Spermwashing technique for safe conception in HIV sero-discordant couples

OBJECTIVE: To assess the success of the sperm washing technique in HIV infected males in order to prevent HIV transmission but at the same time permit conception in the HIV negative female. There aren't any observational studies in the Middle East on this topic, hence the need for this study. DESIGN: A non-randomized trial (quasi-experiment) with sperm washing technique being the intervention and HIV infected males being the target population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 9 sero-discordant couples underwent sperm washing techniques followed by intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The HIV infected males were treated for 6 months prior to the washing technique with anti-retroviral therapy (ARV) until the viral load was undetectable in the blood or semen. Oocytes are retrieved from HIV negative female and a single washed sperm (via density gradient centrifugation) from the HIV positive father is injected into one egg. The embryo is then placed in the woman's uterus. If pregnancy is confirmed the mother is followed up with HIV serology every 3 months and the baby tested for HIV serology as well if mother is reported positive. RESULTS: CONCLUSION: The results obtained to date have shown successful use of the sperm washing technique in HIV infected males to prevent transmission of the virus to the children as well as allowing a normal pregnancy. The study however is still underway and has not been concluded and we are awaiting the results from the current pregnancies in order to form a more comprehensive assessment of this technique.