Longitudinal follow-up of Zika virus RNA in semen of a traveller returning from Barbados to the Netherlands with Zika virus disease, March 2016

Euro Surveill. 2016 Jun 9;21(23). doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2016.21.23.30251.

Abstract

We report the longitudinal follow-up of Zika virus (ZIKV) RNA in semen of a traveller who developed ZIKV disease after return to the Netherlands from Barbados, March 2016. Persistence of ZIKV RNA in blood, urine, saliva and semen was followed until the loads reached undetectable levels. RNA levels were higher in semen than in other sample types and declined to undetectable level at day 62 post onset of symptoms.

Keywords: Flaviviridae; Zika virus; diagnostics; imported viral infections; prevention; vector-borne infections.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Barbados
  • Disease Progression
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Netherlands
  • RNA / analysis*
  • Semen / chemistry*
  • Semen Analysis / methods*
  • Travel*
  • Viral Load
  • Zika Virus / genetics
  • Zika Virus / isolation & purification*
  • Zika Virus Infection / diagnosis
  • Zika Virus Infection / virology*

Substances

  • RNA