Faculty Collaboration Database

Sensitive simultaneous detection of seven sexually transmitted agents in semen by multiplex-PCR and of HPV by single PCR. PLoS One 2014;9(6):e98862

Date

06/13/2014

Pubmed ID

24921247

Pubmed Central ID

PMC4055596

DOI

10.1371/journal.pone.0098862

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84903386151 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   64 Citations

Abstract

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) may impair sperm parameters and functions thereby promoting male infertility. To date limited molecular studies were conducted to evaluate the frequency and type of such infections in semen Thus, we aimed at conceiving and validating a multiplex PCR (M-PCR) assay for the simultaneous detection of the following STD pathogens in semen: Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium, Trichomonas vaginalis, Herpes virus simplex (HSV) -1 and -2, and Treponema pallidum; We also investigated the potential usefulness of this M-PCR assay in screening programs for semen pathogens. In addition, we aimed: to detect human Papillomavirus (HPV) and genotypes by single PCR (sPCR) in the same semen samples; to determine the prevalence of the seven STDs, HPV and co-infections; to assess the possibility that these infections affect semen parameters and thus fertility. The overall validation parameters of M-PCR were extremely high including agreement (99.2%), sensitivity (100.00%), specificity (99.70%), positive (96.40%) and negative predictive values (100.00%) and accuracy (99.80%). The prevalence of STDs was very high (55.3%). Furthermore, associations were observed between STDs and changes in semen parameters, highlighting the importance of STD detection in semen. Thus, this M-PCR assay has great potential for application in semen screening programs for pathogens in infertility and STD clinics and in sperm banks.

Author List

Gimenes F, Medina FS, Abreu AL, Irie MM, Esquiçati IB, Malagutti N, Vasconcellos VR, Discacciati MG, Bonini MG, Maria-Engler SS, Consolaro ME

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Alphapapillomavirus
Chlamydia trachomatis
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction
Mycoplasma genitalium
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Semen
Sensitivity and Specificity
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Simplexvirus
Treponema