The prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection among infertile males and its association with abnormal semen characteristics in Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common cause of sexually transmitted diseases that is not of viral origin and there is accumulating evidence of a significant role played by this pathogen in causing male factor infertility. This study thus aimed to determine the prevalence of C. trachomatis among infertile males and to evaluate their association with fertility status and abnormal semen characteristics. This study included 215 infertile male subjects who visited a major fertility clinic in Warri, Delta state, Nigeria. Forty apparently healthy males without complaints of infertility were enrolled as controls. Blood samples were collected from patients aseptically using venous puncture and semen samples were obtained after masturbation. C. trachomatis IgG antibodies were assayed for in blood specimens using the Dot rapid Assay Kit flow through Ct cassette and positive samples were further screened with an enzyme immunoassay technique. Semen samples were analyzed following World Health Organization guidelines. Forty-two (19.5%) out of 215 infertile male subjects were found sero-positive for C. trachomatis. C. trachomatis was significantly associated with male infertility when compared to controls (P<0.001). Age groups 20-29 years (43.3%) and 30-39 years (22.1%) significantly had higher prevalence of C. trachomatis (P<0.001), as compared to age groups 40-49 (7.9%) and > 50 years (3.7%). Sero-positivity for C. trachomatis antibodies was significantly associated with oligozoospermia (22.5%) and azospermia (61.5%) than with teratozoospermia (7.3%) and asthenozoospermia (6.3%) (P<0.001). The prevalence of C. trachomatis among infertile males was high; there was an association between C. trachomatis infection and poor semen characteristics and infertility. There is need for routine screening for the pathogen in males with complaints of infertility so as to rule out this potentially correctable/reversible cause of infertility.____________________________________________________________________________________

Causes and Risk Factors for Male Infertility: A Scoping Review of Published Studies

“…In Osazuwa et al 23 , a significantly higher prevalence of C. trachomatis antibodies was observed in men aged 20-29 and 30-39 years. Abayomi et al 58 attempted to establish a synergistic relationship between age and BMI in sperm parameters to document alterations in volume, liquefaction time, motility, and sperm count at age less than 45 years and at age 45 years and above.…”

“…The study also showed that previous penile discharge, painful micturition, and previous genital ulcer were associated with infertility in men. 22 Similarly, Osazuwa et al 23 reported a higher prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis antibodies among infertile men and its relationship with abnormal semen features. C. trachomatis antibodies were identified in 19.5% of the 215 infertile males in the study.…”

Chlamydia trachomatis infection in the genital tract is associated with inflammation and hypospermia in the infertile male of China

“…Some epidemiological studies have shown that CT infection is significantly correlated with azoospermia and oligozoospermia, 21 22 while other reports have shown that CT infection is not associated with decreased semen quality or male infertility. 23 24 …”

THE PREVALENCE OF Chlamydia trachomatis AMONGST ASYMPTOMATIC PREGNANT WOMEN IN FOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF DELTA STATE

“…In Nigeria, studies have shown the prevalence of C. trachomatis ranged from 19.5% to 91.2% across different populations including patients attending gynaecological clinics (Jatau et al, 2009;Ebhohimhen et al, 2010;Osazuwa et al, 2013;Okoror et al, 2014). Ethiope West, Sapele, Warri North and South have a population of 203592, 142652, 137300 and 303417 respectively (Population Census, 2006).…”