Effect of Hepatitis E Virus on the Male Reproductive System: A Review of Current Evidence
Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) is a globally widespread pathogen that causes acute hepatitis infection. Beyond hepatic pathogenesis, HEV has been proven to cause several extrahepatic manifestations, such as neurological, renal, and hematological manifestations. It was also associated with mortality in preg...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Ahmed A. Kotb Mohamed A. El-Mokhtar Ibrahim M. Sayed |
| author_facet | Ahmed A. Kotb Mohamed A. El-Mokhtar Ibrahim M. Sayed |
| author_sort | Ahmed A. Kotb |
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| description | Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) is a globally widespread pathogen that causes acute hepatitis infection. Beyond hepatic pathogenesis, HEV has been proven to cause several extrahepatic manifestations, such as neurological, renal, and hematological manifestations. It was also associated with mortality in pregnant females. Several studies have investigated the impact of HEV on the male reproductive system; however, the available data are limited and conflicting. Assessment of the patients’ ejaculates/semen samples revealed that HEV particles are excreted in these fluids in cases of chronic infection but not acute infection. The excreted HEV particles are infectious to in vivo animal models and in vitro cell culture. However, the effect of HEV infection on male infertility is not confirmed. One study including human samples showed male infertility associated with HEV genotype 4 infection. Studies of HEV infection in animal models such as pigs, gerbils, and mice showed that HEV infection caused distortion on the testes, damage of the blood–testis barrier, and induction of inflammatory responses leading to abnormalities in the sperm. The excretion of HEV in the semen fluids raises concerns about HEV transmission via sexual transmission. However, all available data do not confirm the transmission of HEV through sexual intercourse. This review aims to summarize and critically assess the available studies investigating the influence of different HEV genotypes on the male reproductive system, providing insights into whether HEV contributes to reproductive impairment in men. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-175a7aa373a64891b3db6d1cc78d71b2 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1999-4915 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Viruses |
| spelling | doaj-art-175a7aa373a64891b3db6d1cc78d71b22025-01-24T13:52:27ZengMDPI AGViruses1999-49152025-01-011716610.3390/v17010066Effect of Hepatitis E Virus on the Male Reproductive System: A Review of Current EvidenceAhmed A. Kotb0Mohamed A. El-Mokhtar1Ibrahim M. Sayed2Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, EgyptGilbert & Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Byblos P.O. Box 36, LebanonDepartment of Biomedical & Nutritional Sciences, Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USAHepatitis E Virus (HEV) is a globally widespread pathogen that causes acute hepatitis infection. Beyond hepatic pathogenesis, HEV has been proven to cause several extrahepatic manifestations, such as neurological, renal, and hematological manifestations. It was also associated with mortality in pregnant females. Several studies have investigated the impact of HEV on the male reproductive system; however, the available data are limited and conflicting. Assessment of the patients’ ejaculates/semen samples revealed that HEV particles are excreted in these fluids in cases of chronic infection but not acute infection. The excreted HEV particles are infectious to in vivo animal models and in vitro cell culture. However, the effect of HEV infection on male infertility is not confirmed. One study including human samples showed male infertility associated with HEV genotype 4 infection. Studies of HEV infection in animal models such as pigs, gerbils, and mice showed that HEV infection caused distortion on the testes, damage of the blood–testis barrier, and induction of inflammatory responses leading to abnormalities in the sperm. The excretion of HEV in the semen fluids raises concerns about HEV transmission via sexual transmission. However, all available data do not confirm the transmission of HEV through sexual intercourse. This review aims to summarize and critically assess the available studies investigating the influence of different HEV genotypes on the male reproductive system, providing insights into whether HEV contributes to reproductive impairment in men.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/1/66Hepatitis E virusextrahepatic manifestationsmale reproductive systemsemenmale infertilitytesticular tissues |
| spellingShingle | Ahmed A. Kotb Mohamed A. El-Mokhtar Ibrahim M. Sayed Effect of Hepatitis E Virus on the Male Reproductive System: A Review of Current Evidence Viruses Hepatitis E virus extrahepatic manifestations male reproductive system semen male infertility testicular tissues |
| title | Effect of Hepatitis E Virus on the Male Reproductive System: A Review of Current Evidence |
| title_full | Effect of Hepatitis E Virus on the Male Reproductive System: A Review of Current Evidence |
| title_fullStr | Effect of Hepatitis E Virus on the Male Reproductive System: A Review of Current Evidence |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effect of Hepatitis E Virus on the Male Reproductive System: A Review of Current Evidence |
| title_short | Effect of Hepatitis E Virus on the Male Reproductive System: A Review of Current Evidence |
| title_sort | effect of hepatitis e virus on the male reproductive system a review of current evidence |
| topic | Hepatitis E virus extrahepatic manifestations male reproductive system semen male infertility testicular tissues |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/1/66 |
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