Seminal fluid excretion of cytomegalovirus related to immunosuppression in homosexual men
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Seminal fluid samples from 84 Danish homosexual men were successfully cultured to determine the prevalence of cytomegalovirus excretion. Ten (15%) out of 66 men positive for the antibody were found to be excreting the virus. Although the proportion excreting was inversely related to age (p <0.01), three men aged over 30 and with many years of homosexual experience excreted the virus. In addition, a 50 year old man with Kaposi's sarcoma excreted the virus. A further study of the ratio of T cell helpers to suppressors in the men aged over 30 and a series of age matched non-excreting homosexual control or heterosexual men showed that those excreting cytomegalovirus in their seminal fluid had statistically lower ratios (all <0.77) than the controls (p <0.05). Excretion of cytomegalovirus may be related to re-emergence of latent infection in immunosuppressed homosexual men.
Original language | English |
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Journal | BMJ Innovations |
Volume | 286 |
Issue number | 6383 |
Pages (from-to) | 2010-2012 |
Number of pages | 3 |
ISSN | 2055-8074 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1983 |
ID: 260895025