Human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection in an infertile population.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) in an infertile population.


METHODS
The study design included a retrospective anonymous survey of clinical data and screening for HIV-1 antibody by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) in stored sera. Samples that were ELISA-positive were further tested by Western blot assay. Frequency distributions were analyzed by Fisher's exact test.


METHODS
University tertiary care center.


METHODS
Based on availability of stored frozen sera, the total study population included 182 of 304 consecutively registered infertile couples.


RESULTS
Seventy-five percent of the study population were found to have one or more risk factors for HIV infection. Of the 252 sera tested, 10 were repeatedly reactive by ELISA, and Western blot testing confirmed HIV-1 infection in one woman and two men.


CONCLUSIONS
This relatively high HIV-1 seroprevalence (male: 2.6%; female: 0.6%) in a low-middle class infertile population emphasizes the urgent need to implement on-site HIV-infection counseling aimed at preventing the spread of disease to the healthy partner and fetus and to discuss therapeutic and reproductive options.
Bray
M A
MA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State University of New York, Brooklyn 11203.
Soltes
B
B
Clarke
L
L
Minkoff
H
H
Sierra
M P
MP
Reyes
F I
FI
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D015483:HIV Antibodies