The influence of contamination of culture medium with hepatitis B virus on the outcome of in vitro fertilization pregnancies

TitleThe influence of contamination of culture medium with hepatitis B virus on the outcome of in vitro fertilization pregnancies
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1991
Authorsvan Os HC, Drogendijk AC, Fetter WP, Heijtink RA, Zeilmaker GH
JournalAm J Obstet Gynecol
Volume165
Issue1
Pagination152 - 9
Date PublishedJul
ISSN0002-9378 (Print) 0002-9378 (Linking)
Accession Number1853893
Keywords*Culture Media, *Fertilization in Vitro, *Pregnancy Outcome, Adult, Blood / *microbiology, Cerebral Ventricles / abnormalities, Delivery, Obstetric, Female, Fetal Blood / immunology, Hepatitis B / microbiology / therapy, Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / analysis, Hepatitis B virus / *isolation & purification, Humans, Immunotherapy, Pregnancy, Pregnancy, Multiple, Prenatal Diagnosis
Abstract

Heat-inactivated human serum is added to the culture medium used for in vitro fertilization and other forms of assisted conception. Because one batch of pooled serum contained hepatitis B virus, an epidemic occurred among women participating in the treatment program. Seventy-nine women had serologic proof of hepatitis B infection. This incident gave the opportunity to study the effect of hepatitis B virus on pregnancy outcome and the newborn. The situation is unique because the preimplantation embryo was exposed to hepatitis B virus or the pregnancy was complicated by a (sub)clinical infection. Twenty-four women were or became pregnant while having an acute hepatitis B infection. Five pregnancies ended in abortion. The remaining 19 pregnancies ended in the birth of 24 children. No evidence for any harmful effect of exposure to hepatitis B virus in the embryonic or fetal period on the newborn could be found.

DOI
Notify Library Reference ID1580