Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis urogenital infections in patients with infertility. Results from a large cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Female and male infertility have been associated to Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis urogenital infections. However, evidence from large studies assessing their prevalence and putative associations in patients with infertility is still needed. The study design was a cross-sectional study including 1554 female and 3610 male patients with infertility in Cordoba, Argentina. In women, the prevalence of C. trachomatis, U. urealyticum and M. hominis urogenital infection was 4.3%, 31.1% and 12.1% whereas in men it was 5.8%, 19.2% and 5.3%, respectively. C. trachomatis infection was significantly more prevalent in men whereas U. urealyticum and M. hominis infections were more prevalent in women. Besides, C. trachomatis and U. urealyticum infections were significantly higher patients younger than 25 years. Moreover, U. urealyticum and M. hominis infections were associated to each other in either infertile women or men. Our data revealed that C. trachomatis, U. urealyticum and M. hominis are prevalent uropathogens in infertile patients. Of clinical importance, C. trachomatis and U. urealyticum infections were more prevalent in young patients whereas U. urealyticum and M. hominis are reciprocal risk factors of their co-infection. These results highlight the importance of including the screening of urogenital infections in the diagnostic workup of infertility.