Homepage  /  Books

 (14)

Infections, Infertility and Assisted Reproduction

Kay Elder, Doris Baker, Julie Ribes

Visitors Reviews | Add to Favorites | Refer to Friends

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, neighboring 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. This unique and practical book provides a basic overview of microbiology in the context of ART, providing an up-to-date 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.

Preface

The world of microbes is intrinsically fascinating. Microbes are abundant in every place on earth where larger living creatures exist, and they can also thrive in habitat extremes where no other kind of organism can survive for long: from deep under the sea to the stratosphere - up to 32 Km in the atmosphere, in oil formations and in hot telluric water. It is estimated that the total biomass of microbes probably exceeds that of all the plants and animals in the biosphere. This biomass is predominantly composed of bacteria, and these microorganisms play a crucial role in recycling much of the organic material in the biosphere. Despite their minute size, microorganisms carry out all the fundamental processes of biochemistry and molecular biology that are essential to the survival of every living species. Although their size may give them the illusion of being ?primitive?, their range of biochemical and biophysical capabilities is far wider than that of higher organisms. One of their most important properties is adaptability and versatility, a key feature in their long history of evolution. Fossil records suggest that at least some members of the microbial world, oxygen-producing cyanobacter-like organisms, had evolved 3.46 billion years ago (J.W.Schopf, 1993); a viable fungus, Absidia corymbifera, was recovered from the right boot that accompanied the frozen, well-preserved prehistoric corpse, ?Ice Man?, aged approximately 5,300 years (Haselwandter &. Ebner, 1994).

Records of microbial disease that probably influenced the course of history can be found in archaeological sites of early civilizations, as well as in later periods of history. A hieroglyph from the capital of ancient Egypt dated approximately 3700 BC illustrates a priest (Ruma) with typical clinical signs of a viral infection, paralytic poliomyelitis. The mummified body of the Pharaoh Siptah, who died in 1193 BC also shows signs of classic paralytic poliomyelitis, and the preserved mummy of Rameses V has facial pustular lesions suggesting that his death in 1143 BC was probably due to smallpox. This virulent disease was endemic in China by 1000 BC, and had reached Europe by 710 A.D. Hernando Cortez transferred the disease to the Americas in 1520, and it appears that around 3,500,000 Aztecs died of smallpox within the next two years ? arguably precipitating the end of the Aztec empire.

In the early 1330?s an outbreak of deadly Bubonic plague occurred in China, one of the busiest of the world?s trading nations, and rapidly spread to Western Asia and Europe. Between 1347 and 1352 this plague, ?The Black Death?, killed 25 million people - one-third of the population of Europe - with far-reaching social, cultural and economic repercussions.


The world of assisted reproduction is equally fascinating, and is one that also has a long history of evolution. The concept of assisted procreation by human artificial insemination was a topic of discussion between Jewish philosophers as early as the 3rd century AD, and tales exist of 14th century Arab horse breeders obtaining sperm from mated mares belonging to rival groups, using the sperm to inseminate their own mares. Assisted reproduction explores the fundamental principles behind the creation of a new life, the intricate biological mechanisms that are involved when mature gametes come into contact, combine genetically and set in motion a cascade of events leading to the correct expression of genes that form a new individual.


Microbiology and assisted reproduction both deal with a miniature world, magnified for observation with the help of microscopy. Culture of microorganisms and of preimplantation embryos in vitro requires special media and growth conditions to promote cell division, and both are visualized and assessed at various stages following cell division. A knowledge of microbiology is fundamental to the safety and success of assisted reproductive techniques - but the field of microbiology is vast, and continues to increase in complexity with the discovery of new organisms and implementation of new medical treatments. The field of assisted reproductive technology also continues to expand and develop, particularly in areas of science and biotechnology. Members of an assisted reproduction team are not usually also experts in infectious diseases, and may find it difficult to identify and follow significant areas of microbiology that can impact upon their practice.


The purpose of this book is to select areas and topics in microbiology that are specifically relevant to assisted reproductive technology, in order to provide a very basic background of facts and fundamental principles. A background of understanding can help prevent contamination and transmission of disease in ART, and also limit the opportunities for microbial survival in embryo culture and cryopreservation systems. The book is divided into three Units:


Unit I provides an outline of microorganism classification and identification, as a foundation for understanding the relationships and the differences between the types of organisms that may be encountered in routine ART practice. The microorganisms that are human pathogens or resident flora, and those that are routinely found in the environment are introduced. Each chapter includes an Appendix of antimicrobial drugs and their modes of action.



Unit II details organisms that cause disease of the reproductive tract and those that are blood-borne pathogens, describing their etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, pathology and treatment.


Unit III describes the practical application of microbiology principles within an assisted reproduction laboratory.


Additional photos
Customer Reviews (1)
write a review
Deborah J. Anderson, PhD   26 February 2008

Book reviewed by Deborah J. Anderson, PhD, Professor and Director of the Division of Reproductive Biology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Boston University School of Medicine; Lecturer, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. Type of Book: Three authors, 15 chapters with references, glossaries, appendices, and recommendations for further reading. Scope of Book: This book provides a comprehensive review of micro- biology, the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of infections of the reproductive tissues, and recommendations for dealing with infections and contamination in the ART laboratory. Contents: In the introductory chapter, the authors present charming his- tories of microbiology and assisted reproduction. This is followed by a concise over view of microbiology, which provides an excellent reference for those seeking basic information on the characteristics of various species of bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and prions. The next section focuses on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of infections in the reproductive organs, and contains chapters on genital ulcer diseases, vaginitis syndromes, papillomavirus infections, urethritis and cervicitis syndromes, upper-tract infections, and blood-borne viruses. The last section covers topical issues concerning infection in the ART laboratory, including infection and contamination control, handling infectious specimens, and patient and donor screening. Strengths: In the field of assisted reproductive technology, appropriate handling of contamination and infectious diseases can be a matter of life and death. This book provides critical tools for understanding, preventing, and dealing with infections in the ART laboratory. I am not aware of any other single source that provides such a comprehensive over view of this complex, multifaceted topic. The material is well organized, detailed, and clearly presented; numerous figures convey important concepts, and tables are used to present detailed information and summaries while not distracting from the readability of the text. Weaknesses: There are no significant weaknesses, although I found myself wanting more details on several topics, including molecular diagnosis of infections, vaccine development, and preventing infection in virally discordant couples. Each of these topics is worthy of books in their own right, and the authors handily direct us to further reading on these and other topics. Recommended Readership: Embryology and andrology laboratory directors and laboratory staff, medical and biology students, clinicians and nurse professionals who are integral members of the ART team. Overall Grading: 5-star


Join Our Newsletter - Don't Miss Anything!!!

Stay in touch with the latest news by subscribing to our regular email newsletters