Semen Quality in Patients With Chlamydia trachomatis Genital Infection Treated Concurrently With Prulifloxacin and a Phytotherapeutic Agent

Abstract

Chronic prostatitis (CP) due to Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) infection has a significant impact on young male fertility, and eradication of Ct infection after antibiotic therapy does not always result in recovery of semen quality. The study aim was to evaluate the effects on fertility parameters of L-arginine, Lcarnitine, acetyl-L-carnitine, and ginseng extracts (FERTIMEV) associated with prulifloxacin in patients affected by CP and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia due to Ct infection. Two hundred and six patients with proven Ct genital infection and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia were enrolled in a prospective, randomized, and controlled study. Prulifloxacin (600 mg) was administered daily for 14 days, and patients were divided into 2 groups: group A: antibiotic therapy alone; and group B: antibiotic therapy and additional therapy with FERTIMEV (1 vial daily for 6 months). Microbiological and semen parameter analyses were performed both at enrollment and after 6 months. National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index and International Prostatic Symptom Score questionnaires were applied. Of the 206 patients, 109 were assigned to group A and 97 to group B. At the enrollment time, no differences were reported with regard to clinical, instrumental, and laboratory data. Six months after treatment, statistically significant differences were demonstrated between both groups in terms of sperm concentration (21.3 6 13.2 millions/ mL vs 11.5 6 13.2 millions/mL) (Cohen's d 5 0.61) (P , .001, df 5 2, F 5 62.10) and percentage of motile sperm (42.4% 6 5.2% vs 29.3% 6 11.0%) (Cohen's d 5 1.52) (P , .001, df 5 2, F 5 91.48). In this study treatment with FERTIMEV together with prulifloxacin improved semen parameters in patients with Ct genital infection and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia compared to treatment with prulifloxacin therapy alone.

Semen analysis before and after antibiotic treatment of asymptomatic chlamydia- and ureaplasma-related pyospermia

“…In another study conducted by Cai et al . (), semen quality was compared in patients with C. trachomatis infections and oligoastenoteratozoospermia, both of which were treated by antibiotics, followed by phytotherapeutic agents. Significant improvement was demonstrated in the semen parameters of the group of patients who received the antibiotic therapy in addition to the phytotherapeutics ( l ‐arginine, l ‐carnitine, ginseng extract), when compared to the group that received only the antibiotic therapy.…”

The role of the prostate in male fertility, health and disease

“…In 2012, a prospective, randomized, controlled study by Cai et al 56 demonstrated that in patients with C. trachomatis genital infection and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, administration of different antioxidative factors such as l-arginine, l-carnitine, acetyl-l-carnitine and ginseng extracts -together with the antibiotic prulifloxacin -was associ ated with improved semen parameters compared with treatment with prulifloxacin therapy alone. The improved quality of spermatozoa from an infertile status to a normal fertility index was demonstrated by two consecutive sperm analyses 56 . The anti-inflammatory and anti oxidative effects of ginseng extracts improve the morphology and density of spermatozoa and l-arginine, l-carnitine and acetyl-l-carnitine enhance sperm motility, by stimulating the activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) 56 .…”

“…The improved quality of spermatozoa from an infertile status to a normal fertility index was demonstrated by two consecutive sperm analyses 56 . The anti-inflammatory and anti oxidative effects of ginseng extracts improve the morphology and density of spermatozoa and l-arginine, l-carnitine and acetyl-l-carnitine enhance sperm motility, by stimulating the activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) 56 .…”

Prostate calcifications: A case series supporting the microbial biofilm theory

“…All samples from the Meares-Stamey test were collected and immediately brought to the laboratory under refrigeration. Aliquots were analyzed for cultures and processed f or DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction as described by Mazzoli et al [12] and Cai et al [13]. All specimens were examined for microbiological cultures of common bacteria and yeasts, and DNA extraction and mucosal immunoglobulin A evaluation was performed for diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infection.…”