Fast Facts - Infection and Infertility

PATHCHAT Edition
Published: 2024
Please contact your local Ampath pathologist for more information.

The Role of Infection in Infertility

✅ How Infection Affects Fertility

• Infections cause inflammation, which can impact both male and female reproductive health.
• Early detection and treatment are critical to preventing irreversible structural damage.

📌 Testing for infectious agents in both men and women is essential for managing infertility.

Female Infertility and Infections

✅ Key Facts About Infection-Related Female Infertility

• Infection of the fallopian tubes affects ~15% of women of reproductive age.
• Approximately 2.5% of affected women will become infertile by age 35.
• The most important sexually transmitted infections (STIs) linked to female infertility include:
  • Chlamydia trachomatis.
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
• Other infections contributing to infertility and adverse pregnancy outcomes include:
  • Bacterial vaginosis (BV).
  • Trichomoniasis.
  • Candidiasis.
  • Genital Mycoplasma infections.

📌 Untreated infections increase the risk of acquiring HIV and can lead to permanent reproductive damage.

Male Infertility and Infections

✅ Key Facts About Infection-Related Male Infertility

• Infections of the male genito-urinary tract account for ~15% of male infertility cases.
• Infections can affect:
  • Testes.
  • Epididymis.
  • Accessory sex glands.
• Impact on sperm health:
  • Interferes with sperm development, maturation, and motility.
• Major sexually transmitted causes of male infertility:
  • Chlamydia trachomatis.
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
• Non-STI causes:
  • Non-sexually transmitted epididymo-orchitis can also lead to infertility.

📌 Infections can be asymptomatic in men and women, making early testing crucial.

Why Testing for Infections is Important

✅ Key Reasons for Testing

• Men and women of all ages can be tested.
• Testing is necessary for both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals.
• Early testing enables timely treatment to prevent infertility.
• Test results are available within 72 hours.
• Medical aid schemes may cover the cost (partially or fully).

📌 Once structural damage occurs in the reproductive tract, it may be irreversible—early diagnosis is key.

Available Infection Testing Options at Ampath

✅ Microscopy and Culture

• Specimen types: Vaginal swab, urethral swab, semen.
• Detects:
  • Bacterial vaginosis (BV).
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
  • Other bacteria associated with genital infections.
  • Candidiasis.
  • Trichomonas vaginalis.

✅ Bacterial Vaginosis PCR

• Specimen type: Dry vaginal swab.
• Detects:
  • Lactobacillus species.
  • BV-associated bacteria.
  • Candidiasis.
  • Trichomonas vaginalis.

✅ Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) PCR

• Specimen types: Urine and genital swabs.
• Detects:
  • Chlamydia trachomatis.
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
  • Mycoplasma genitalium.
  • Mycoplasma hominis.
  • Ureaplasma urealyticum.
  • Ureaplasma parvum.
  • Trichomonas vaginalis.

✅ Genital Ulcer Multiplex PCR

• Specimen types: Genital ulcer swabs, bubo aspirate, rectal swabs.
• Detects:
  • Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1, HSV-2).
  • Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV).
  • Cytomegalovirus (CMV).
  • Treponema pallidum (syphilis).
  • Haemophilus ducreyi (chancroid).
  • Chlamydia trachomatis serovars L1–3 (lymphogranuloma venereum).

📌 Ampath offers a wide range of infection screening tests to support targeted treatment for affected patients.

Contact Information

✅ For more information or to arrange testing, contact:

• Ampath Customer Care: 012 678 1000
• Visit: ampath.co.za

📌 Timely testing and treatment can prevent infection-related infertility and improve reproductive health outcomes.