Association between Human Papillomavirus and Chlamydia trachomatis genital infections in male partners of infertile couples

OLIVERA CAROLINA; MOLINA ROSA; CUFFINI, CECILIA GABRIELA; PAIRA DANIELA; MOTRICH RUBÉN; MOSMANN, JESSICA PAOLA; TISSERA ANDREA; RIVERO, VIRGINIA

Scientific Reports

Nature Publishing Group

Año: 2021 vol. 11

The prevalence of HPV infection and its relationship with other sexually transmitted infections was analyzed in a cohort of 117 male partners of infertile couples from Cordoba, Argentina. Semen samples and urethral swabs were obtained and the infection with HPV, Chlamydia trachomatis, HSV1, HSV2, Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum was analyzed. A prevalence of HPV infection of 27.4% was found. Interestingly, infections by exclusively low risk HPV genotypes or high/intermediate risk HPV genotypes were present in 64.5% and 22.6% of cases, respectively. Low risk-HPV6 was the most frequently detected genotype. Remarkably, HPV and C. trachomatis infections were significantly associated to each other (OR: 11.55, 95%CI: 1.14-117.06). No significant differences in sperm quality were found between HPV-positive and HPV-negative patients. Our results show a high prevalence of HPV urogenital infection among male partners of infertile couples, and that HPV and C. trachomatis infections are reciprocal risk factors of their co-infection. HPV infection does not impair sperm quality but since men provide a reservoir for continued transmission of C. trachomatis and HPV to women, our study underlines the need for routine screening and monitoring of male partners of infertile couples for these two pathogens.