Research suggests HIV-sperm link

Sperm may play a part in the transmission of HIV, a new study has claimed.

Research by scientists at the University of Buenos Aires suggested that is not only semen that carries the infection, as had previously been believed.

The study, which will appear in November's issue of the Journal of Experimental Medicine, claimed that sperm attaches itself to HIV carriers.

The infection is then transferred to dendritic cells, which mature after them have come into contact with sperm.

Researchers suggested that the combination of the dendritic cells and the tolerating-promoting cytokines that they produce could help the spread of the virus.

However, the new findings have been refuted by Dr Stephen Taylor, a leading HIV specialist based at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital.

He told the Press Association: "The argument over whether sperm is a major factor is a long-standing debate which was very much put to bed, probably about ten years ago."

Recently, experts met in Paris to discuss new innovations in the field of HIV and Aids vaccines.

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