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The Examination of Peroxidase-Positive Leukocytes in Semen
04:36

The Examination of Peroxidase-Positive Leukocytes in Semen

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Is semen polymorphonuclear leucocytes count a good predictor of male genital tract infection?

Lihang Chen1, Su Ling Yu, Hemashree Rajesh

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, 1356 Lusitana Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA. lihang_chen@126.com

Singapore Medical Journal
|July 4, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

An elevated polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) count in semen does not reliably predict male genital tract infections. Semen culture remains the definitive diagnostic method for identifying infections in men.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Andrology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Male genital tract infections can impact fertility.
  • Polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs) are indicators of inflammation.
  • Semen analysis often includes PMN counts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess if increased semen polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) counts predict genital tract infection detected by semen culture.
  • To determine the diagnostic utility of PMN counts for male reproductive tract infections.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cross-sectional study.
  • Analysis of semen from 388 men at a tertiary hospital's in vitro fertilisation centre.
  • Comparison of semen culture results between men with and without elevated PMN counts.

Main Results:

  • No significant difference in positive semen culture rates between groups (p = 0.1289).
  • Sensitivity and specificity of PMN count for predicting infection were 20.8% and 70.3%, respectively.
  • Overall positive semen culture rate was 18.6%.

Conclusions:

  • Increased semen PMN count is not a reliable predictor of male genital tract infection.
  • Semen culture is essential for diagnosing significant infections.
  • Current diagnostic criteria may need re-evaluation.

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