Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in follicular and endocervical fluid of IVF candidates with positive PCR tests

Introduction & Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic is a unique global challenge with a wide range of severity extending from an asymptomatic form to a serious intense respiratory syndrome We have restarted the ART treatments in cases that need emergent IVF treatment according to the international and local guidelines This study aimed to evaluate the presence of viruses in follicular and endocervical fluid in patients with a positive PCR tests provided on the day of the oocyte trigger Method: All participants and their partners, who were a candidate to start ART from April 2020 to October 2020, completed a triage questionnaire two weeks before starting the ART cycle A PCR test was performed for all participants before starting the cycle According to Avicenna center protocol, a diagnostic test (real-time PCR) by Dacron swap and Pishtazteb kit The nasopharynx test for COVID-19 was conducted for all ART patients 48 hours before the day of the oocyte trigger PCR test was positive in 32 women In the operating theater, sterile swabs were used to provide cervicovaginal specimens to determine COVID 19 virus in cervicovaginal fluid Also, the first aspirated follicular fluid was referred to the lab to assess the presence of COVID 19 Result: In this study, virus particles were not detected in the follicular and endocervical fluid of the women with positive PCR tests Case presentation: We describe 32 patients who were candidates for IVF, with approved positive COVID-19 PCR tests to evaluate whether the virus is present in the follicular and endocervical fluid or not? Discussion: We are still at the beginning of the road and need reliable data on the safety of the ART at the time of pandemic The risk of infection during all process of ART including oocyte retrieval needs attention The fluids from mature follicles are a potential site to be infected and the human cumulus cells could not be a deterrent factor to entrance of the virus in the oocyte This process may lead to gametes infection Indeed in real life evaluating the risk of sexual transmission of COVID-19 is very important Conclusion: We did not detect virus RNA in the follicular and endocervical fluid of the patients with positive PCR test Although, more studies with a greater sample size are mandatory in this field © 2020 Ubiquity Press All rights reserved