Bacterial Infection as a Cause of Infertility in Humans

Czech version

Authors: Sleha Radek ^1,2; Boštíková Vanda ¹; Salavec Miloslav ³; Mosio Petra ²; Kusáková Eva ²; Kukla Rudolf ²; Mazurová Jaroslava ²; Špliňo Miroslav ¹
Authors‘ workplace: Katedra epidemiologie, Fakulta vojenského zdravotnictví, Univerzita obrany, Hradec Králové ¹; Katedra biologických a biochemických věd, Fakulta chemicko-technologická, Univerzita Pardubice, Pardubice ²; Klinika a katedra nemocí kožních a pohlavních FN a LF UK, Hradec Králové ³
Published in: Epidemiol. Mikrobiol. Imunol. 62, 2013, č. 1, s. 26-32

Overview

Microorganisms which are present in the human urogenital tract may be involved in the development of inflammatory changes negatively affecting the genitals in both men and women. Pathological conditions due to inflammatory alterations may result in complete loss of fertility. Infections of the urogenital tract are responsible for 15% of all cases of infertility in couples.

Negative impact on the human reproduction is mainly caused by direct damage to the genital tract mucosa by metabolic products of microorganisms or by induction of pro-inflammatory responses of the body. Another mechanism is indirect impact of microorganisms on the genital function. Moreover, the effect of bacteria on spermatogenesis and semen quality is important in men.

Infections mainly caused by Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae represent the greatest risk in terms of permanent consequences for human reproduction. As for other sexually transmitted disorders, such as infections caused by Gardnerella vaginalis, urogenital mycoplasmas or ureaplasmas, the link between infection and infertility has been intensively researched.

Keywords:
urogenital infections – infertility – Neisseria gonorrhoeae – Chlamydia trachomatis – Mycoplasma sp. – Ureaplasma sp. – Gardnerella vaginalis

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Article was published in

Epidemiology, Microbiology, Immunology

2013 Issue 1