Chikungunya Virus Detection in Semen

Overview

Chikungunya is an arboviral disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, present in intertropical zones and Europe. In August 2024, autochthonous cases appeared on Réunion, followed by a large epidemic. In March 2025, the incidence surpassed 2,000 cases per week. Due to a lack of data, the Haut Comité de Santé Publique issued an unfavorable opinion on using substances of human origin during the epidemic. Although the presence of Chikungunya virus genome in semen has been reported in 7 men, the incidence of viral excretion is unknown. This raises concerns about the risk of sexual transmission and infectivity, especially in assisted reproductive technologies. Previous studies on other arboviruses (Zika, dengue) have explored genital excretion. The goal of this prospective pilot study is to investigate Chikungunya virus presence and infectivity in semen, as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of sperm preparation methods in obtaining virus-free gametes. Fifteen patients with acute Chikungunya virus infection will provide blood, urine, and semen samples at different time points (7, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 180 days post-symptom onset). Seminal plasma, native sperm cells, and prepared sperm fractions will be tested for Chikungunya virus RNA at the University Hospital of La Réunion and Toulouse. This study will provide insights into viral excretion patterns and help improve the safety of medically assisted reproduction in epidemic situations.

Chikungunya is an arbovirosis transmitted by mosquitoes of the genus Aedes. These vectors are present in intertropical zones, but have also been present in Europe for several years. The chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a virus of the Alphavirus genus and the Togaviridae family. In mid-August 2024, autochthonous cases of chikungunya appeared on Réunion, followed by a vast epidemic, leading to the activation of a level 3 ORSEC plan, then level 4 in March 2025. At this time, the incidence was over 2,000 cases per week. In the absence of data, and as a precaution, the Haut Comité de Santé Publique issued an unfavourable opinion on the use of substances of human origin during the 2025 epidemic. Epidemics seem to recur in intertropical zones and could emerge in mainland France due to the presence of a vector (Ae. albopictus). At present, only two case studies have reported the presence of the CHIKV genome in the semen of 7 men, but the incidence of positive semen in infected men is unknown. This genital excretion has already been described for other arboviruses belonging to the Flaviviridae family, such as Zika fever and dengue fever. The possibility of detecting the CHIKV genome in semen raises questions about its frequency and kinetics, the infectivity of the virus and the risk of sexual transmission of the virus or during assisted reproductive technologies. It is therefore essential to: 1) understand the kinetics of viral excretion in semen and urine compared with the viremia used to diagnose infection, 2) study the fractions of semen containing viral genomes and 3) investigate possible infectivity (seminal plasma, native sperm cells, spermatozoa). We benefit from the experience of pilot studies carried out under the same conditions on other viruses (HIV, HCV, ZIKV, DENV SARS-CoV-2). The aim of this project, carried out within teams involved in the virus and reproduction theme, is to investigate the presence of the CHIKUNGUNYA virus in sperm (genome and infectivity), to specify its location, and to study the effectiveness of conventional sperm preparation methods in obtaining virus-free gametes. This is a prospective, pilot study involving 15 patients in the acute phase of infection with positive CHIKV RNA detection in blood and/or urine. Blood, urine and semen samples will be taken 7 days after the onset of clinical signs and 15, 30, 60, 90 and 180 days later. In the genital compartment, CHIKV RNA will be tested in seminal plasma, in native sperm cells and in cell fractions obtained after sperm preparation. The semen will be processed at the Reproduction Centre of the University Hospital of La Réunion, and the CHIKV RNA will be tested in the different aliquots in the virology laboratory of the University Hospital of Toulouse. This study will make it possible to determine the frequency of viral excretion in the semen and to determine how this changes during the course of the infection. The study of seminal fractions will make it possible to monitor the efficiency of sperm preparation methods in obtaining virus-free spermatozoa. In addition to the pathophysiological knowledge that this study will provide, the results will help to define the appropriate course of action and improve the viral safety of medically assisted reproduction in epidemic situations and for patients returning from epidemic areas.