Prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases among men from infertile couples

Abstract

Introduction. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can potentially disrupt male fertility; however, the prevalence data for STDs among men from infertile couples is controversial. Aim. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of STDs among men from infertile couples seeking medical assistance in an assisted reproductive technology clinic. Materials and methods. We retrospectively studied the medical records of 307 men (mean age: 35 ± 15 years) consecutively attending an outpatient reproductive clinic for infertility treatment. Duration of the infertile period varied from 4 to 228 months (mean: 38 ± 12 months). We collected urethral swab specimen to investigate the presence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma, and Ureaplasma species in 235 (76.5%), 232 (75.6%), 270 (87.9%), 301 (98.1%), and 300 (97.7%) men, respectively. Blood tests for syphilis, hepatitis B and C, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human herpesvirus (HHV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV) were conducted in 229 (74.6%), 224 (73%), 227 (73.9%), 230 (74.9%), 233(75.9%), and 232 (75.6%) men, respectively, and statistical analysis of the data was performed. Results. Remarkably, all tests were negative in 94 (30.6%) men, and no patient had T. vaginalis or C. trachomatis infection. However, N. gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma, and Ureaplasma were detected in 1 (0.4%), 6 (2.6%), and 14 (4.7%) men, respectively. Syphilis, hepatitis B and C, HIV, HSV, and CMV tests were positive in 1 (0.4%), 2 (0.9%), 6 (2.6%), 1(0.4%), 177 (76%), and 133 (57%) men, respectively. Conclusions. The prevalence of STDs is high among men from infertile couples. Further studies are warranted to investigate the relationship between STDs and male infertility. (For citation: Korneyev IA, Zasseev RD, Shevchuk IG, Pelipejchenko AA. Prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases among men from infertile couples. Urologicheskie vedomosti. 2018;8(2):30-35. doi: 10.17816/uroved8230-35).