Infection diagnostics
Before starting fertility treatment, potential risks of infection must be clarified – for both partners as well as (if applicable) for each living donor (according to §4 of the Tissue Collection Facility Ordinance). Screening is carried out before an IVF/ICSI cycle according to the following parameters using the appropriate tests:
- Chlamydia (by PCR test from the urine)
- Hepatitis C (test for hepatitis C antigen, anti-HCV-Ab)
- Hepatitis B (test for the detection of hepatitis B antigens Anti HBc and HBsA). If one of the partners is diagnosed with chronic hepatitis infection, the partner who is not protected should be vaccinated.
- HIV 1 and 2 (by antigen test)
- Syphilis (by LUES/TPHA test)
- Vaginal bacterial swab (only if symptoms of vaginal infection are present)
For patients who have not been vaccinated against rubella and/or varicella (chickenpox) or who have been exposed to them in the past, we recommend the following additional blood test:
- Rubella antibody titer (determination of rubella virus antibody, vaccination protection by RVHHT test). If the titer is low, we recommend that the patient be vaccinated.
- Varicella, i.e. chickenpox (antibody test from the blood). An initial infection with varicella during pregnancy can significantly impair the development of the unborn child, especially in late pregnancy. In the absence of protection, we strongly recommend that patients who wish to have children be vaccinated at least three months before the start of a planned pregnancy.
