Keeping the Zika Virus Out of the Assisted Reproductive Technology Laboratory.
The Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic spreading through South and Central America, as well as several U.S. territories has created worldwide concern as the linkage between ZIKV infection and microcephaly has been established. Both travel associated and sexually transmitted cases have put couples who live in nonendemic areas at risk of falling victim to effects of Zika. The presence of ZIKV within reproductive tissues may pose a significant threat to patients seeking fertility services and to safety of the tissues currently housed in assisted reproductive technology (ART) laboratories. There are still many unanswered questions regarding the mechanism of ZIKV sexual transmission. Just as strict guidelines have been set regarding the screening and handling of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C virus, and hepatitis B virus-positive patient tissues, similar recommendations are needed to prevent contamination and inadvertent transmission within the ART laboratory.
Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
Chantel I
CI
Washington
Division of Reproductive Sciences and Women's Health Research, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
Sara
S
Haque
Division of Reproductive Sciences and Women's Health Research, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
James H
JH
Segars
GENES Fertility Institute, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Nabal
N
Bracero
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, GENES Fertility Institute, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Fernando
F
Rodriguez
Seattle Reproductive Medicine, Seattle, Washington.
G David
GD
Ball
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York.
Owen K
OK
Davis
D000330:Aedes / Q000821:virology; D000818:Animals; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004199:Disease Vectors; D005260:Female; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D008831:Microcephaly / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D060728:Reproductive Health; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000592:standards; D015229:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D014195:Travel; D000071244:Zika Virus / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D000071243:Zika Virus Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology*