Nipah Virus and Semen: The Cautionary Tale for Transmission

Walter D Cardona Maya; Temidayo S Omolaoye; Paula Andrea Velilla Hernandez; Stefan S du Plessis

Walter D Cardona Maya Reproduction Group, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
Temidayo S Omolaoye College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Paula Andrea Velilla Hernandez Immunovirology Group, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
Stefan S du Plessis College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa.

Keywords: Sperm, Nipah virus, Semen, Transmimssion

Abstract

The dwindling control over microorganisms that were previously more manageable, is progressively surfacing in various regions of the world. Considering this, the possibility of transmitting infections among individuals, some in unconventional ways, such as sexual transmission through semen, is concerning.
The recent pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 exhibited transient adverse effects on semen quality, thus raising concerns regarding the consequences of Nipah virus infection on semen quality and the plausibility of transmission through this body fluid. The recent resurgence of Nipah virus infection, especially in different regions of Asia, compels us to look for its association with semen.
The Nipah virus RNA was reported to be present in the semen on days 16 and 26 after the onset of symptoms of infection, while there was early clearance of the virus in the blood and urine (on day 9).1 This is not devoid of logic, as there are examples of virus persistence in semen, allowing us to postulate that semen is and will be an efficient mode of transmission for microorganisms.

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