Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 RNA shedding in semen of 36 males with symptomatic, asymptomatic, and convalescent infection during the first and second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Italy

Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 RNA shedding in semen of 36 males with symptomatic, asymptomatic, and convalescent infection during the first and second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Italy

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), has been identified in the human testis, but the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through sexual intercourse still needs to be defined. The goal of our study was to determine if SARS-...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Asian journal of andrology Vol. 24; no. 2; pp. 135 - 138
Main Authors: Pavone, Carlo, Giammanco, Giovanni, Cascino, Andrea, Baiamonte, Davide, Pinelli, Mirko, Cangelosi, Enrico, Filizzolo, Chiara, Sciortino, Giuseppa, Grazia, Simona, Bonura, Floriana
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: China Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd 01-03-2022
Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd
Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd
Wolters Kluwer - Medknow
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
Subjects:
Analysis
coronavirus; covid-19; italy; sars-cov-2; semen; sexual transmission
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
COVID-19 - diagnosis
COVID-19 - epidemiology
Disease transmission
Health aspects
Humans
Male
Original
Pandemics
Polymerase chain reaction
RNA
RNA, Viral - genetics
SARS-CoV-2 - genetics
Semen
Severe acute respiratory syndrome
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
COVID-19
semen
Italy
coronavirus
SARS-CoV-2
sexual transmission
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Summary:The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), has been identified in the human testis, but the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through sexual intercourse still needs to be defined. The goal of our study was to determine if SARS-CoV-2 is detectable in the semen of patients suffering or recovering from coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), still testing positive at nasopharyngeal swabs but showing mild or no symptoms at the time of sampling. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in semen was performed by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and nested PCR targeting open reading frame (ORF) 1ab. Medical history of the enrolled patients was taken, including COVID-19-correlated symptoms, both at the time of diagnosis and at the time of interview. Results of real-time RT-PCR and nested PCR in semen showed no evidence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the 36 patients suffering or recovering from COVID-19 but still positive in a nasopharyngeal swab, from over 116 patients enrolled in the study. SARS-CoV-2 detection and persistence in semen would have an impact on both clinical practice and public health strategies, but our results would suggest that SARS-CoV-2 is not present in the semen of men recovering from COVID-19.
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ISSN:1008-682X
1745-7262
DOI:10.4103/aja2021103