Is semen polymorphonuclear leucocytes count a good predictor of male genital tract infection?
- Author:
Lihang CHEN
1
;
Su Ling YU
;
Hemashree RAJESH
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Adult; Bacterial Infections; diagnosis; microbiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Leukocyte Count; Male; Middle Aged; Neutrophils; cytology; microbiology; Reproductive Tract Infections; diagnosis; microbiology; Retrospective Studies; Semen; cytology; microbiology; Sensitivity and Specificity; Young Adult
- From:Singapore medical journal 2013;54(6):328-331
- CountrySingapore
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
INTRODUCTIONThis study aims to evaluate whether an increased polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) count in semen is a good predictor of male genital tract infection, which is detected by semen culture.
METHODSA retrospective cross-sectional study examining the semen of 388 men was conducted at the in vitro fertilisation centre of a tertiary hospital. We compared the culture results of 109 men with increased semen PMN count against those of 279 men with normal semen PMN count.
RESULTSThere was no significant difference in the percentage of positive cultures between men with increased PMN count in their semen and those without PMN count elevation (original sensitivity 20.8%, specificity 70.3%; p = 0.1289). The overall percentage of positive semen cultures among all 388 patients was 18.6%.
CONCLUSIONBased on the positive cultures of significant organisms in the semen of our cohort, an increased semen PMN count is not a good predictor of genital tract infection in men.
