Korrelation zwischen Seminalparametern und Chlamydia trachomatis spezifischen Antikörpern bei infertilen Männern

Abstract

Aim of the study: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of C. trachomatis infection in asymptomatic infertile male patients admitted to our fertility unit and to investigate whether seminal parameters correlate with C. trachomatis serology. Patients and methods: 367 consecutive unselected patients were examined. C. trachomatis antibodies (IgG/IgA) were determined using a C. trachomatis specific ELISA. Semen analysis was performed according to WHO-guidelines. For C. trachomatis antigen detection patients were divided into two groups. In group I (patients 1-156) C. trachomatis antigen was detected in urethral swabs and ejaculate by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In group II (patients 157-367) antigen detection was performed in ejaculate and first void urine by ligase chain reaction (LCR). Results: 20% of the patients had positive antibody titers. C. trachomatis antigen was detected in the ejaculate of one patient by PCR. Antibody-positive patients showed significantly less normal sperm morphology. The other seminal parameters did not differ significantly between antibody-positive and antibody-negative patients. Conclusion: The incidence of C. trachomatis antibodies is higher in infertile male patients compared with normal populations. The negative correlation between positive serostatus and normal sperm morphology suggests a detrimental effect of C. trachomatis infection on male fertility.