Birth of a healthy infant after preimplantation genetic diagnosis by sequential blastomere and trophectoderm biopsy for β-thalassemia and HLA genotyping

BackgroundPreimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is a widely used technique for couples at genetic risk and involves the diagnosis and transfer of unaffected embryos generated through in vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques.Study designFor those couples who are at risk of transmitting a genetic disease to their offspring, preimplantation embryos can be selected according to their genetic status as well as human leukocyte antigen (HLA) compatibility with the affected child. Stem cells from the resulting baby's umbilical cord blood can be used for transplantation to the affected sibling without graft rejection.ResultsHere we report successful hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) after the birth of a healthy infant, who was born after successful PGD testing with both cleavage stage and blastocyst stage biopsy for the purpose of diagnosis of β-thalassemia and HLA compatibility.ConclusionThe specific feature of this work is not only to have the first successful HSCT achieved in Bulgaria after using preimplantation HLA typing technique, it also demonstrates how to accomplish this success via cross-border collaboration of different units, which makes the application of these sophisticated methods possible in hospitals not having the necessary equipments and expertise.