title: Chlamydia trachomatis in andrologic patients--direct and indirect detection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chlamydia trachomatis is considered to be the most common sexually transmitted disease in Germany. It is currently unclear whether chlamydial infection causes pathological conditions of the male accessory glands with consequences for male infertility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Within the framework of several prospective studies the association between sperm quality, male accessory gland function and infection with C. trachomatis was investigated in men of couples with unexplained infertility. Chlamydial infection was determined by serologic methods and by proof of Chlamydia-specific DNA. As a marker of infection the direct determination of granulocytes in the ejaculate or the measurement of the polymorphonuclear (PMN) elastase concentration was used. The male accessory gland function was evaluated using the markers fructose, citric acid and alpha-glucosidase in the seminal plasma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Chlamydia-specific DNA in the ejaculate was present in between 3-5% of the subjects, which corresponds to its prevalence in the normal population. Chlamydia IgA antibodies were demonstrated with a frequency of 38% in seminal plasma (n = 834) using a genus-specific test (rELISA). Using other species-specific tests (MIF, SeroCT, IgA pELISA and ImmunoComb), Chlamydia IgA antibodies were found at frequencies of between 8 and 22%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Only in a few individual cases was it possible to show a connection between reduced sperm quality, disturbed male accessory gland function and indication of infection with Chlamydia, bacteria or Ureaplasma.
authors: Institute for Microbiology and Hygiene, School of Medicine (Charité), Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany. renate.bollmann@charite.de
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Bollmann
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Engel
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Petzoldt
authors: U B
authors: UB
authors: Göbel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005832:Genital Diseases, Male / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012661:Semen / Q000382:microbiology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D004269:DNA, Bacterial