Transmission of genital herpes by donor insemination

JAMA. 1989 Jun 16;261(23):3441-3.

Abstract

This report describes a donor in a therapeutic donor insemination program who asymptomatically acquired a primary herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection from his long-standing sexual partner. His fresh semen was used to inseminate two HSV-seronegative recipients; in one a primary HSV-2 infection developed, and in one it did not. Direct evidence of transmission from donor to recipient was documented by restriction enzyme analysis of the HSV-2 isolates obtained from the donor's semen and from the recipient's cervix. Because of the possibility of asymptomatic acquisition and transmission of HSV-2, semen donors and their sexual partners should undergo serologic screening for genital herpes using new, type-specific HSV serologic techniques.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cervix Uteri / microbiology
  • Female
  • Herpes Genitalis / diagnosis
  • Herpes Genitalis / transmission*
  • Humans
  • Insemination, Artificial*
  • Insemination, Artificial, Heterologous*
  • Male
  • Semen / microbiology
  • Serologic Tests
  • Sexual Partners
  • Simplexvirus / isolation & purification