Persistent detection of Zika virus RNA in semen for six months after symptom onset in a traveller returning from Haiti to Italy, February 2016

Euro Surveill. 2016 Aug 11;21(32):30314. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2016.21.32.30314.

Abstract

A man in his early 30s reported in January 2016 a history of fever, asthenia and erythematous rash during a stay in Haiti. On his return to Italy, ZIKV RNA was detected in his urine and saliva 91 days after symptom onset, and in his semen on day 188, six months after symptom onset. Our findings support the possibility of sexual transmission of ZIKV and highlight the importance of continuing to investigate non-vector-borne ZIKV infection.

Keywords: ZIKV; Zika Virus; saliva; semen; urine.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Asthenia / virology
  • Exanthema / virology
  • Fever / virology
  • Haiti
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Safe Sex
  • Saliva / virology
  • Semen / virology*
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / prevention & control
  • Spouses
  • Time Factors
  • Travel*
  • Urine / virology
  • Virus Shedding*
  • Zika Virus / genetics
  • Zika Virus / isolation & purification*
  • Zika Virus Infection / blood
  • Zika Virus Infection / diagnosis*
  • Zika Virus Infection / virology

Substances

  • RNA, Viral