Title:Association between Chlamydia trachomatis Infection and Male Infertility:
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Volume: 23
Issue: 6
Author(s): Masoud Keikha, Seyed-Abolfazl Hosseininasab-Nodoushan and Amirhossein Sahebkar*
Affiliation:
- Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences,
Mashhad, Iran
- School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
- Department of Biotechnology,
School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Keywords:
Chlamydia trachomatis, infertility, infection, meta-analysis, sperm, prevalence.
Abstract:
Background: Chlamydia trachomatis infection is one of the most common sexually
transmitted diseases. There is widespread evidence in recent years that indicate C. trachomatis
infection plays a role in sperm dysfunction and poor sperm quality. However, some controversial
documents have argued the role of infection with this bacterium in male infertility.
Methods: A full comprehensive electronic search was performed using the online databases Web
of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar, without considering the time limits.
Results: In the present study, 56 articles were finally found to be eligible. The prevalence of C.
trachomatis infection in the infertile males was estimated at 20.6% (19.8-21.5 with 95% CIs; p-
Value: 0.01; I2: 97.77; Q-Value: 237.8; p-Value: 0.01; Begg's p-Value: 0.09; Egger's p-Value:
0.01) in overall. We have also shown that infection with C. trachomatis can significantly increase
the risk of infertility in men (OR: 2.28; 1.90-2.72 with 95% CIs; p-Value: 0.001; I2: 81.61; QValue:
59.81; p-Value: 0.01; Begg's p-Value: 0.73; Egger's p-Value: 0.61).
Conclusion: We showed a high prevalence of C. trachomatis in the sperm and semen samples of
infertile men, and C. trachomatis infection is associated with a significantly higher risk of infertility
in men.