Yeast infection of sperm, oocytes and embryos after intravaginal culture for embryo transfer.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of an embryo culture infected with Candida albicans after intravaginal culture.


METHODS
Case report.


METHODS
Private infertility practice and university medical center.


METHODS
A couple with tubal and male factor infertility.


METHODS
Superovulation, oocyte recovery, Percoll sperm preparation, and intravaginal culture of sperm and oocytes in a tissue culture tube.


METHODS
Yeast infection of sperm, oocyte, and embryo culture.


RESULTS
Candida albicans infection occurred in the sperm, oocyte, and embryo culture when cultured in a sealed tube in the vagina. Candida albicans also was found in the prepared sperm suspension culture in a separate tube kept in a 37 degrees C incubator.


CONCLUSIONS
Infection of the embryo culture with C. albicans probably occurred when contaminated sperm was added at the time of insemination. Sperm preparation by the Percoll gradient centrifugation failed to eliminate C. albicans in the semen.
Mahadevan
M M
MM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
Batres
F
F
Miller
M M
MM
Moutos
D M
DM
D000328:Adult; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient / Q000379:methods; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007315:Insemination, Artificial / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009865:Oocytes / Q000382:microbiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000382:microbiology*; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology