Infections, Infertility, and Assisted Reproduction

ART treatment is vulnerable to the hazard of potential infection from many different sources: patients, samples, staff and the environment. Culture of gametes and embryos in vitro provides multiple targets for transmission of potential infection, including the developing embryo, neighbouring gametes and embryos, the couple undergoing treatment and other couples being treated during the same period. This unique situation, with multifaceted opportunities for microbial growth and transmission, makes infection and contamination control absolutely crucial in the practice of assisted reproduction, and in the laboratory in particular. Originally published in 2004, this practical book provides a basic overview of microbiology in the context of ART, providing a guide to infections in reproductive medicine. The relevant facets of the complex and vast field of microbiology are condensed and focused, highlighting information that is crucial for safe practice in both clinical and laboratory aspects of ART.

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgements
Part I. Overview of Microbiology: 1. Introduction
2. Bacteriology
3. Mycology: moulds and yeasts
4. Virology
5. Prions
6. Parasitology
Part II. Infections in Reproductive Medicine: 7. Genital ulcer disease
8. Vaginitis syndromes
9. Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infections
10. Urethritis and cervicitis syndromes
11. Pathology of the upper genitourinary tract
12. Cytomegalovirus and blood-borne viruses
Part III. Infection and the Assisted Reproductive Laboratory: 13. Infection and contamination control in the ART laboratory
14. Handling of infectious agents in the ART laboratory
15. Prevention: patient screening and the use of donor gametes
Index.