Top

Published in:

01-02-2011 | Reproductive Medicine

Chlamydia, Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma infections in infertile couples and effects of these infections on fertility

Authors: İlker Günyeli, Faruk Abike, İlkkan Dünder, Canan Aslan, Ömer Lütfi Tapısız, Osman Temizkan, Ahmet Payaslı, Evrim Erdemoğlu

Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics | Issue 2/2011

Abstract

Objective

In our study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum infections among infertile couples and effects of these infections on infertility.

Materials and methods

Prevalence of Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma antibodies and Chlamydia IgM antibodies and its effect on these agents’ sperm parameters, namely, morphology, density, and motility were investigated among a total of 212 patients including fertile and infertile couples. Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma antigens were evaluated using ELISA in the cervical and urethral samples. Chlamydia IgM antibody was measured using micro-ELISA in blood samples.

Results

No difference was detected among the fertile and infertile groups in the serological investigation of urethral and cervical samples with respect to the prevalence of Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma antigens and Chlamydia IgM antibody and sperm parameters (p > 0.05).

Discussion

There is no significant difference between fertile and infertile couples in terms of the prevalence of the above mentioned infections. Accordingly, during the infertility assessment, infertile couples should not be routinely screened for these infective agents without any clinically sound evidence.

Habbema JDF, Collins J, Leridon H, Evers JLH, Lunenfeld B, te Velde ER (2004) Towards less confusing terminology in reproductive medicine: a proposal. Hum Reprod 19:1497–1501CrossRefPubMed

Greendale GA, Haas ST, Holbrook K, Walsh B, Schachter J, Phillips RS (1993) The relationship of Chlamydia trachomatis infection and male infertility. Am J Pub health 83(7):996–1001CrossRef

Naessens A, Foulon W, Debrucker P, Devroey P, Lauwers S (1986) Recovery of microorganims in semen and relatioship to semen evaluation. Fertil Steril 45:101PubMed

Moss TR, Nicholls A, Viercant P, Gregson S, Hawkswell J (1986) Chlamydia trachomatis and infertility. Lancet 2:281CrossRefPubMed

Friberg J (1980) Mycoplasmas and Ureaplasmas in infertility and abortion. Fertil Steril 33:351PubMed

Jakiel G, Robak-Cholubek D, Wieczorek P, Bokiniec M (2004) Evaluation of some parameters of human semen with positive chlamydial reaction. Ann Univ Mariae Curie Sklodowska 59:61–64

Gdoura R, Keskes-Ammar L, Bouzid F, Eb F, Hammami A, Orfila J (2001) Chlamydia trachomatis and male infertility in Tunisia. Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care 6:102–107PubMed

Bezold G, Politch JA, Kiviat NB, Kuypers JM, Wolff H, Anderson DJ (2007) Prevalence of sexually transmissible pathogens in semen from asymptomatic male infertility patients with and without leukocytospermia. Fertil Steril 87:1087–1097CrossRefPubMed

Gallegos G, Ramos B, Santiso R, Goyanes V, Gosalvez J, Fernandez JL (2008) Sperm DNA fragmentation in infertile men with genitourinary infection by Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma. Fertil Steril 90(2):328–334CrossRefPubMed

10.

Custo GM, Lauro V, Saitto C, Frongillo RF (1989) Chlamydial infection and male infertility: an epidemiological study. Arch Androl 23:243–248CrossRefPubMed

11.

Cengiz T, Aydoganli L, Baykam M, Mungan NA, Tuncbilek E, Dincer M et al (1997) Chlamydial infections and male infertility. Int Urol Nephrol 29:687–693CrossRefPubMed

12.

Hosseinzadeh S, Eley A, Pacey AA (2004) Semen quality of men with asymptomatic chlamydial infection. J Androl 25:104–109PubMed

13.

Gump D, Gibson M, Ashikaga T (1983) Evidence of prior pelvic inflammatory disease and its relationship to Chlamydia trachomatis antibody and intrauterine contraceptive device use in infertile women. Am J Obstet Gynecol 146:153–159PubMed

14.

Khron MA, Hillier SL, Nugent NP, Cotch MP, Carey C, Gibbs SR et al (1995) The genital flora of women with intramaniotic infection. J Infect Dis 171:1475–1480

15.

Xu C, Sun GF, Zhu YF, Wang YF (1997) The correletion of Ureaplasma urealyticum infection with infertility. Androl 29:219–226

16.

Styler M, Shapiro SS (1985) Mycoplasma in infertility. Fertil Steril 44:1PubMed

17.

Rose BI, Scott B (1994) Sperm motility, morphology, hyperactivation, and ionophore-induced acrosome reactions after overnight incubation with mycoplasmas. Fertil Steril 61(2):341–348PubMed

18.

Paavonen J, Wølner-Hanssen P (1989) Chlamydia trachomatis : a major threat to reproduction. Hum Reprod 4:111–124PubMed

19.

Purvis K, Chritiansen E (1992) Male infertility; current concepts. Ann Med 24:259CrossRefPubMed

20.

Kruse WE, Gerhard I, Tilgen W (1990) Chlamydial infection a female and/or male infertility factor? Fertil Steril 53:1037

21.

Motrich RD, Cuffini C, Oberti JP, Maccioni M, Rivero VE (2006) Chlamydia trachomatis occurrence and its impact on sperm quality in chronic prostatitis patients. J Infect 53:175–183CrossRefPubMed

22.

Gdoura R, Kchaou W, Ammar-Keskes L, Chakroun N, Sallemi A, Znazen A et al (2007) Assessment of Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvum, Mycoplasma hominis and Mycoplasma genitalium in semen and first-void urine specimens of asymptomatic male partners of infertile couples. J Androl 29:198–206CrossRefPubMed

23.

De Barbeyrac B, Papaxanthos-Roche A, Mathieu C, Germain C, Brun JL, Gachet M et al (2006) Chlamydia trachomatis in subfertile couples undergoing an in vitro fertilization program: a prospective study. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 129:46–53CrossRefPubMed

24.

Vigil P, Morales P, Tapia A, Riquelme R, Salgado AM (2002) Chlamydia trachomatis infection in male partners of infertile couples: incidence and sperm function. Andrologia 34:155–161CrossRefPubMed

25.

Ochsendorf FR, Ozdemir K, Rabenau H, Fenner T, Oremek R, Milbradt R et al (1999) Chlamydia trachomatis and male infertility: Chlamydia-IgA antibodies in seminal plasma are C. trachomatis specific and associated with an inflammatory response. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 12:143–152CrossRefPubMed

26.

Habermann B, Krause W (1999) Altered sperm function or sperm antibodies are not associated with chlamydial antibodies in infertile men with leukocytospermia. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 12:25–29CrossRefPubMed

27.

Weidner W, Floren E, Zimmermann O, Thiele D, Ludwig M (1996) Chlamydial antibodies in semen: search for “silent” chlamydial infections in asymptomatic andrological patients. Infection 24:309–313CrossRefPubMed

28.

Eggert-Kruse W, Rohr G, Kunt B, Meyer A, Wondra J, Strowitzki T et al (2003) Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in subfertile couples. Fertil Steril 80:660–663CrossRefPubMed

29.

Land JA, Van Bergen JE, Morré SA, Postma MJ (2010) Epidemiology of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in women and the cost-effectiveness of screening. Hum Reprod Updat 16(2):189–204CrossRef

30.

Wilkowska-Trojniel M, Zdrodowska-Stefanow B, Ostaszewska-Puchalska I, Zbucka M, Wołczyński S, Grygoruk C et al (2009) Chlamydia trachomatis urogenital infection in women with infertility. Adv Med Sci 54(1):82–85CrossRefPubMed

31.

Dieterle S, Mahony JB, Luinstra KE, Stibbe W (1995) Chlamydial IgG and IgA antibodies in serum and semen are not associated with the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis DNA or r RNA in semen from male partners of infertile couples. Hum Reprod 10:315–319PubMed

32.

Byrne GI (1996) Persistant Chlamydial infections : an in vivo reality or a cell culture artifact? Infect Dis obstet Gynecol 4:149–151CrossRefPubMed

33.

Kundsin RB, Driscoll SG, Monson RR, Yeh C, Biano SA, Cochran WD (1984) Association of Ureaplasma urealyticum in the placenta with perinatal morbidity and mortality. N Engl J Med 310(15):941–945CrossRefPubMed

34.

Quinn PA, Shewchuk AB (1983) Serologic evidence of Ureaplasma urealyticum infection in women with spontaneous pregnancy loss. Am J Obstet Gynecol 145:245–250PubMed

35.

Naessens A (1988) Serotypes of Ureaplasma urealyticum isolated from normal pregnant woman and patients with pregnancy complications. J Clin Microbiol 26:319–322PubMed

36.

Zanchetta R, Busulo F (1985) The effect of Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum on hamster egg in vitro penetration by human spermatozoa. Fertil Steril 43:110–114PubMed

37.

Keck C, Gerber-Schafer C, Clad A, Wilhelm C, Breckwoldt M (1998) Seminal tract infections: impact on male fertility and treatment options. Hum Reprod Updat 4:891–903CrossRef

38.

Imudia AN, Detti L, Puscheck EE, Yelian FD, Diamond MP (2008) The prevalence of Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis, Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections, and the Rubella status of patients undergoing an initial infertility evaluation. J Assist Reprod Genet 25(1):43–46CrossRefPubMed

39.

Rodriguez R, Hernandez R, Fuster F, Torres A, Prieto P, Alberto J (2001) Genital infection and infertility. Enferm Infec Microbiol Clin 19:261–266

40.

Gump DW, Gibson M, Ashikaga T (1984) Lack of association between genital mycoplasmas and infertility. N Engl J Med 310:937–941CrossRefPubMed

41.

Taylor PJ, Collins JA (2003) Unexplained infertility. Hum Reprod Updat 9:61–76CrossRef

Title: Chlamydia, Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma infections in infertile couples and effects of these infections on fertility
Authors: İlker Günyeli
Faruk Abike
İlkkan Dünder
Canan Aslan
Ömer Lütfi Tapısız
Osman Temizkan
Ahmet Payaslı
Evrim Erdemoğlu
Publication date: 01-02-2011
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics / Issue 2/2011
Print ISSN: 0932-0067
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0711
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-010-1726-4

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Chlamydia, Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma infections in infertile couples and effects of these infections on fertility

Abstract

Objective

Materials and methods

Results

Discussion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Materials and methods

Results

Discussion

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 2/2011

Risk factors in prolonged postpartum urinary retention: an analysis of six cases

The study on role of peripheral blood mononuclear cell in HBV intrauterine infection

Calprotectin, RAGE and TNF-α in hypertensive disorders in pregnancy: expression and significance

Region-based diagnostic performance of multidetector CT for detecting peritoneal seeding in ovarian cancer patients

Grandmultiparity and pregnancy outcome in Aba, Nigeria: a case–control study

Clinical evaluation of women with PMB. Is it always necessary an endometrial biopsy to be performed? A review of the literature