The role of semen in sexual transmission of HIV: beyond a carrier for virus particles

Juan Sabatté; Federico Remes Lenicov; Mercedes Cabrini; Christian Rodriguez Rodrigues; Matías Ostrowski; Ana Ceballos; Sebastián Amigorena; Jorge Geffner

doi:10.1016/j.micinf.2011.06.005

The role of semen in sexual transmission of HIV: beyond a carrier for virus particles

Microbes Infect. 2011 Nov;13(12-13):977-82. doi: 10.1016/j.micinf.2011.06.005. Epub 2011 Jul 1.

Authors

Juan Sabatté¹, Federico Remes Lenicov, Mercedes Cabrini, Christian Rodriguez Rodrigues, Matías Ostrowski, Ana Ceballos, Sebastián Amigorena, Jorge Geffner

Affiliation

¹ Centro Nacional de Referencia para el SIDA, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

PMID: 21767659
DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2011.06.005

Abstract

Unprotected sexual intercourse between discordant couples is by far the most frequent mode of HIV-1 (human immunodeficiency virus type 1) transmission being semen the main vector for HIV-1 dissemination worldwide. Semen is usually considered merely as a vehicle for HIV-1 transmission. In this review we discuss recent observations suggesting that beyond being a carrier for virus particles semen markedly influences the early events involved in sexual transmission of HIV through the mucosal barriers.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Dendritic Cells / virology*
Female
HIV Infections / transmission*
HIV Infections / virology
HIV-1 / physiology*
Humans
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Male
Semen / physiology*
Semen / virology*
Spermatozoa / virology*
Vagina / chemistry
Virion
Virus Attachment