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Zika virus (ZIKV) is a teratogenic mosquito-borne flavivirus that can be sexually transmitted from man to woman. The finding of high viral loads and prolonged viral shedding in semen suggests that ZIKV replicates within the human male genital tract, but its target organs are unknown. Using ex vivo infection of organotypic cultures, we demonstrated here that ZIKV replicates in human testicular tissue and infects a broad range of cell types, including germ cells, which we also identified as infected in semen from ZIKV-infected donors. ZIKV had no major deleterious effect on the morphology and hormonal production of the human testis explants. Infection induced a broad antiviral response but no IFN upregulation and minimal proinflammatory response in testis explants, with no cytopathic effect. Finally, we studied ZIKV infection in mouse testis and compared it to human infection. This study provides key insights into how ZIKV may persist in semen and alter semen parameters, as well as a valuable tool for testing antiviral agents.

High performance assays are essential for the serological diagnosis of recent and past Zika virus (ZIKV) infections but few are presently available. We used two commercially available NS1 antigen-based enzyme-linked immunoassays to study the kinetics of anti-ZIKV IgM and IgG in 15 ZIKV-infected patients for up to 180days after clinical onset. The Diapro assay detected anti-ZIKV IgM reactivity more frequently (100%) and for longer (median 53days) than did the Euroimmun assay (60%; 13days, P<0.005). Both assays detected anti-ZIKV IgG reactivity 11days after clinical onset in all subjects. ZIKV IgG reactivity decreased in 3 subjects, suggesting long-term false-negative results with the Euroimmun assay. Existing anti-Dengue antibodies seem to modify the detection of ZIKV IgG but the specificity of the immunoassays was not assessed. These enzyme-linked immunoassays were user-friendly and provided results rapidly in our hands but they need further assessment before being widely used for diagnosis or public health surveys., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Since the 2015-16 epidemic, the Zika virus has been considered as a virus with a high emergence potential and a major impact on public health due to the severe neurological sequelae, particularly congenital. This arbovirus is mainly transmitted by mosquitoes (Aedes) and is also transmitted by blood, transplacental and sexual routes. Infection of support cells and the germ line, as well as seminal excretion of the virus, are frequent at the start of infection, with infectivity possible up to 3 months after contamination. During a period of active circulation (permanent exposure), management in AMP remains complicated and requires recourse to serological (elimination of an infection that is more than one month old) or molecular (elimination of seminal excretion) controls. In men, the impact on sperm parameters appears to be moderate and transient. The 2022 French recommendations set out the various possible situations, but they are likely to evolve in line with epidemiological developments and the availability of preventive and curative measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Zika virus is an RNA virus with vector transmission. Nevertheless, this virus quickly appeared original because of the evidence of a sexual and transplacental transmission, in addition to the vector transmission, but also because of the described effects on the fetus and the newborn if the infection was acquired during the pregnancy. If in the majority of cases the infection is asymptomatic. However, the neurological effects described particularly in newborns but also in adults, as well as the great spread of recent epidemics have been a source of concern. In 2016, the WHO qualified the ZIKA epidemic as a health emergency. This minireview aims to provide an update on the relationship between the virus and the genital tract in men and women as well as sexual transmission. Zika virus can be found in the genital tract of men and women and even in recovered individuals. The duration of excretion is greater in men. Beyond the detection of the viral genome in these compartments, it has been demonstrated that the virus is competent, but over shorter periods of time. Sexual transmission is recognized and probably participates in the dissemination of virus. Many questions remain about the effects of the infection on the reproductive organs and functions as well as on the gametes. A better knowledge of the pathophysiology of the infection, of these modes of transmission will help health policies for prevention and treatment while waiting for a possible vaccine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine whether there is a risk of localized Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in the upper genital tract, specifically the oocytes, follicular fluids and endometrium, in exposed and/or recently infected reproductive-age women. ZIKV is an Aedes mosquito-borne Flavivirus that can lead to birth defects and to developmental anomalies when it infects pregnant women. Controlled observational clinical study following 179 female patients undergoing oocyte vitrification cycles in an academic fertility centre during the ZIKV epidemic in the French territories of the Americas. At the time, the French Ministry of Health issued a ban on medically-induced pregnancies. Oocyte vitrification cycles were the only means of preserving fertility options and ensuring Zika-free oocyte cryopreservation for currently exposed and/or recently infected patients. Samples of serum, urine, lower genital tract, endometrium, follicular fluid and immature oocytes were tested for ZIKV RNA (vRNA) by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Serological analysis for ZIKV antibodies was performed in succession for the duration of the study. The follow-up protocol was set up for more than 6 months post-exposure or post-onset. No vRNA was detected in the various samples from exposed patients. Furthermore, no vRNA was found in the upper genital tracts of women with a recent (3 months) history of acute infection. These findings represent evidence of a lack of vRNA persistence in the reproductive tract in ZIKV exposed and/or recently infected reproductive-age women and could help simplify current guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]