Ebola virus RNA can persist in the semen
of survivors more than two years after the onset of infection researchers at
the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have found. The research team,
which included investigators from Ohio-based Clinical Research Management and
the ELWA Hospital in Liberia also observed the detection of Ebola virus RNA in
the semen of men who had previously had a negative test of their semen in some
cases.
These findings led the study team to
suggest revision of the 2016 World Health Organization guidelines relating to
the sexual transmission of Ebola, which calls for men who survive Ebola virus
disease (EVD) to undertake measures such as abstinence and the use of condoms
for at least 12 months after the onset of EVD or until their semen has tested
negative for Ebola virus RNA twice.
The study team also reports that the men
whose samples tested positive for Ebola virus RNA were more likely to be older
than those with a negative result. Those who had Ebola virus RNA detected in
their semen also complained of vision problems at a higher rate than male
survivors without evidence of Ebola virus RNA in their semen. The researchers
recommend future studies investigate the source of viral persistence and
whether the detection of viral RNA signifies the presence of infectious virus.
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Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle
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Pharmaceutical Microbiology