Research Projects

Infertility affects around 48 million people worldwide and can be caused by various infectious and non-infectious factors. Non-infectious factors include social, genetic, endocrine, and lifestyle habits. Infertility can also be induced by multiple infections caused by bacteria, protozoan parasites, and viruses like HIV, HsV, and HHV-6. A WHO multinational study found that female infertility is seen in 35% of cases in infertile couples. HHV-6, a double-stranded DNA virus, has been identified as a potential cause of infertility. HHV-6A, a double-stranded DNA virus, has been found in 43% of endometrial biopsies of primary infertile women and 0% in fertile women. It has also been found in endometrial biopsy samples of women suffering from spontaneous abortions and recurrent implantation failure. The virus changes the immune profile of infertile women, making the endometrium less permissible for implantation. It also changes the host's miRNA expression, leading to increased implantation failure and preeclampsia. There may be a significant correlation between HHV-6 and infertility. This study aims to discuss the presence of HHV-6 in infertile women and its role in modulating miRNA expression and immune profile.