Zika Virus in the Male Reproductive Tract

Liesel Stassen; Charles W Armitage; David J van der Heide; Kenneth W Beagley; Francesca D Frentiu

doi:10.3390/v10040198

Zika Virus in the Male Reproductive Tract

Viruses. 2018 Apr 16;10(4):198. doi: 10.3390/v10040198.

Authors

Liesel Stassen¹, Charles W Armitage², David J van der Heide³, Kenneth W Beagley⁴, Francesca D Frentiu⁵

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4006, Queensland, Australia. liesel.stassen@qut.edu.au.
² Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4006, Queensland, Australia. charles.armitage@qut.edu.au.
³ Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4006, Queensland, Australia. d.vanderheide@qut.edu.au.
⁴ Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4006, Queensland, Australia. k2.beagley@qut.edu.au.
⁵ Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4006, Queensland, Australia. francesca.frentiu@qut.edu.au.

Abstract

Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) are resurging across the globe. Zika virus (ZIKV) has caused significant concern in recent years because it can lead to congenital malformations in babies and Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults. Unlike other arboviruses, ZIKV can be sexually transmitted and may persist in the male reproductive tract. There is limited information regarding the impact of ZIKV on male reproductive health and fertility. Understanding the mechanisms that underlie persistent ZIKV infections in men is critical to developing effective vaccines and therapies. Mouse and macaque models have begun to unravel the pathogenesis of ZIKV infection in the male reproductive tract, with the testes and prostate gland implicated as potential reservoirs for persistent ZIKV infection. Here, we summarize current knowledge regarding the pathogenesis of ZIKV in the male reproductive tract, the development of animal models to study ZIKV infection at this site, and prospects for vaccines and therapeutics against persistent ZIKV infection.

Keywords: Zika; arbovirus; flavivirus; prostate; sexual transmission; testis.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Disease Models, Animal
Genitalia, Male / virology*
Host-Pathogen Interactions*
Humans
Macaca
Male
Mice
Zika Virus / growth & development*
Zika Virus Infection / virology*