Abstract
Introduction: Infertility constitutes a grave emotional and social problem in India. Male urogenital tract infection is one of the most important causes of male infertility and has been associated with 8-35% of male infertility cases. Presence of bacteria in semen samples may compromise the sperm quality.
Aim: To study the microbiological profile of the semen specimens collected from adult married males visiting the infertility centres.
Material and Methods: In this study, a total of 115 semen samples were collected, after informed written consent, from married males who visited the infertility centres. Semen analysis was carried out according to WHO guidelines (2010). The specimens were processed using standard microbiological procedures for isolating and identifying the organism, followed by antibiotic susceptibility testing. The results were recorded and analysed.
Results: A total of 115 semen specimens were cultured, of which 48 (41.7%) showed significant bacterial growth. About 67% isolates were gram positive cocci and 33.3% isolates were gram negative. The commonest isolates were Enterococcus species (25%) and Escherichia coli (23%). Most of the Gram positive cocci were sensitive to Linezolid, Vancomycin, Teicoplanin and Nitrofurantoin. Most of the Gram negative bacilli were sensitive to Amikacin, Piperacillin-Tazobactum, Gentamicin, Nitrofurantoin and Imipenem. The sensitivity to Co-trimoxazole, Penicillin and Ciprofloxacin was quite low. Oligozoospermia was seen in 61 (53%) of the specimens, out of which 30 showed significant bacterial growth.
Conclusion: Testing for the bacteriological profile of semen of infertile males should be done routinely as bacteria may affect the quality of semen.
Keywords: Semen, Infertility, Bacterial infections, Antibiotic sensitivity, Oligozoospermia.
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Corresponding Author
Riddhi Hathiwala
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Microbiology,
Chandulal Chandrakar Memorial Medical College, Durg, Chattisgarh, India
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Cont. No.: 9833049504
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i4.139
