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Microbiological investigations on genital infections: a nosocomial experience in Palermo
Abstract:
The new methods for in vitro fertilization and GIFT induced the authors to carry out a retrospective survey on microbiological investigations done on 820 patients (641 women and 179 men) affected with genital infections and 62 newborns hospitalized during the period 1980-1986 to the aim of studying the prevalence of the various microorganisms responsible for sexually transmitted diseases in our area. The biological material obtained from men gave positive results less frequently than that obtained from women (p less than 0.001) although the prevalence of "significant" microorganisms isolated from the same material was overlapping for both sexes (p greater than 0.5). Chlamydia trachomatis positive samples were rare in men (6.1%) as well as in women (4.2%); in one case C. trachomatis was contemporaneously observed in the auricular swab of a newborn and from the cervical swab of the mother. Herpes Simplex virus positive samples were observed in 4 (11.8%) out of 36 women only. This study confirms the usefulness of the microbiological investigation before undertaking attempts for in vitro fertilization.
Insights
Microbiological investigations are crucial for diagnosing genital infections in patients undergoing fertility treatments. This study highlights the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases and confirms the need for testing before in vitro fertilization attempts.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Advancements in assisted reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilization (IVF) and gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) necessitate thorough patient screening.
- Genital infections can significantly impact fertility outcomes and require accurate etiological diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively analyze microbiological investigations in patients with genital infections.
- To determine the prevalence of microorganisms causing sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in a specific geographic area.
- To evaluate the utility of microbiological investigations prior to IVF procedures.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective survey of microbiological investigations conducted between 1980 and 1986.
- Analysis of samples from 820 patients (641 women, 179 men) with genital infections and 62 hospitalized newborns.
- Identification of significant microorganisms, including Chlamydia trachomatis and Herpes Simplex virus.
Main Results:
- Microbiological investigations yielded positive results more frequently in women than in men (p < 0.001).
- Prevalence of significant microorganisms was similar between sexes (p > 0.5).
- Chlamydia trachomatis was detected in 6.1% of men and 4.2% of women; a co-infection was noted in a mother-newborn pair.
- Herpes Simplex virus was found in 11.8% of tested women.
Conclusions:
- Microbiological screening is essential for patients seeking fertility treatments.
- Understanding the prevalence of STDs aids in managing genital infections in infertile populations.
- Pre-treatment microbiological investigation is a valuable component of IVF protocols.