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Treatment with levofloxacin does not resolve asymptomatic leucocytospermia--a randomized controlled study
A Krisp1, S Hörster, J Skrzypek
1Department of Andrology and Venerology, University Hospital, Philipp University, Marburg, Germany. krisp@mailer.uni-marburg.de
Andrologia
|September 3, 2003
Summary
Antibiotic therapy, such as levofloxacin, does not significantly improve sperm parameters in men with asymptomatic leucocytospermia (high white blood cells in semen). This study found no benefit from treating this condition with antibiotics.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Urology
- Andrology
Background:
- Leucocytospermia, defined as >1 x 10^6 white blood cells/mL semen by WHO, is often linked to bacterial infections.
- The effectiveness of antibiotic treatment for leucocytospermia remains uncertain.
- Asymptomatic cases, without reported genital infection symptoms, present a specific challenge for treatment decisions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of antibiotic therapy in treating asymptomatic leucocytospermia.
- To determine if levofloxacin improves semen parameters in infertile men with elevated white blood cell counts in semen.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, randomized, controlled study was conducted with 36 infertile patients diagnosed with leucocytospermia.
- Patients were randomly assigned to receive either 10 days of levofloxacin (250 mg/day) or no treatment.
- Semen analysis was performed before and two weeks after the intervention period.
Main Results:
- The levofloxacin group showed a mean decrease in leucocyte count of 45.8%, while the untreated group had a 3% decrease.
- This difference in leucocyte count reduction between the groups was not statistically significant.
- No significant differences were observed in leucocyte count, sperm count, or sperm cell parameters between the treated and untreated groups post-treatment.
Conclusions:
- Antibiotic therapy with levofloxacin does not offer a significant benefit for the treatment of asymptomatic leucocytospermia.
- Current evidence does not support the routine use of antibiotics for infertile men with elevated seminal white blood cells and no symptoms of infection.