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9th Annual Conference Of The British HIV Association [BHIVA]24 – 26 April 2003, University of Manchester
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[AUTHOR(S):] C Gilling-Smith, B Tamberlin, A Cox, G Rozis, JR Smith, S Barton and PA Almeida
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK
BHIVA Conf 2003 Apr 24-26;9:O3
BACKGROUND: HIV-discordant couples where the male partner is HIVpositive have an option to reproduce safely through the technique of sperm washing. Unfortunately, few centres in the UK offer this service and health authority funding remains limited. We have provided a sperm-washing programme since 1999 and report on the safety and efficacy of this service.
METHODS: 53 HIV-1 positive men with seronegative partners have been treated. Following a sexual health and fertility screen on each partner, sperm washing was performed with intrauterine insemination (IUI) if there were no fertility factors or in vitro fertilisation (IVF)/ICSI if a fertility factor was diagnosed.
RESULTS: 38 couples had 94 cycles of IUI and 30 couples had 42 cycles of IVF or ICSI. All sperm samples were verified HIV-1 negative with NASBA assay before treatment. Ongoing pregnancy/live-birth rates per cycle were 10.6% (10/94) for IUI and 23.8% (10/42) for IVF/ICSI. 15 healthy children have been born with no seroconversions in either female partner or child on rigorous follow-up. Eight couples had satellite arrangements for investigations and scanning. Only five couples received NHS funding and over 40% of patients referred did not proceed to treatment for financial reasons.
CONCLUSIONS: Sperm washing in a specialist centre is safe and effective as a risk-reduction treatment. Lack of NHS funding for this service may force couples to consider unprotected intercourse. Health Authorities must address this issue.
PRESENTING AUTHOR: C Gilling-Smith
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Copyright © 2003 - British HIV Association (BHIVA) Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the BHIVA Organising Secretariat 1 Mountview Court, 310 Friern Barnet Lane, London N20 0LD