Frequent Zika Virus Sexual Transmission and Prolonged Viral RNA Shedding in an Immunodeficient Mouse Model

Cell Reports

Richard A. Bowen¹  Sherif R. Zaki²  Jana M. Ritter²  Samuel E. Pestorius²  Gwong-Jen J. Chang³  Nisha K. Duggal³  Brent S. Davis³  Aaron C. Brault³ 

[1] Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA;Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA;Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA;

关键词: Zika virus;    mouse model;    animal model;    sexual transmission;    vasectomy;    semen;    pregnancy;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.celrep.2017.01.056

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Circulation of Zika virus (ZIKV) was first identified in the Western hemisphere in late 2014. Primarily transmitted through mosquito bite, ZIKV can also be transmitted through sex and from mother to fetus, and maternal ZIKV infection has been associated with fetal malformations. We assessed immunodeficient AG129 mice for their capacity to shed ZIKV in semen and to infect female mice via sexual transmission. Infectious virus was detected in semen between 7 and 21 days post-inoculation, and ZIKV RNA was detected in semen through 58 days post-inoculation. During mating, 73% of infected males transmitted ZIKV to uninfected females, and 50% of females became infected, with evidence of fetal infection in resulting pregnancies. Semen from vasectomized mice contained significantly lower levels of infectious virus, though sexual transmission still occurred. This model provides a platform for studying the kinetics of ZIKV sexual transmission and prolonged RNA shedding also observed in human semen.

【 授权许可】

Unknown