Chikungunya Virus Detection in Semen
ConditionChikungunya Virus Infection
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexMale
Age18-45
SponsorUniversity Hospital, Toulouse
About this trial
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.
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
Patient aged 18 to 45 years.
Patient in the acute phase of CHIKV infection, presenting clinical criteria (known onset of clinical symptoms) that, while not specific, can be highly suggestive in an epidemic area, such as: fever, fatigue, nausea, rash, arthritis/arthralgia, myalgia, headaches, conjunctivitis, and ocular pain.
Detection of Chikungunya virus genome by Reverse Transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in blood or urine.
Patient capable of traveling to the laboratory for sample collection.
Disqualifiers
Patients with an ejaculation disorder, unable to provide a semen sample, or with an abnormal semen volume (<1.5 mL).
Patient with confirmed male infertility.
Patients under judicial protection, guardianship, or curatorship.
Patient already included in another research protocol.
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- semen, blood and urine tests
Treatment groups
15 Participants
are divided into 1 treatment groupSponsors and collaborators
University Hospital, Toulouse
Lead sponsor
Agence de La Biomédecine
Collaborator
Source ClinicalTrials.gov