKV-induced neurotoxicity.

Experimental Evaluation of Long-Term Toxic Effects of Methotrexate on Male Reproductive System

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. G. Borovskaya ◽  
Yu. A. Shchemerova ◽  
E. A. Bokhan ◽  
V. A. Grigor’eva ◽  
A. V. Vychuzhanina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive System ◽  
Experimental Evaluation ◽  
Male Reproductive System ◽  
Toxic Effects

scholarly journals Evidence of Zika virus circulation in asymptomatic pregnant women in Northeast, Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. e0009412
Author(s):  
Rebeca Costa Castelo Branco ◽  
Patrícia Brasil ◽  
Josélio Maria Galvão Araújo ◽  
Flávia Oliveira Cardoso ◽  
Zulmira Silva Batista ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Umbilical Cord ◽  
Zika Virus ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Rapid Test ◽  
Northeast Brazil ◽  
Zikv Infection ◽  
Long Term Impact ◽  
Maternity Clinics

Background Zika virus (ZIKV) is a flavivirus associated with microcephaly and other fetal anormalities. However, evidence of asymptomatic ZIKV infection in pregnant women is still scarce. This study investigated the prevalence of Zika infection in asymptomatic pregnant women attending two public maternities in Maranhão state, Northeast Brazil. Methods A total of 196 women were recruited at the time of delivery by convenience sampling from two maternity clinics in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil, between April 2017 and June 2018. Venous blood, umbilical cord blood and placental fragments from maternal and fetal sides were collected from each subject. ZIKV infection was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) for ZIKV and by serology (IgM and IgG). Nonspecific laboratory profiles (TORCH screen) were obtained from medical records. Results The participants were mostly from São Luís and were of 19–35 years of age. They had 10–15 years of schooling and they were of mixed race, married, and Catholic. ZIKV was identified in three umbilical cord samples and in nine placental fragments. Mothers with positive ZIKV RT-qPCR were in the age group older than 19 years. Of the 196 women tested by ZIKV rapid test, 6 and 117 women were positive for anti-ZIKV IgM and anti-ZIKV IgG antibodies, respectively. Placental Immunohistochemistry study detected ZIKV in all samples positive by RT-PCR. The newborns did not show any morphological and/or psychomotor abnormalities at birth. Conclusions Asymptomatic ZIKV infection is frequent, but it was not associated to morphological and/or psychomotor abnormalities in the newborns up to 6 months post-birth. Although pathological abnormalities were not observed at birth, we cannot rule out the long term impact of apparent asymptomatic congenital ZIKV infection.

scholarly journals Neonatal Zika virus infection causes epileptic seizures, viral persistence and long-term behavioral impairment

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isis N. O. Souza ◽  
Paula S. Frost ◽  
Julia V. França ◽  
Jéssica Nascimento-Viana ◽  
Rômulo L. S. Neris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Zika Virus ◽  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Epileptic Seizures ◽  
Immunocompetent Mouse ◽  
Behavioral Impairment ◽  
Zikv Infection ◽  
Chemically Induced ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Mice Brain

AbstractA causal relationship between congenital Zika virus (ZIKV) exposure and microcephaly and other neurological disorders have been established, but long-term consequences of infection are still unknown. We evaluated acute and late neuropathological and behavioral consequences of ZIKV infection in a neonatal immunocompetent mouse model. ZIKV showed brain tropism, causing post-natal microcephaly and several behavioral dysfunctions. During the acute phase of infection, mice developed very frequent epileptic seizures, which are consistently reduced by TNF-α neutralization. Although adult animals recover from seizures, they become more susceptible to chemically-induced crises. Intriguingly, the virus remained actively replicating in adult animals, which show persistent necrosis and calcifications in the mice brain. Altogether the results reveal late consequences of neonatal ZIKV exposure and suggest the early inhibition of neuroinflammation as a potential treatment.

scholarly journals Persistence of Anti-Zika Virus Immunoglobulin M Antibodies in Children with Microcephaly up to Four Years after Primary Infection

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gubio S. Campos ◽  
Rejane H. Carvalho ◽  
Maria da Glória Teixeira ◽  
Giovanna F. Britto e Silva ◽  
Carolina A. Rolo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Zika Virus ◽  
Primary Infection ◽  
Immune Reaction ◽  
Acute Infection ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
Zikv Infection ◽  
Igm Antibodies ◽  
Igm Antibody ◽  
Antibody Persistence

AbstractZika virus (ZIKV) is a member of the flaviviridae family of virus, considered to cause acute self-limited infection in adults, though it may lead to severe complications. It is believed that ZIKV infection elicit a classical viral immune reaction, with primary IgM antibody response and secondary IgG immunity. Persistence of IgM antibodies has been identified for other viruses belonging to the same family as ZIKV. We investigated, therefore, the presence of anti-ZIKV IgM antibodies in children with microcephaly born between January 2015 and November 2018, and their parents. We have detected persistence of IgM in 22% of children with microcephaly up to four years after primary infection. Long term IgM persistence have implications for the diagnosis of acute infection. More investigation is needed in order to correctly construe the significance of anti-ZIKV IgM persistence in the population in general, and in children with microcephaly in particular. The dynamics of IgM antibody responses against ZIKV must be known and understood to avoid misinterpretation of diagnosis for acute infection, re-infection and antibody persistence.

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