Spermatogenic transmission of Marbug and ebola virus

Sora Yasri, Viroj Wiwanitkit

1KMT primary care center, Bangkok Thailand

2Visiting professor, Hainan Medical University, China

Spermatogenic transmission of Marbug and ebola virus

Sora Yasri1*, Viroj Wiwanitkit2

1KMT primary care center, Bangkok Thailand

2Visiting professor, Hainan Medical University, China

ARTICLE INFO

Article history:

Received 18 November 2014

Received in revised form 12 December 2014

Accepted 18 December 2014

Available online 20 March 2015

Spermatogenic

Transmission

Marburg

Ebola

The spermatogenic transmission of infectious disease is an interesting consideration in reproductive medicine. The problem can be serious and classified as sexually transmitted infection. The concern is on the new emerging viral infections because there is usually little information on those new viruses. In this short article, the authors specially review and discuss on Spermatogenic transmission of Marbug and ebola virus.

1. Introduction

The spermatogenic transmission of infectious disease is an interesting consideration in reproductive medicine. In the pathogenesis, any blood borne pathogen which circulates in blood circulation might have chance for presentation in spermatic fluid. If there is any pathogen in spermatic fluid, the chance for further transmission to the others via sexual intercourse can be expected. The problem can be serious and classified as sexually transmitted infection. The best example is the case of HIV virus. At present , the concern is on the new emerging viral infections because there is usually little information on those new viruses. In this short article, the authors specially review and discuss on spermatogenic transmission of Marbug and ebola virus.

2. Spermatogenic transmission of Marburg virus

Marburg virus is considered a new threaten to the medical society. This new virus can cause serious disease. Although there is presently no outbreak of Marburg virus, closed observation and surveillance is suggested. The possibility for spermatogenic transmission of Marburg virus is an interesting topic. It is no doubt that the Marburg virus can be detectable in spermatic fluid[1]. The sperematogenic transmission of Marburg virus in animal model is confirmed [2]. Hence, it is likely that the Marburg virus can have spermatogenic transmission mode and if it is existed, it will become a new problematic sexually transmitted disease. Luckily, there is still no outbreak of Marburg virus infection. Also, there is no mild or asymptomatic case that can be the silent carrier for further possible sexual transmission[3].

3. Spermatogenic transmission of Ebola virus

Ebola virus infection is the present global issue due to its very large outbreak in West Africa in 2014. The disease causes thousand cases of infected patients. Baush et al. studied to risk of transmission of Ebola virus via body fluid and found that clinical specimen “including saliva, stool, semen, breast milk, tears, nasal blood, and a skin swab”could pose virus. Hence, it is no doubt that the contamination of Ebola virus in spermatic fluid is possible [4]. Of interest, the existence of virus in convalescent cases is reported[5]. This might imply risk. In fact, mild or asymptomatic Ebola infected cases can be seen and those cases can be the silent carrier for further possible sexual transmission[6-8].

4. Conclusion

The existence of Marbur and Ebola viruses in semen is confirmed. There is a high possibility that both viruses can have spermatogenic transmission mode. Focusing on the Ebola virus, which is the global problem, the risk of possible sexual transmission in mild or asymptomatic case can be expected.

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*Corresponding author: Sora Yasri, KMT primary care center, Bangkok Thailand. E-mail: sorayasri@outlook.co.th