Screening for HIV, hepatitis B and C infection in a population seeking assisted reproduction in an inner London hospital.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority requires all sperm donors to be screened for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B and C and their semen quarantined for six months. No guidelines exist for screening prior to in vitro fertilisation or intracytoplasmic sperm injection. We prospectively analysed the prevalence of these viruses in our patients. Screening detected one case of HIV (0.13%), four of hepatitis C (0.5%) and 14 new cases of hepatitis B (1.7%). The prevalence of hepatitis B and HIV in our antenatal population at this time was 1.4% and 0.8%, respectively. Knowledge allows measures to be taken to reduce the risk of transmission to partner, fetus, new born baby, or by cross-contamination during embryo cryostorage and enables couples to make an informed decision regarding proceeding with treatment. Detection of infection in one partner should no longer preclude fertility treatment.