Presence of Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, ureaplasma, and other bacteria in the upper and lower genital tracts of fertile and infertile populations.
OBJECTIVE
The genital mycoplasmas (Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum) and Chlamydia trachomatis have been implicated as possible etiologic factors in infertility. Their role in patients with infertility needs to be further defined.


METHODS
Seventy-nine infertile patients underwent laparoscopy with cultures obtained for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, and Ureaplasma from the peritoneal fluid, fallopian tube, endometrium, and endocervix. Cultures for similar organisms were taken from the endocervix of 80 fertile women in their first trimester. Culture results were also compared according to ovulatory status and laparoscopic findings in the infertile group.


RESULTS
There were no differences in the recovery of Ureaplasma (29% vs. 28%) or Chlamydia (4% vs. 0%) positive cervical cultures in the fertile and infertile groups, respectively. However, a significantly higher number of Mycoplasma positive cervical cultures (14% vs. 5%, P = 0.05) were found in the fertile group. Only two upper genital tract cultures were found to be positive (Ureaplasma).


CONCLUSIONS
Therefore, if these organisms play a role in infertility, they are present and eradicated prior to infertility work-up and thus do not supports the use of a routine trial of antibiotics prior to laparoscopy.
Martens
M G
MG
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-0587, USA.
Young
R L
RL
Uribe
M
M
Buttram
V C
VC
Faro
S
S