Análisis microbiológico del semen de los varones en estudio de infertilidad

Abstract

Introduction Bacteriospermia is frequently found in semen samples from men undergoing evaluation for infertility, even when clinical symptoms of infection of the accessory sex glands are absent. Leukocytes are also frequently found in the semen of these men, although there is controversy on the relationship between leukospermia and bacteriospermia –especially in asymptomatic patients – and on whether the presence of bacteria is simply due to contamination. The aim of the present study was to analyze the microbiological findings in semen from patients undergoing infertility evaluation and to determine the presence of pathogenic microorganisms. Methods The results of cultures from 1,376 men (first and midstream urine fractions, and semen) undergoing infertility evaluation during a 2-year period were analyzed. Results In 26% of the men studied, at least one pathogenic microorganism was detected in semen, the most frequent being Escherichia coli (24%). Ureaplasma urealyticum was found in 26% of the men. Conclusions Pathogenic microorganisms were found in more than 25% of a large sample of men. This finding indicates the need to perform urine and semen culture in these patients.