Seminal fluid excretion of cytomegalovirus related to immunosuppression in homosexual men

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • R. J. Biggar
  • H. K. Andersen
  • P. Ebbesen
  • M. Melbye
  • J. J. Goedert
  • D. L. Mann
  • D. M. Strong

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 languageEnglish
JournalBMJ Innovations
Volume286
Issue number6383
Pages (from-to)2010-2012
Number of pages3
ISSN2055-8074
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1983

ID: 260895025