The impact of Corynebacterium glucuronolyticum on semen parameters: a prospective pre–post‐treatment study

Abstract

Corynebacterium glucuronolyticum (C. glucuronolyticum) is a rare isolate that is only recently being acknowledged as a potential urogenital pathogen. The bibliographical references on this bacterial species are scarce, and its influence on all semen parameters was hitherto unknown - therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate its effects on a range of sperm quality parameters. A prospective approach to compare semen parameters before and after treatment was used in this study. C. glucuronolyticum in semen specimens was identified using analytical profile index biotyping system (API Coryne) and additionally confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass-spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), with the determination of antimicrobial susceptibility by Kirby-Bauer method. Semen analysis was performed according to the criteria from the World Health Organization (with the use of Tygerberg method of sperm morphology categorization). Very strict inclusion criteria for participants also included detailed medical history and urological evaluation. From a total of 2169 screened semen specimens, the inclusion rate for participants with C. glucuronolyticum that satisfied all the criteria was 1.01%. Antibiogram-guided treatment of the infection with ensuing microbiological clearance has shown that the resolution of the infection correlates with statistically significant improvement in the vitality of spermatozoa, but also with a lower number of neck and mid-piece defects. Parameters such as sperm count, motility and normal morphology were not affected. In addition, susceptibility testing revealed a trend towards ciprofloxacin resistance, which is something that should be considered when selecting an optimal treatment approach. Albeit it is rarely encountered as a monoisolate in significant quantities, C. glucuronolyticum may negatively influence certain sperm parameters; therefore, it has to be taken into account in the microbiological analysis of urogenital samples.

Necrozoospermia: The tree that hides the forest

“…Genital tract infections are thought to be responsible for 40 % of cases of necrozoospermia 38 and are associated with nearly 15 % of cases of male infertility 44 . Despite a relatively high frequency of necrozoospermia induced by genital tract infection, the impact on sperm vitality usually remains minor 44–48 . If sperm vitality or other semen parameters are impaired or if the patient presents with symptoms, antibiotic treatment may be proposed based on the results of the antibiogram.…”

“…44 Despite a relatively high frequency of necrozoospermia induced by genital tract infection, the impact on sperm vitality usually remains minor. [44][45][46][47][48] If sperm vitality or other semen parameters are impaired or if the patient presents with symptoms, antibiotic treatment may be proposed based on the results of the antibiogram.…”

“…As for M. hominis , it is thought to increase SDF 53 . Corynebacterium glucuronolyticum genital infections have also been shown to have a significant impact on sperm vitality although no causal mechanism has yet been elucidated 48 …”

“…53 Corynebacterium glucuronolyticum genital infections have also been shown to have a significant impact on sperm vitality although no causal mechanism has yet been elucidated. 48 Inflammatory damage may be added to the deleterious effects of the pathogen itself. Indeed, during a genital infection, inflammatory cells such as neutrophils and macrophages can negatively affect sperm cells by increasing ROS levels.…”