Presence of HBV DNA in spermatozoa: a possible vertical transmission of HBV via the germ line.

Using molecular hybridization we studied the presence and state of HBV DNA in sperm samples obtained from 17 patients with HBV infection (eight HBsAg chronic carrier, nine acute hepatitis B). Presence of HBV DNA was detected in three samples of seminal fluid from three patients with acute hepatitis. Restriction enzyme patterns of cellular DNA were consistent with presence of integrated HBV DNA sequences in spermatozoa from two of these three patients. The results indicate that HBV DNA may be present in the semen, at least during the acute phase of HBV infection. The presence of HBV DNA in seminal fluid confirms the possibility of venereal transmission. The presence of integrated sequences in spermatozoa suggests the possibility of true vertical transmission of HBV via the germ line.