RESUMEN
Human pathogens that can cause infertility may also affect sperm count and quality. Viral infections can be considered as direct and/or indirect cause of male factor infertility. Our goal was to investigate the prevalence of herpes simplex virus in the semen of infertile men attending the Avicenna Infertility Clinic, and to compare it with the herpes virus serology results. This cross sectional study was conducted during 2009-2010. Infertile men participating without any clinical signs of infection with herpes simplex virus, and no obvious cause for their infertility were included. Semen and blood samples were used for Polymerase Chain Reaction [PCR] and serologic testing for these people. Two samples were collected: one ml semen sample to verify the existence of genital herpes simplex virus in infertile men, and blood samples of 217 individuals tested for antibodies to herpes simplex virus. Data were analyzed by SPSS 16. According to the PCR results of semen samples the prevalence of herpes simplex in semen was 12% and serologic test showed 3.2% prevalence within blood. Nine to 10% of IgM negative were PCR positive and only 2-3% of IgM positive were PCR positive. Between herpes serologic studies with positive controls and negative controls by using both tests, there was a significant positive relationship [r=0.718 and p<0.001]. The relationship between semen PCR test results and serological survey of herpes patients with a negative control in both Pearson and Spearman tests was positive and significant [r=0.229 and p=0.001]. Correlation between the PCR results of semen samples with two positive control subjects and a positive IgM test was statistically confirmed [r=0.235 and p<0.001]. We recommend that if there is suspicion to herpes simplex as a microorganism that theoretically could impact semen parameters and cause infertility it is prudent to use PCR technique on semen sample rather than ELISA on serum
RESUMEN
Irritable bowel syndrome is a common chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder of unknown etiology. Serotonin is an important factor in sensory signaling in the brain-gut axis, which plays a key role in intestinal motility and secretion. Serotonin clearance is mediated by a specific protein called the serotonin reuptake transporter. Transcription activity of the serotonin transporter gene is affected by some polymorphisms in this gene. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serotonin transporter gene polymorphisms and irritable bowel syndrome. The 5-HTTLPR, rs25531 and STin2VNTR polymorphisms of the serotonin transporter gene were analyzed by PCR-based methods in 50 patients with irritable bowel syndrome and 100 healthy controls. Serotonin transporter polymorphisms were similar in patients and healthy controls. There were no significant differences in allele or genotype frequencies between the two groups. Our findings suggest that polymorphisms in the gene encoding for the serotonin transporter are not associated with irritable bowel syndrome. Interactions between environmental factors and predisposing genetic factors are important in the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome, and further genetic and epigenetic research may provide novel insights into the mechanisms contributing to this disease