COVID-19 associates with semen inflammation and sperm quality impairment that reverses in the short term after disease recovery.

Introduction: COVID-19 exerts deleterious effects on the respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems, causing more severe disease in men than in women. However, cumulative reported data about the putative consequences on the male reproductive tract and fertility are controversial. Furthermore, the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection are still uncertain. Methods: In this study, we prospectively evaluated levels of inflammatory cytokines and leukocytes in semen and sperm quality parameters in a cohort of 231 reproductive-aged male patients, unvaccinated, who had recovered from mild or severe COVID-19 and in 62 healthy control individuals. Sperm quality was assessed early (less than 3 months) and long (more than 3 and up to 6 months) after having COVID-19. Interestingly, and unlike most reported studies, available extensive background and baseline data on patients' sperm quality allowed performing a more accurate analysis of COVID-19 effects on sperm quality. Results: Significantly higher levels of IL-1ß, TNF and IFNγ were detected in semen from patients recently recovered from mild and/or severe COVID-19 with respect to control individuals indicating semen inflammation. Moreover, patients recovered from mild and/or severe COVID-19 showed significantly reduced semen volume, lower total sperm counts, and impaired sperm motility and viability. Interestingly, all observed alterations returned to baseline values after 3 or more months after disease recovery. Discussion: These results indicate that COVID-19 associates with semen inflammation and impaired semen quality early after disease. However, long COVID-19 seems not to include long-term detrimental consequences on male fertility potential since the observed alterations were reversible after 1-2 spermatogenesis cycles. These data constitute compelling evidence allowing a better understanding of COVID-19 associated sequelae, fundamental for semen collection in assisted reproduction.

Sífilis infecciosa en la ciudad de Recreo, Departamento La Paz, Provincia de Catamarca, Argentina / Infectious syphilis in Recreo city, Department La Paz, Catamarca Province, Argentina

La sífilis, aun siendo fácil de diagnosticar y tratar, es causa de morbilidad y mortalidad en el mundo y su prevalencia sigue en aumento. Objetivos: Determinar la proporción de infectados con Treponema pallidum según sexo y edad y su relación con factores de riesgo. Métodos: 148 pacientes (47% varones, 53% mujeres, entre 16 y 60 años), pruebas de VDRL y ELISA, registro de datos demográficos, clínicos, conductas de riesgo. Resultados: primera prueba de VDRL en el 78,38% de los participantes. Casos de sífilis confirmados: 10 (6,76%); 70% mujeres, entre ellas 57,4% embarazadas; 70% entre 16 y 24 años de edad; 50% con nivel secundario completo y con VDRL previa; 70% con pareja sexual estable; edad temprana de inicio de actividad sexual (≤ 16); ausencia de uso de preservativo siempre. Conclusión: Se evidencia la necesidad de realizar controles serológicos e implementar un abordaje interdisciplinario en la prevención y tratamiento, principalmente en jóvenes[AU]

Syphilis, even easy to diagnose and treat, is a cause of morbidity and mortality in the world and its prevalence continues to increase. Objectives: To determine the proportion of infected with Treponema pallidum by sex and age and its relationship with risk factors. Methods: 148 patients (47% men, 53% women, between 16 and 60 years old), VDRL and ELISA tests, demographic and clinical data, risk behaviors record. Results: first VDRL test in 78.38% of patients. Syphilis cases: 10 (6.76%): 70% women, including 57.4% pregnant; 70% between 16 and 24 years of age; 50% completed secondary level and with previous VDRL; 70% stable sexual partner; early age of onset of sexual activity (≤ 16); absence of condom use always. Conclusion: it is evident the necessity of perform serological controls and interdisciplinary approach on prevention and treatment, mainly in young people[AU]

Sífilis, embora de fácil diagnóstico e tratamento, é causa de morbidade e mortalidade no mundo e sua prevalência continua aumentando. Objetivos: Determinar a proporção de pessoas infectadas pelo Treponema pallidum segundo sexo e idade e sua relação com fatores de risco. Métodos: 148 pacientes (47% homens, 53% mulheres, entre 16 e 60 anos), testes VDRL e ELISA, registro de dados demográficos e clínicos, comportamentos de risco. Resultados: primeiro teste de VDRL em 78,38% dos participantes. Casos de sífilis confirmados: 10 (6,76%); 70% mulheres, incluindo 57,4% grávidas; 70% entre 16 e 24 anos; 50% com nível médio completo e com VDRL anterior; 70% com parceiro sexual estável; idade precoce de início da atividade sexual (≤ 16); ausência de uso de preservativo sempre. Conclusão: Fica evidente a necessidade de realizar controles sorológicos e implementar uma abordagem interdisciplinar na prevenção e tratamento, principalmente em jovens[AU]

[Hyperkeratotic vascular malformations. Presentation of three cases]. / Malformaciones vasculares hiperqueratósicas. Aportación de 3 casos.

Hyperkeratotic vascular malformations (verrucous hemangiomas) are infrequent vascular lesions present from birth. Initially, they are reminiscent of port wine stains or childhood hemangioma, but over time they gradually take on their typical warty and hyperkeratotic appearance. These changes are probably due to trauma, scratching and bleeding episodes. Because the lesion is deep and goes beyond the clinical lesion, treatment is difficult and involves many recurrences. We present three cases of this vascular malformation, in two males aged 45 and 62 and a 30-year-old female. All three had the lesion from birth, and presented with frequent bleeding episodes.