Screening of hepatitis B and C and human immunodeficiency virus in infertile couples in Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in a group of infertile couples attending a tertiary care facility in Saudi Arabia.

METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional observational study was performed by reviewing medical records of 500 couples referred to the Reproductive Endocrine and Infertility Medicine Department of the Women's Specialized Hospital at King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between January 2006 and December 2008. All patients were screened for HBV markers (hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B surface antibody, hepatitis B core antibody, hepatitis Be antigen), anti-HCV, anti-HIV types I and II using enzyme linked immunoassay technique.

RESULTS: The overall prevalence of HBV in the population studied was 1.8% (n=17). For females HBV prevalence was 1.5% (n=7), and for males it was 2.1% (n=10). Overall HCV prevalence in this group was 0.5%. All females were negative for HCV, while males had a prevalence of 1.1% (n=5). All males and females were negative for HIV.

CONCLUSION: We found a high prevalence for HBV and HCV in a group of Saudi infertile population. The HIV prevalence was found to be 0%. Due to the risks of cross sectional and vertical transmission of these infections, and despite the low incidence of HIV infection and the cost implications, it is important to screen all Saudi infertile couples for these infections prior to embarking on fertility treatments.