Gut Dysbiosis in Infertile Patients with Persistent Male Accessory Gland Infection

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Urology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Male tract infections (MTIs) are prevalent and often asymptomatic.
• Current European Urology Guidelines recommend antibiotic monotherapy for MTIs.
• Antibiotic treatment is ineffective in 40-50% of cases, leading to persistent infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the fecal microbiota of male infertile patients with persistent MTIs.
• To determine the prevalence of gut dysbiosis in this patient cohort.
• To explore the association between gut dysbiosis and persistent MTIs.

Main Methods:

• Fecal microbiota analysis was performed on 20 infertile patients with persistent MTIs.
• Samples were collected approximately 30 days after the completion of antibiotic treatment.
• Analysis included microbial biodiversity, Firmicutes-Bacteroidetes ratio, and enterotype determination.

Main Results:

• 50% of patients showed reduced microbial biodiversity.
• Gut dysbiosis was identified in 75% of patients.
• A reduced Firmicutes-Bacteroidetes ratio was observed in 70%, with 40% exhibiting putrefactive dysbiosis.
• Prevotella-dominant enterotype was the most frequent (43%).

Conclusions:

• Persistent MTIs in infertile males are associated with specific gut enterotypes.
• These enterotypes correlate with increased gut permeability and systemic inflammation.
• Further research is needed to understand the role of gut dysbiosis in MTIs and the potential of probiotics.