Hepatitis B virus infection status and infertility causes in couples seeking fertility treatment-Indicator of impaired immune response?

PROBLEM: The relationship between hepatitis B (HBV) infection in infertile couples seeking in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment and infertility causes is unknown.

METHODS OF STUDY: A total of 831 infertile couples attending our unit seeking IVF during January to December 2015 were recruited.

RESULTS

HBV infection was found in 6.3% and 7.3% of female and male partners, respectively, and infection in one or both partners was associated with less primary infertility (44.2% vs 55.1%, P=.038). Infected female partners had increased tubal (69.2% vs 43.2%, P<.001) and uterine (13.7% vs 3.1%, P<.001) causes and reduced idiopathic infertility, while infected male partners were associated with increased tubal (62.3% vs 43.4%, P=.004) causes and reduced endometriosis (62.3% vs 73.9%, P=.050).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest HBV infection in either partner was associated with tubal infertility. HBV infection in either partner probably increases the risk of pelvic infection in female partner through impaired immune response to sexually transmitted infections, with consequent tubal damage and infertility.