Detection of chlamydia infection within human testicular biopsies

AbstractSTUDY QUESTIONCanChlamydia be found in the testes of infertile men?SUMMARY ANSWERChlamydia can be found in 16.7% of fresh testicular biopsies and 45.3% of fixed testicular biopsies taken from a selection of infertile men.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADYMale chlamydial infection has been understudied despite male and female infections occurring at similar rates. This is particularly true of asymptomatic infections, which occur in 50% of cases. Chlamydial infection has also been associated with increased sperm DNA damage and reduced male fertility.STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATIONWe collected diagnostic (fixed,n = 100) and therapeutic (fresh,n = 18) human testicular biopsies during sperm recovery procedures from moderately to severely infertile men in a cross-sectional approach to sampling.PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODSThe diagnostic and therapeutic biopsies were tested forChlamydia-specific DNA and protein, using real-time PCR and immunohistochemical approaches, respectively. Serum samples matched to the fresh biopsies were also assayed for the presence ofChlamydia-specific antibodies using immunoblotting techniques.MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCEChlamydial major outer membrane protein was detected in fixed biopsies at a rate of 45.3%. This was confirmed by detection of chlamydial DNA and TC0500 protein (replication marker).C. trachomatis DNA was detected in fresh biopsies at a rate of 16.7%, and the sera from each of these three positive patients containedC. trach...
Source: Human Reproduction - Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research