Microbiologic Review of Seminal Fluids in a Nigerian Tertiary Health Centre

Nwadioha SI, Odimayo MS, Jombo

Abstract

Aims and Objectives: To determine the microbiologic pattern of semenal fluid in male infertility. Subjects and Methods: A retrospective laboratory review of microbiologic analysis of 360 semen samples done in Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, from January, 2013 to January, 2016. Results: Fifty-one percent (N=184/360) of the semen samples was normospermic, 43% oligospermic (with 3% severe oligospermia) and 6% azoospermic. Sixty per cent (N=216/360) of the semen samples contained sperm cells that were motile, 30% sluggish and 10% non-motile. Nine per cent of the semen samples contained dead sperms (necrospermic). Forty–two percent (N=150/360) of the semen samples was infected (contained significant number of pus cells, ≥ 2000 cells per ml). Pathogens were isolated in 47%(N=70/150) of the infected semen samples as follows, Staphylococcus aureus (53%), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (10%), Escherichia coli (11.4%), Klebsiella spp(7.1%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (4.4%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7.1%) and Candida spp (7.1%). Moxifloxacin was 85% effective, Levofloxacin (80%), Ceftazidime (80%), Ceftriaxone (80%), Ciprofloxacin (70%), Ofloxacin (68%) and Gentamicin (60%). While Penicillin (20%) and Tetracycline (10%) showed poor activity. Conclusion: Regular semen microbiologic investigation is quite invaluable to male infertility intervention in poor resource countries.

Relevant Publications in Archives of Clinical Microbiology