Chikungunya Virus Shedding in Semen: A Case Series

Viruses. 2022 Aug 26;14(9):1879. doi: 10.3390/v14091879.

Abstract

Background: Chikungunya is a viral disease that is transmitted by mosquitoes. It is characterized by an acute onset of fever and severe arthralgia.

Methods: We describe six cases of acute and post-acute chikungunya in which viral RNA was detected in semen.

Conclusions: The most prolonged detection period was 56 days after illness onset. We attempted to cultivate positive semen samples, but virus isolation was unsuccessful in all cases.

Keywords: chikungunya; detection; genitals; persistence; semen; shedding.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chikungunya Fever*
  • Chikungunya virus* / genetics
  • Humans
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Semen
  • Virus Shedding

Substances

  • RNA, Viral

Grants and funding

This work was supported by INOVA FIOCRUZ (grant number: VPPCB-008-FIO-18-2-26); Coordenação de Vigilância em Saúde e Laboratórios de Referência (CVSRL-Fiocruz), and the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro/(FAPERJ), (grant number E-26/2002.930/2016).