Bacterial and Viral Pathogens Implicated in Female Reproductive Failure Investigated on Menstrual Blood

Abstract

We investigate the impact of bacterial (Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum/parvum, Mycomplasma hominis/genitalium, Gardnerella vaginalis) and viral (HSV1/2, EBV, CMV, VZV, HHV6/HHV7, HHV8) pathogens, as a potential cause of reproductive failure in women by analysis of menstrual blood. We analyzed DNA extracted from 48 probands selected on the basis of history of infertility. DNA extraction, Real-time qPCR, gel electrophoresis were applied.
 In 64.6% of all tested menstrual blood samples of infertile women bacterial and/or viral pathogens were detected. In 41.4% of all tested samples we found bacterial, while in 37.5% viral pathogens. Ureaplasma parvum and Gardnerella vaginalis were detected in 58.3% and 54.2%, respectively, of the positive for bacterial pathogens samples. EBV, HHV7 and HHV6 were detected in 38.9%, 55.6%, and, respectively, 11.1% of the positive for viral pathogens samples. Bacterial and viral co-infection was found in 22.6% of all patients.
 Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycomplasma hominis/genitalium, Ureaplasma urealyticum, HSV1, HSV2, CMV, VZV and HHV8 were not detected in the menstrual blood samples.
 Our study offers new approach for diagnostics of infections in the upper female genital tract by analysis of menstrual blood. The opportunity to detect asymptomatic bacterial and viral infections in female endometrium contributes to reveal the cause for sterility. Our work contributes to clarify the infectious etiology of reproductive failure which is of a great importance for individualized therapy.