Implications of asymptomatic endocervical leukocytosis in infertility

Genital tract infection is a known cause of male and female infertility. In this retrospective study, we investigated the effect of treatment of asymptomatic cervical leukocytosis on pregnancy rates. Twenty-five infertile women with asymptomatic cervical leukocytosis received broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment (100 mg doxycycline, 200 mg ofloxacin, and 500 mg metronidazole twice a day for 7-10 days). Pregnancy rates and resolution of leukocytosis were evaluated 6 months after treatment. Eleven patients (44%) had persistent cervical leukocytosis and 16 (64%) had become pregnant within 6 months after treatment. Successful treatment of cervical leukocytosis resulted in an increase in the pregnancy rate: 13 of the 14 patients (93%) who were cured of leukocytosis became pregnant, while 3 of the 11 (27%) who did not become pregnant were cured (p = 0.002). Patients who did not achieve pregnancy were older (p = 0. 002) than those who did. Patients who were not cured were also older than those who were (p = 0.014). Our findings suggest that the treatment for cervical leukocytosis is less effective for older patients than for younger patients. However, treatment of asymptomatic cervical leukocytosis appears to help preserve the fertility of patients with this disease.