The impact of Corynebacterium glucuronolyticumon semen parameters: a prospective pre-post-treatment study

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Tomislav Meštrović
• Author: Branka Bedenić
• Author: J. Wilson
• Author: Sunčanica Ljubin-Sternak
• Author: Mario Sviben
• Author: M. Neuberg
• Author: R. Ribić
• Author: G. Kozina
• Author: Z. Profozić
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Clinical Medical Sciences

Abstract (english)

Corynebacterium glucuronolyticum (C. glucuronolyticum) is a rare isolate that is only recently being acknowledged as a potential urogenital pathogen. The bibliographical references on this bacterial species are scarce, and its influence on all semen parameters was hitherto unknown - therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate its effects on a range of sperm quality parameters. A prospective approach to compare semen parameters before and after treatment was used in this study. C. glucuronolyticum in semen specimens was identified using analytical profile index biotyping system (API Coryne) and additionally confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass-spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), with the determination of antimicrobial susceptibility by Kirby-Bauer method. Semen analysis was performed according to the criteria from the World Health Organization (with the use of Tygerberg method of sperm morphology categorization). Very strict inclusion criteria for participants also included detailed medical history and urological evaluation. From a total of 2169 screened semen specimens, the inclusion rate for participants with C. glucuronolyticum that satisfied all the criteria was 1.01%. Antibiogram-guided treatment of the infection with ensuing microbiological clearance has shown that the resolution of the infection correlates with statistically significant improvement in the vitality of spermatozoa, but also with a lower number of neck and mid-piece defects. Parameters such as sperm count, motility and normal morphology were not affected. In addition, susceptibility testing revealed a trend towards ciprofloxacin resistance, which is something that should be considered when selecting an optimal treatment approach. Albeit it is rarely encountered as a monoisolate in significant quantities, C. glucuronolyticum may negatively influence certain sperm parameters; therefore, it has to be taken into account in the microbiological analysis of urogenital samples.

• Keywords (english): Adult; Cohort Studies; Corynebacterium Infections / complications; Corynebacterium Infections / epidemiology; Corynebacterium glutamicum; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Semen / microbiology; Sperm Count; Sperm Motility; Young Adult
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Accepted version
• Journal title: Andrology
• Numbering: vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 223-229
• p-ISSN: 2047-2919
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/andr.12453
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:067490
• Publication: 2018-01
• Document URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/andr.12453
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-03-28 10:37:55