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

SABATTÉ, JUAN; REMES LENICOV, FEDERICO; CABRINI, MERCEDES; RODRIGUEZ RODRIGUES, CHRISTIAN; OSTROWSKI, MATÍAS; CEBALLOS, ANA; AMIGORENA, SEBASTIAN; GEFFNER, JORGE

MICROBES AND INFECTION

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Año: 2011 p. 977 - 982

1286-4579

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.