Prevalence of HHV-6 A and B in semen of men with impaired fertility

Abstract

Abstract: 

Male infertility is considered a multifactorial condition that sometimes have an unknown origin. Between all the possible influencing factors, male reproductive tract infections are considered a very common reasons for infertility. These infections can disrupt fertility by damaging spermiogenesis, altering sperm function or causing obstruction of the seminal ducts. The microorganisms most associated with this pathology are: Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Herpes simplex virus, Ureaplasma urealitycum, among others.

In recent years, several studies have reported the presence in semen samples of human Herpesviruses 6 A and B (HHV-6A and B). These are two viruses cause persistent infections in a high percentage of the world’s population and are mainly associated with infantile roseola. HHV-6A and B infection are currently under study in the genitalia and with unknown consequences.

The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of HHV-6A and B in the semen of infertile men in our region.

We studied 100 semen samples from men with fertility alterations due to a nested PCR reaction for the detection of HHV-6A and HHV-6B genomic DNA. In addition, in 87 of the 100 samples the results were related to the presence of other infections: Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Chlamydia trachomatis, Herpes simplex virus 1 and 2, Ureaplasma urealitycum and Micoplasma hominis.

Twelve samples were positive for HHV-6A and 13 for HHV-6B, resulting in prevalence of 12% (12/100) and 13% (13/100) respectively. Neither sample tested were positive for both viruses. HHV-6A or B were detected with some other pathogens studied as a co-infection, but in 9 of the 100 samples, we only identified HHV-6A or B. This samples were negative for the other pathogenic microorganisms.

Conclusion: due to the considerable observed prevalence of HHV-6A and B, and the enough evidence that many samples presented these viruses as the only genital pathogens, these viruses deserve to be further studied and clarified their pathogenic roles in male infertility.