Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in semen samples: a scoping review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2176-7262.rmrp.2022.178463Keywords:
Semen, SARS virus, Infections, DetectionAbstract
Background: many doubts about the infection of SARS-CoV-2 were raised, such as sexual transmission, sterility, and changes in fertility procedures; however, information is not clearly stated and organized.
Purpose: to review and summarize scientific evidence on detection of SARS-CoV-2 in semen samples of Covid-19 patients.
Methods: literature search in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Medline and Embase databases, and followed Scoping Review protocol defined by Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) after the guiding question “Is it possible to detect SARS-CoV-2 in the semen of adult patients with a confirmed diagnosis of Covid-19?”
Results: 287 studies were identified, and, after discerning analysis, 9 studies published in the English language were selected. Three researchers analyzed the studies for SARS-CoV-2 presence in the seminal fluid, patients’ severity, days since the onset of disease, diagnosis confirmation, semen collection method, viral analysis method, and sample numbers.
Conclusions: it was not possible to find strong evidence to confirm the presence or absence of Covid-19 in the semen of adult patients. New studies on the subject should be better designed, taking into account the possible anatomical and functional conditions and changes of the male reproductive system during and after the infection by SARS-CoV-2.
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Copyright (c) 2022 Luís Expedito Sabage, Guilherme Akira Otani, Leandro Tonderys Guidio, Alessandra Mazzo, Victor Augusto Scheirer Leitão, Carlos Ferreira dos Santos, Aguinaldo César Nardi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
