October 26, 2009

Sperm—Not Just Semen—Might Play HIV Transmission Role

While it has been long proved that HIV-positive men can transmit HIV to sexual partners through their semen, a new study suggests that sperm cells may actually play a role in transmission, HealthDay News reports. The study is published in the October 26 online edition and the November 23 print edition of the Journal of Experimental Medicine.

According to researchers—led by Ana Ceballos of the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina—HIV attaches to the surface of sperm and can be transmitted to immune cells.

Researchers add that the virus is able to travel to these immune cells, called dendritic cells, by passing through tiny abrasions in the vagina or anus or through other methods. An acidic environment, such as that of the vagina following intercourse, increases the likelihood of dendritic cell infection.

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Previous Comments:

Mark, Toronto, 2009-10-30 14:21:00
Another bad study while women with HIV are conceiving and bearing children safely with medication. What is the ulterior motive of these researchers. This is not useful.

Isometa, Pretoria, 2009-10-29 03:47:55
The goes my chance of having another baby. i thouht learning more about the decease will make it manageble but its becoming more and more scarying

Karen, , 2009-10-28 14:32:49
Rolandito, Your medication is VERY old fashion - Please get off of DDI and Stavudine and get on a modern treatment - who knows maybe that will clear your semem too. Lets wait and see the real story on this - I have not heard this to be true in 25 years. KCW

Shawn Decker, C'ville, VA, 2009-10-28 03:22:26
The success rate of spermwashing has to be taken into account when assessing how infectious this HIV-sperm deal is, I believe. The science is interesting, but there wouldn't be couple doing spermwashing at all if getting infected from sperm via in vitro was an issue. I'm afraid this report will make it even harder for poz/neg couples to find physicians willing to assist them or even direct them in the right direction, despite excellent track record of sperm-washing.

Bryne, Lismore, 2009-10-28 01:00:02
Great, i've had the virus for almost 20 years and now they're saying it might be on my sperm as well. What about the Swiss study that said if i was on meds, undetectable viral load and no sti's I could have unprotected sex with my boyfriend if I was in a sero discordant relationship? I suppose it will have one effect and make us think more about condoms before we bareback. (c'mon, admit it, we do that even though we know we shouldn't)

John, Chattanooga, 2009-10-27 23:54:23
To Rolandito in Miami. Before I ever had HIV I had something called Epiditimitus. And my sperm was also reddish to brown color. if you are having any type of soreness or swelling in your testicals you should check into this.

jim, , 2009-10-27 20:18:55
Fertility clinics do 'sperm washing' for men where the other products are washed away leaving the sperm which is then used for IVF reproduction. As far as I'm aware there's no risk of transmission of HIV with this procedure, but this seems counter to this article. Is this article correct ?

Tom, san diego, 2009-10-27 17:26:59
Rolandito, I knew a guy who was not pos and his semen was the same color that you described yours was. So, I don't think it's related, he was only 21 yo.

Steve, Morristown, 2009-10-27 16:58:41
I wanted to know more about dendritic cells, so I checked Wikipedia, and there it is. I'm still unclear as to how this affects the mucosal cells (those in the mouth), and how this pertains to oral sex. More disturbingly is that it took 28 YEARS into this pandemic to discover this? It seems that if, in fact, this could have an impact on oral sex, there would be infinitely more documented cases of transmission by fellatio, especially for the passive partner. Why no mention of this until NOW?

Steve, Morristown, 2009-10-27 16:42:16
Dendritic cells are immune cells that form part of our immune system. They are present in small quantities in our tissues that are in contact with the environment, mainly skin, the inner lining of the nose, lungs, stomach and intestines. They can also be found in an immature state in the blood. Once activated, they migrate to the lymphoid tissues where they interact with T and B cells to initiate and shape the immune response. At certain stages they grow dendrites, where the cell gets its name.

Rolandito, Miami, 2009-10-27 14:13:24
I'm HIV survivor of 19 years, I'm taking Norvir, Invirase, Didanosine,Stavudine,Acyclovir,Warfarin, Acyclovir, Finasteride,Lipitor and Zolpidem for sleeping. Besides Lipoadimia and back pains, everything seems to be OK. My sperm is the color of burgundy wine, like coagulated blood. I've been to 3 Drs. and any of them can answer me as to why I have this condition. Anyone out there would have any idea or explanation? Thank you!

Anthony J., Staten Island, 2009-10-27 13:10:30
Just another way to contract this disease. Being in excellent health for 13 years with this I am now, for the past few months, find myself having to go to therapy and support groups which I never had to in the past because I accepted the fact that I had it but now with all this new news....SCARES the shit out me ! Where are the cures/vaccines?

Anonymous, , 2009-10-27 10:50:02
Actually, the study IS in the October 26 online edition. Here's the link- jem.rupress.org/cgi/content/full/jem.20612iti2

Ian, , 2009-10-27 03:31:44
The study is NOT published in the October 26 online edition of the Journal of Experimental Medicine. Is POZ news team becoming shalow not and doublechecking the sources of sensational news?