The scientific journal Asian Journal of Andrology has chosen the study "Viral infections and implications for male reproductive health", authored by professors and scientists from FMUSP, as the best paper of 2022.

Many viruses can infect the reproductive tract, with potential adverse consequences for male reproductive health, including infertility and cancer. In addition, some viral infections of the genital tract can be sexually transmitted, potentially affecting the health of the resulting offspring, explains Prof. Jorge Hallak, from the Department of Pathology at FMUSP and the Urology Division of HCFMUSP.

The study presents an overview of the evidence regarding the presence and adverse effects of relevant viruses in the male reproductive tract (mumps virus, immunodeficiency virus, herpes virus, human papillomavirus, hepatitis B and C virus, Ebola virus, Zika virus, influenza virus, and coronavirus), their routes of infection, target organs and cells, prevalence and pattern of virus dissemination in semen, as well as diagnostic, testing, and treatment strategies.

All of these viruses are the subject of study by the Urology group and the Department of Pathology at FMUSP. "We are entering a new era by bringing together Andrology and infectious diseases, whose interaction has been shown to be crucial in this new century," adds Prof. Jorge Hallak.

Understanding the pathophysiology in the male genital tract is essential to evaluate its clinical impact on male reproductive health and guide future research.

The study, authored by Jorge Hallak, Thiago A. Teixeira, Yasmin C. Oliveira, Felipe S. Bernardes, Esper G. Kallas, Amaro N. Duarte, Sandro C. Esteves, and Joël R. Drevet, can be read at this link: Viral infections and implications for male reproductive health - PubMed (nih.gov)