title: Assisted reproductive technology and obstetric outcome in couples when the male partner has a chronic viral disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Assisted reproductive technology (ART) with washed semen can achieve pregnancy with minimal risk of horizontal and vertical transmission of chronic viral diseases (CVD) such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepati- tis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) among serodiscordant couples. How- ever, few studies have been made of the use made by these couples of ARTs or of the obstetric results achieved.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective study, 93 men who were seropositive for HIV, HCV or HBV and who underwent assisted reproduction treatment at our centre (Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain) were included. Washed semen was tested to detect viral particles. Non-infected women were tested before and after each treatment, as were the neonates at birth and after three months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 62 sperm samples were washed, and none were positive for the detec- tion of viral molecules. Semen samples from 34 HBV positive males were not washed since the female partner had immunity to hepatitis B. In total, 38 clinical pregnancies were achieved (22% per cycle and 40.9% per couple) out of 173 cycles initiated, and 28 births were achieved (16.2% per cycle and 30.1% per couple), producing 34 live births. The rate of multiple pregnancies was 21.4%. Obstetric and neonatal results were similar in the groups of couples studied. At follow-up, no seroconversion was detected in the women or neonates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sperm washing and intracytoplasmic sperm injection are shown to be a safe and effective option for reducing the risk of transmission or super infection in serodiscordant or concordant couples who wish to have a child. Pregnancies ob- tained by ART in couples when the male is CVD infected achieve good obstetric and neonatal results.
authors: Human Reproduction Unit, Clinical Management Unit for Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, Granada Institute for Healthcare Research, Granada, Spain.
authors: Irene
authors: I
authors: Molina
authors: Human Reproduction Unit, Clinical Management Unit for Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, Granada Institute for Healthcare Research, Granada, Spain.
authors: María
authors: M
authors: Carmen Del Gonzalvo
authors: Human Reproduction Unit, Clinical Management Unit for Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, Granada Institute for Healthcare Research, Granada, Spain.
authors: Ana
authors: A
authors: Clavero
authors: Infectious Disease Unit, Internal Medicine Service, Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, Granada, Spain.
authors: Miguel
authors: M
authors: Angel López-Ruz
authors: Human Reproduction Unit, Clinical Management Unit for Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, Granada Institute for Healthcare Research, Granada, Spain.
authors: Juan
authors: J
authors: Mozas
authors: Infectious Disease Unit, Internal Medicine Service, Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, Granada, Spain.
authors: Juan
authors: J
authors: Pasquau
authors: Microbiology Service, Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, Granada, Spain.
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Sampedro
authors: Human Reproduction Unit, Clinical Management Unit for Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, Granada Institute for Healthcare Research, Granada, Spain.
authors: Luis
authors: L
authors: Martínez
authors: Human Reproduction Unit, Clinical Management Unit for Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, Granada Institute for Healthcare Research, Granada, Spain.
authors: José Antonio
authors: JA
authors: Castilla
keywords: HBV; HCV; HIV; Obstetric Labor Complications; Reproductive Techniques