ABSTRACT
Objective@#Uropathogenic Escherichia coli is known to cause urinary tract infections, and the endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) of this bacterium may cause deficiencies of sperm quality and morphology. In the present study, the effects of LPS on mouse sperm were studied, and the levels of interleukin (IL)-17A and possible changes in testis tissue were evaluated. @*Methods@#LPS of uropathogenic E. coli was extracted using the methanol-chloroform method, followed confirmation using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide electrophoresis. Purified LPS (100 µg/kg) or phosphate-buffered saline was injected intraperitoneally into BALB/c mice for 7 days consecutively in the test and control groups, Mice were sacrificed on days 3, 7, and 42 after the first injection. Blood was tested for levels of IL-17A using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Testis tissue and sperm were collected from each mouse and were studied according to standard protocols. @*Results@#The mean sperm count and motility significantly decreased (p=0.03) at 3, 7, and 42 days after the injections. The level of IL-17A in the test groups increased, but not significantly (p=0.8, p=0.11, and p=0.15, respectively). Microscopic studies showed no obvious changes in the morphology of the testis tissue; however, significant changes were observed in the cellular parenchyma on day 42. @*Conclusion@#LPS can stimulate the immune system to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, resulting in an immune response in the testis and ultimately leading to deficiency in sperm parameters and testis tissue damage. In addition, the presence of LPS could significantly impair sperm parameters, as shown by the finding of decreased motility.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#Uropathogenic Escherichia coli is known to cause urinary tract infections, and the endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) of this bacterium may cause deficiencies of sperm quality and morphology. In the present study, the effects of LPS on mouse sperm were studied, and the levels of interleukin (IL)-17A and possible changes in testis tissue were evaluated. @*Methods@#LPS of uropathogenic E. coli was extracted using the methanol-chloroform method, followed confirmation using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide electrophoresis. Purified LPS (100 µg/kg) or phosphate-buffered saline was injected intraperitoneally into BALB/c mice for 7 days consecutively in the test and control groups, Mice were sacrificed on days 3, 7, and 42 after the first injection. Blood was tested for levels of IL-17A using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Testis tissue and sperm were collected from each mouse and were studied according to standard protocols. @*Results@#The mean sperm count and motility significantly decreased (p=0.03) at 3, 7, and 42 days after the injections. The level of IL-17A in the test groups increased, but not significantly (p=0.8, p=0.11, and p=0.15, respectively). Microscopic studies showed no obvious changes in the morphology of the testis tissue; however, significant changes were observed in the cellular parenchyma on day 42. @*Conclusion@#LPS can stimulate the immune system to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, resulting in an immune response in the testis and ultimately leading to deficiency in sperm parameters and testis tissue damage. In addition, the presence of LPS could significantly impair sperm parameters, as shown by the finding of decreased motility.
ABSTRACT
Background and Aims: Group B streptococcus [GBS], is a bacterium that colonize in the vagina and/or rectum of pregnant, as well as non-pregnant women. The frequency of GBS varies in different geographical areas. Capsular serotyping of the bacterium could result in efficient vaccine designation. Serotyping data of GBS in Iranian pregnant women is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the GBS molecular capsular serotyping of pregnant women in Yazd, Iran
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 346 vaginal and urine samples collected from pregnant women were cultured on blood agar and following incubation, the suspected colonies were identified according to standard protocol. Capsular serotyping was carried out by multiplex-polymerase chain reaction assay
Results: Three hundred forty six samples were collected from pregnant women out of which 57 [16.47%] and 33 [9.5%] samples were identified as GBS of vagina, and urine, respectively. Serotype III was predominant in both vaginal and urine samples by frequencies of 54.4% and 51.5 %, respectively. Other serotypes in vaginal GBS were as II [26.3%], Ia [12.3%], Ib [3.5%], and V [3.5%]; while in urine GBS were as Ia [21.2%], II [18.2%], Ib [6.1%], and V [3%]
Conclusions: This study revealed that capsular serotype III of GBS is the dominant serotype among pregnant women in Yazd, Iran. Moreover vaginal and urine GBS serotypes were significantly correlated. These data could be helpful for future possible formulation of a GBS conjugate vaccine