Absence of HHV-8 in Prostate and Semen

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Abstract
Monini et al. (May 2 issue)1 reported very high rates of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) detection by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in semen from patients undergoing surgery for varicocele who were negative for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The viral sequences were detected mainly in the nonspermatic fraction of semen and in specimens from prostate-gland biopsies, suggesting that the latter may be a site of latent or persistent virus in the infected host and that the sexual route is potentially implicated in the transmission of HHV-8. Monini et al. conclude that HHV-8 infection is ubiquitous, since it is present so often in semen from healthy Italian men.