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Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging pathogen causally associated with serious sequelae in fetuses, inducing fetal microcephaly and other neurodevelopment defects. ZIKV is primarily transmitted by mosquitoes, but can persist in human semen and sperm, and sexual transmission has been documented. Moreover, exposure of type-I interferon knockout mice to ZIKV results in severe damage to the testes, epididymis and sperm. Candidate ZIKV vaccines have shown protective efficacy in preclinical studies carried out in animal models, and several vaccines have entered clinical trials. Here, we report that administration of a synthetic DNA vaccine encoding ZIKV pre-membrane and envelope (prME) completely protects mice against ZIKV-associated damage to the testes and sperm and prevents viral persistence in the testes following challenge with a contemporary strain of ZIKV. These data suggest that DNA vaccination merits further investigation as a potential means to reduce ZIKV persistence in the male reproductive tract., Zika virus (ZIKV) can persist in human semen and sperm, which can result in sexual transmission. Here, Griffin et al. show that a DNA vaccine, expressing ZIKV pre-membrane and envelope proteins, protects mice from infection-associated damage to testes and sperm, and prevents viral persistence in testes.

Persistent Müllerian duct syndrome (PMDS) is a rare anomaly characterized by the presence of a combination of Müllerian derivatives, including a uterus, fallopian tubes, cervix or vagina in otherwise normally differentiated men. The female form of PMDS is particularly uncommon, making up only 5–10% of the 150 reported cases. In this case, PMDS was not diagnosed until the patient was well into the fifth decade of life. He presented with haematuria and haematospermia and was referred for sonographic examination. During the transrectal prostate ultrasound examination the Müllerian remnants were discovered, including uterus, cervix and vagina. In this report we describe the sonographic and magnetic resonance appearances of PMDS and discuss management via laproscopic hysterectomy and bilateral ovotestectomy.