Raised InflammatoryMarkers In Semen From Men WithAsymptomatic Chlamydial Infection

Authors

Abstract

Introduction: Chlamydia trachomatis infection is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection throughout the world. In females infections may lead to tubal factor infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease, salpingits and ectopic pregnancy. In men, it is associated with a wide clinical spectrum which may lead to infertility. Both males and females can suffer asymptomatic infection. C. trachomatis infections can be transmitted from either symptomatic or asymptomatic males or females to the opposite sex. The way to diagnose these symptoms less infections is by laboratory testing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis and inflammatory markers in semen from males of infertile couples.
Materials and Methods: Concentrations of leukocytes, interleukin (IL)-8 and IL-6 were determined in seminal plasma (SP) from 255 male partners of asymptomatic infertile couples undergoing diagnostic semen analysis as part of ongoing infertility investigations. Semen analysis was performed according to WHO (1999) methods. In addition, strand displacement amplification (SDA) and polymer conjugate enhanced enzyme immunoassay (IDEIA PCE) were undertaken on semen and first-void urine samples to detect the presence of C. trachomatis-specific DNA and Chlamydia genus-specific antigen respectively. Nested plasmid PCR and Direct Immunofluorescence (DIF) were used to confirm positive SDA and EIA. Sperm motility and viability were assessed both initially and after three hours incubation at 37°C. Results: A total of 14 men (5.5%) were found to meet our criteria of genital chlamydial infection by having at least two positive samples (semen and urine) and/or two positive tests (SDA and IDEIA PCE) for Chlamydia. Men with chlamydial infection had a significantly (p