Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Corresponding author and request for reprints: Susan M. Genitourinary tract samples are required to investigate male HIV-1 infectivity. HIVseropositive men were evaluated after 48 hours of sexual abstinence. Participants provided semen specimens one week later. An audio computer-assisted self-interview ACASI administered after each specimen collection evaluated acceptability, adherence to instructions, and recent genitourinary symptoms.
Concordance of results at repeat visits was Sex partners of seropositive men acquire HIV-1 infection via direct contact with semen. Therefore, alternative sampling methods are needed to define the determinants of male HIV-1 shedding and to improve strategies to reduce transmission.
Optimal methods to sample the male genital tract remain unclear, especially for prospective studies requiring regular specimen collections. HIVseropositive Kenyan men were recruited from a high-risk cohort.
Blood was collected for CD4 count and plasma viral load testing. A standardized examination was performed, including urethral swab collection. After the examination, a male or female clinician performed prostatic massage until expressed prostatic secretions EPS were visualized at the urethral meatus or for up to 5 minutes. As recommended by Price et al , 9 participants could provide semen in clinic or at home. Participants were instructed to submit specimens to the laboratory within 2 hours of ejaculation.
Participants completed an audio computer-assisted self-interview ACASI in Kiswahili after each sample collection to evaluate acceptability, comfort, adherence to the prescribed abstinence period, and genitourinary symptoms in the past week. Supernatant aliquots were transferred into labelled 1. Semen was processed immediately after submission.
