[Correlation of H. pylori infection and infertility; a survey in Yazd infertility clinic]

Infertility is a worldwide problem. Many different factors may cause infertility. Among them, bacterial infection of the reproductive system is one of the main factors. Recently, some limited investigation has revealed that H. pylori is capable of causing genital inflammation that may lead to infertility. Although known to be a causative agent of gastritis and duodenal ulcers, this species may be transferred orally to the vagina and asymptomatic infection leads to inflammation of the system and finally manifestation of infertility. In addition, infertility may be due to antibodies synthesized against H. pylori cross-reacting with the genital tissue. In the present study, 180 women consisting of 90 cases referred to IVF center of Yazd and 90 matched controls were enrolled. Serum was taken from all women for detection of IgG and IgM using the ELISA technique. A total of 117 [65%] serum samples were positive for Helicobacter, of which 63.3% were from fertile and 66.7% from infertile women. The serum positive population was found to be predominantly in the age range of 25-35, although some 35-42 year olds were also serum positive. When the prevalence of Helicobacter infection status was compared with marriage duration in both groups, it was found that antibody titer in subjects from marriages with durations of greater than five years was significantly higher than those of five-year marriages. In addition, higher antibody titers were found in infertile women with fallopian tube [FT] factor and lower titers in those with polycystic factors. Although the results were not significant, they nevertheless indicate that the Helicobacter antibody titers in infertile women were higher than those of fertile women [P =0.6]. Therefore, further studies are necessary to determine the role that Helicobacter infection plays with regard to infertility among women. Since the antibody titer in infertile cases with FT factor was higher than others, it may indicate that inflammation caused by H. pylori plays an indirect role in the induction of infertility

Selected epidemiological features of human brucellosis in Yazd, Islamic Republic of Iran: 1993-1998

Brucellosis is a significant health problem in countries where control of zoonoses is inadequate. During 1993-98, we analysed sera and cultures from 792 suspected brucellosis patients who presented with histories of fever, chills, night sweating, weakness, malaise and headache to the referral hospital in Yazd. Cases were investigated by tube agglutination test [TAT] and 2-mercaptoethanol test [2-MET] and a questionnaire was completed for each.TAT titre was > / = 1:1 60 for 745 patients [94.1%] and 2-MET was positive for 42 [5.3%]. Of 745 confirmed cases, 460 were from 1996-1997. Prevalence was highest in summer [39.5%] and more common males than among females. Prevalence was highest among those aged 10-19 years [27.7%]. Most patients had a history of infected cheese, milk and milk product consumption [98%]

Correlation between asymptomatic urethritis with bacteriospermia in seminal plasma of fertile and infertile men

Urogenital infection can influence the fertilization potential of the spermatozoa, which may lead to male infertility. The symptomatic urethiritis can change the semen parameters, however the role of asymptomatic urethirtis in fertility is still obscure. In this descriptive investigation, a total of 148 samples from urethra and semen of fertile as well as 146 samples from urethra and semen of infertiles men were examined for the presence of 5 bacterial species including streptococcus group A., Entercoccus, E.coli, coagulase positive and negative Staphylococcus. The rate of infection of urethra and semen of fertile men were 49.22% and 29.05%, respectively. The aforementioned rates were 34.9% and 60.27% for infertile men. The seminal infection was significantly different between two groups of fertile and infertile [p < 0.01]. The results showed that the most common pathogen in semen of fertile and infertile men was Entrococcus with prevalence of 32.60% [14 cases], and 42% [37 cases], respectively. A total of 90 out of 131 samples contaminated with bacteria showed high rate of Leuckocytes [pyospermia]. The remaining 41 infected samples lacked or had low number of leuckocytes. In conclusion, bacteriospermia is significantly higher in seminal samples of infertile than fertile men [p < 0.01]. Therefore, the pathogens involved in urethritis may be involved in male infertility. In addition, seminal culture is necessary for detection of bacteria presence in the semen, and thus it is important to note that presence or absence of Leukocyte in semen may not represent the urogenital infection