Tianxu Liu, Yalei Cao, Jiaming Weng, Songzhan Gao, Zirun Jin, Yun Zhang, Yuzhuo Yang, He Zhang, Changyou Xia, Xin Yin, Yong Luo, Qiyu He, Hui Jiang, Lin Wang, ZHe Zhang
Abstract Globally, hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections are prevalent. The finding of high viral loads and persistent viral shedding in ejaculate suggests that HEV replicates within the human male genital tract, but its target organ is unknown and appropriate models are lacking. We aimed to determine the HEV tropism in human testis and its potential influence on male reproductive health. We conducted ex vivo culture of human testis explants and in vitro culture of primary human Sertoli cells. Clinically derived HEV genotype 1 (HEV1) and HEV3 virions, as well as rat derived HEV-C1, were used for inoculation...
March 22, 2024: Emerging Microbes & Infections