Cytomegalovirus in Semen

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus-infected semen derived from a patient who had previously recovered from heterophil-antibody-negative cytomegalovirus mononucleosis contained spermatozoa whose motility was initially depressed, but returned to normal while cytomegalovirus persisted in high titer. The virus was found primarily in extracellular fluid of the semen, and virus particles were demonstrable by electron microscopy as extracellular aggregates. Virus persisted in semen for 14 months while the subject remained asymptomatic and sexually active. Cytomegalovirus was recovered from the uterine cervix of a sexual contact. These studies indicate that cytomegalovirus may persist in semen, probably in extracellular fluids, unassociated with clinical symptoms or apparent impairment of sperm function. The prolonged asymptomatic presence of cytomegalovirus in semen may result in unrecognized venereal transmission of this virus. (N Engl J Med 291:121–123, 1974)