ESHRE guideline: medically assisted reproduction in patients with a viral infection/disease.

STUDY QUESTION: What is the recommended management for medically assisted reproduction (MAR) in patients with a viral infection or disease, based on the best available evidence in the literature? SUMMARY ANSWER: The ESHRE guideline on MAR in patients with a viral infection/disease makes 78 recommendations on prevention of horizontal and vertical transmission before, during and after MAR, and the impact on its outcomes, and these also include recommendations regarding laboratory safety on the processing and storage of gametes and embryos testing positive for viral infections. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: The development of new and improved anti-viral medications has resulted in improved life expectancy and quality of life for patients with viral infections/diseases. Patients of reproductive age are increasingly exploring their options for family creation. STUDY DESIGN SIZE DURATION: The guideline was developed according to the structured methodology for the development of ESHRE guidelines. After the formulation of nine key questions for six viruses (hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus, human papilloma virus, human T-lymphotropic virus I/II and Zika virus) by a group of experts, literature searches and assessments were performed. Papers published up to 2 November 2020 and written in English were included in the review. Evidence was analyzed by female, male or couple testing positive for the virus. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS SETTING METHODS: Based on the collected evidence, recommendations were formulated and discussed until consensus was reached within the guideline group. There were 61 key questions to be answered by the guideline development group (GDG), of which 12 were answered as narrative questions and 49 as PICO (Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) questions. A stakeholder review was organized after the finalization of the draft. The final version was approved by the GDG and the ESHRE Executive Committee. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: This guideline aims to help providers meet a growing demand for guidance on the management of patients with a viral infection/disease presenting in the fertility clinic.The guideline makes 78 recommendations on prevention of viral transmission before and during MAR, and interventions to reduce/avoid vertical transmission to the newborn. Preferred MAR treatments and interventions are described together with the effect of viral infections on outcomes. The GDG formulated 44 evidence-based recommendations-of which 37 were formulated as strong recommendations and 7 as weak-33 good practice points (GPP) and one research only recommendation. Of the evidence-based recommendations, none were supported by high-quality evidence, two by moderate-quality evidence, 15 by low-quality evidence and 27 by very low-quality evidence. To support future research in the field of MAR in patients with a viral infection/disease, a list of research recommendations is provided. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION: Most interventions included are not well-studied in patients with a viral infection/disease. For a large proportion of interventions, evidence was very limited and of very low quality. More evidence is required for these interventions, especially in the field of human papilloma virus (HPV). Such future studies may require the current recommendations to be revised. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: The guideline provides clinicians with clear advice on best practice in MAR for patients with a viral infection/disease, based on the best evidence currently available. In addition, a list of research recommendations is provided to stimulate further studies in the field. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: The guideline was developed and funded by ESHRE, covering expenses associated with the guideline meetings, with the literature searches and with the dissemination of the guideline. The guideline group members did not receive any financial incentives, all work was provided voluntarily. A.D. reports research fees from Ferring and Merck, consulting fees from Ferring, outside the submitted work. C.P. reports speakers fees from Merck and MSD outside the submitted work. K.T. reports speakers fees from Cooper Surgical and Ferring and consultancy fees as member of the advisory board BioTeam of Ferring, outside the submitted work. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. DISCLAIMER: This guideline represents the views of ESHRE, which were achieved after careful consideration of the scientific evidence available at the time of preparation. In the absence of scientific evidence on certain aspects, a consensus between the relevant ESHRE stakeholders has been obtained. Adherence to these clinical practice guidelines does not guarantee a successful or specific outcome, nor does it establish a standard of care. Clinical practice guidelines do not replace the need for application of clinical judgment to each individual presentation, nor variations based on locality and facility type. ESHRE makes no warranty, express or implied, regarding the clinical practice guidelines and specifically excludes any warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular use or purpose. (Full disclaimer available at  www.eshre.eu/guidelines.).

Cumulus cells have longer telomeres than leukocytes in reproductive-age women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether telomere length (TL) in granulosa cells (GC) or cumulus cells (CC) correlates with TL in leukocytes (L). DESIGN: Prospective noninterventional study. SETTING: Private assisted reproductive technology center. PATIENT(S): Thirty-five egg donors were included in the study. INTERVENTIONS(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Average relative leukocyte telomere length (LTL), cumulus cell telomere length (CCTL), and granulosa cell telomere length (GCTL) measurements from each study subject. RESULT(S): Participants had a mean age of 25.43 ± 4.57 years, antimüllerian hormone level of 1.90 ± 0.92 ng/mL, antral follicle count of 23.29 ± 5.11, and the mean number of mature oocytes retrieved was 23.29 ± 9.13. No significant association between these variables and GCTL, CCTL, or LTL was found. In addition, no correlation was observed between TL measurements of L vs. CC, L vs. GC, or CC vs. GC. Interestingly, CCTL was significantly higher than LTL (1.54-fold), although no significant differences were found between GCTL vs. CCTL or GCTL vs. LTL. CONCLUSION(S): CC from mature follicles have significantly longer telomeres than L, suggesting that the follicular environment could possess different mechanisms to cope against telomere shortening compared with other somatic tissues. Furthermore, these data do not support the utility of telomere DNA measurement in L as an estimate of TL in follicular cells.

Mucormicosis gástrica en paciente diabética con trasplante hepático: presentación de 1 caso / Gastric mucormycosis in a female diabetic patient with liver transplant: a case report

Se presentó un caso de mucormicosis gástrica en una serie de 18 pacientes que han recibido trasplante hepático en un período de 2 años en este centro. Se trató de una paciente diabética tipo 2 de 57 años, con cirrosis hepática alcohólica estadio C de Child-Pugh. Se le realizó trasplante ortotópico de hígado sin complicaciones y se utilizó esquema inmunosupresor con prednisona, ciclosporina y azatioprina. Evolutivamente, se presentó episodio neurológico de excitación y después sepsis respiratoria por Acinetobacter sp y Pseudomona sp que llevaron al distrés y, posteriormente, al fallo múltiple de órganos, además de sangrado digestivo alto a los 6 d de evolución. La paciente falleció a los 13 d del trasplante. En la necropsia se encontraron hifas de Mucor en tejidos gástricos. Se realizó diagnóstico post mortem, en una paciente con factores predisponentes como diabetes mellitus, tratamiento inmunosupresor, y sepsis bacteriana asociada. Se corroboró que es el único caso de mucormicosis gástrica reportado entre 5 772 necropsias realizadas en este centro(AU)

Mucormicosis gástrica en paciente diabética con trasplante hepático: presentación de 1 caso / Gastric mucormycosis in a female diabetic patient with liver transplant: a case report

Se presentó un caso de mucormicosis gástrica en una serie de 18 pacientes que han recibido trasplante hepático en un período de 2 años en este centro. Se trató de una paciente diabética tipo 2 de 57 años, con cirrosis hepática alcohólica estadio C de Child-Pugh. Se le realizó trasplante ortotópico de hígado sin complicaciones y se utilizó esquema inmunosupresor con prednisona, ciclosporina y azatioprina. Evolutivamente, se presentó episodio neurológico de excitación y después sepsis respiratoria por Acinetobacter sp y Pseudomona sp que llevaron al distrés y, posteriormente, al fallo múltiple de órganos, además de sangrado digestivo alto a los 6 d de evolución. La paciente falleció a los 13 d del trasplante. En la necropsia se encontraron hifas de Mucor en tejidos gástricos. Se realizó diagnóstico post mortem, en una paciente con factores predisponentes como diabetes mellitus, tratamiento inmunosupresor, y sepsis bacteriana asociada. Se corroboró que es el único caso de mucormicosis gástrica reportado entre 5 772 necropsias realizadas en este centro

[Hepatic retransplant and acute Budd Chiari syndrome. Case report]. / Retrasplante hepático y síndrome de Budd Chiari agudo. Presentación de un caso.

Hepatic retransplant constitutes 10-20% of all orthotopic hepatic transplants. The piggy-back technique was used in hepatectomy with conservation of the retrohepatic vena cava. A side-to-side cavo-cavostomy technique is described in the case of hepatic congestion or acute Budd Chiari syndrome post-transplant. This is an extremely serious condition and can result in death. We present the first case of hepatic retransplant performed in Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras in a patient who received who received his first transplant due to non-resectable hepatocarcinoma and who required retransplant due to acute rejection and graft dysfunction. During retransplant, the Belghiti side-to-side anastomosis technique was used to resolve the acute Budd Chiari syndrome that presented itself. Post-surgical evolution at 18 months was satisfactory without evidence of complications of the graft. Acute Budd Chiari syndrome post-transplant can satisfactorily be resolved with the Belghiti technique, although it is preferable to take prophylactic measures to avoid it.