Prevalence of Sexually Transmissible Pathogens in Semen from Asymptomatic Male Infertility Patients with and Without Leukocytospermia

Overview

Journal Fertil Steril

Specialty Reproductive Medicine

Date 2007 Apr 17

PMID 17433312

Citations 75

Authors

Guntram Bezold

Joseph A Politch

Nancy B Kiviat

Jane M Kuypers

Hans Wolff

Deborah J Anderson

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of pathogens that cause sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in semen from asymptomatic male infertility patients with and without leukocytospermia (LCS), and associations between STIs, inflammatory markers, and other semen variables.

Design: Retrospective, controlled study.

Setting: Academic Medical Center.

Patient(s): Two hundred and forty-one male infertility patients undergoing routine semen analysis: 132 with LCS, and 109 without LCS.

Intervention(s): None.

Main Outcome Measure(s): The DNA from STI pathogens (human papillomavirus [HPV], cytomegalovirus [CMV], herpes simplex virus [HSV], human herpesvirus type 6 [HHV-6], Epstein-Barr virus [EBV], hepatitis B virus [HBV], and Chlamydia trachomatis [CT]), routine semen parameters, and markers of accessory gland and epididymal function and inflammation.

Result(s): The DNA from STI pathogens was detected in 45/241 (18.7%) of the samples (CMV, 8.7%; HPV, 4.5%; HHV-6, 3.7%; HSV, 3.7%; CT, 2.5%; EBV, 0.4%; and HBV, 0%), with no difference in prevalence between the LCS and non-LCS groups. The DNA of STI pathogens in semen was associated with a decrease in sperm concentration, motile sperm concentration, total sperm count, and neutral alpha-glucosidase concentration, whereas LCS was associated with a decrease in total sperm count, percent normal forms, and fructose concentration.

Conclusion(s): The DNA of STI pathogens was detected in semen from a high percentage of asymptomatic male infertility patients, and was associated with poor semen quality. Efforts to diagnose and treat subclinical genital-tract infections should be intensified.

Citing Articles

Semen Microbiome, Male Infertility, and Reproductive Health.

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The possible pathogenic mechanisms of microorganisms in infertility: a narrative review.

Chegini Z, Khoshbayan A, Kashi M, Zare Shahraki R, Didehdar M, Shariati A Arch Microbiol. 2025; 207(2):27.

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Correlation between viral infections in male semen and infertility: a literature review.

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Unraveling the Intricacies of the Seminal Microbiome and Its Impact on Human Fertility.

Corral-Vazquez C, Blanco J, Sarrate Z, Anton E Biology (Basel). 2024; 13(3).

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Update on known and emergent viruses affecting human male genital tract and fertility.

Dabizzi S, Maggi M, Torcia M Basic Clin Androl. 2024; 34(1):6.

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