Report on viral infections in ART

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are widespread infectious agents. In developed countries, effective therapies have turned potentially lethal HCV, HBV and HIV infections into chronic diseases with a good quality of life, also in terms of reproductive chances. Serodiscordant status is the condition in which only one partner is HIV, HBV and/or HCV positive. In fertile serodiscordant couples, natural conception should be encouraged following specific prophylactic strategies, while infertile serodiscordant couples should be referred for treatment performed using assisted reproduction technology (ART). ART centers working with serodiscordant couples must set up an internal management and control system to guarantee the safety of operators, uninfected patients, gametes and embryos, and also of the fetus, especially during the cryopreservation step. Herein we summarize general features of HIV, HBV and HCV infection, their possible impact on human reproduction, and laboratory recommendations to achieve safe management of serodiscordant couples seeking pregnancy through ART. KEY WORDS: Viral infections, HBV, HCV, HIV, contamination.