[Assisted reproductive techniques in the context of HIV: the infectiologist's point of view]

Assisted reproductive techniques (ART) in the context of HIV has been possible in France out of research studies since 2001 for couples with one or both partners HIV infected. Couples should fulfil general criteria allowing access to ART and also specific criteria related to the HIV infection and adherence to measures for reduction of viral transmission either to their partner and the child expected. This management is multidisciplinary and brings together gynecologists, obstetricians, reproduction biologists, psychologists or specialized psychiatrists, HIV and hepatitis specialists, virologists and their teams. The patient's assessment should be comprehensive to allow decisions and to answer to the couples' queries in a reasonable delay. The infectious diseases specialist role is multiple: to inform patients according to the HIV disposition for individuals and for the couple, to remind HIV infected women that there are conditions required to reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and that the risk remains even if it is very low with specific treatment. For infected men the processing of semen will require at least two tests. The specialist will evaluate the HIV infection progression, the necessity for antiretroviral therapy initiation or modification. Sometimes therapeutic management avoids exclusion of the couple from ART program for immunovirological parameters. Then according to these evaluations the infectious diseases specialist would share his conclusions with the ART specialists allowing them to adapt their decisions of care to the couple fertility situation without fear or constraints related to HIV.