"Pre-Ejaculatory Fluid as Potential Vector for Sexual Transmission of" HIV-1

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1992. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

"Pre-Ejaculatory Fluid as Potential Vector for Sexual Transmission of" HIV-1

Lancet (12/12/92) Vol. 340, No. 8833, P. 1470
Pudney, Jeffrey et al.

Abstract: Pre-ejaculatory fluid can contain HIV-positive cells, write Jeffrey Pudney et al. of Harvard Medical School in Boston, Mass. The researchers examined smears form pre-ejaculatory fluid samples of HIV-1 seronegative and seropositive men for known HIV-1 host cells and HIV-1- antigen positive cells. A total of 11 samples from six HIV-negative men and 12 samples from nine HIV-positive donors were examined. White blood cells (WBC) were detected with a panel of monoclonal antibodies and HIV-1 antigen positive cells with a cocktail of monoclonal antibodies against specific HIV-1 proteins with visualization by immunocytochemistry. Samples from seropositive donors were separated into two groups depending on whether or not spermatozoa were present. Among 4 sperm-free samples from four donors, three contained HIV-1-positive cells. For the samples with sperm from five donors, three donors produced pre-ejaculatory fluid that contained HIV-1-positive cells. HIV-antigen-positive cells were found in samples from symptom-free and symptomatic men, and from men on AZT or not. In-vitro HIV culture studies in combination with epidemiological studies are needed to determine the infectious potential of pre-ejaculatory fluid. Until then, it should be considered that pre-ejaculatory fluid is potentially infectious, and mucosal exposure to the fluid should be avoided through protected sex, the researchers conclude.

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