Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus infection of the male reproductive tract induces pathology and inflammation - PubMed
5 hours ago
- #viral transmission
- #male reproductive health
- #SFTSV
- SFTSV infection affects male reproductive organs in mice, leading to low sperm count and inflammation.
- The virus infects Leydig cells in the testis, causing apoptosis, pyroptosis, and disrupted testosterone production.
- Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed infiltration of CCR2+ and SPP1+ macrophages, driving epididymal hyperinflammation and fibrosis.
- An S100A4 inhibitor reduced pathology and mortality in infected mice.
- Potential male-to-female sexual transmission risk was observed in mice.
- In infected patients, viral shedding in semen correlated with disease severity and spermatogenic dysfunction, persisting nearly 3 months post-symptom onset.