Bacterial Isolates Associated with Infertility among Males Attending Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State
- Akpa, E. N.1; Elom, M. O.2; Usanga V. U.1; Kalu, M. E.1; *Agumah, N. B.3
- DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.20572646
- ISA Journal of Medical Sciences (ISAJMS)
Male infertility is a major public health concern, with bacterial infections increasingly recognized as contributors to impaired semen quality. Male infertility arises from a combination of genetic, environmental, and infectious factors, with bacterial infections posing particular concern due to their capacity to damage sperm cells and the male reproductive tract. Infertility is commonly categorized as either primary or secondary. Primary infertility refers to the inability to conceive or achieve impregnation, whereas secondary infertility describes the inability to conceive following a previous successful pregnancyThe emergence of antimicrobial resistance among semen-associated pathogens further complicates effective management. This study investigated the distribution of bacterial isolates associated with male infertility among patients attending Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. A total of 270 semen samples were collected and analyzed using standard microbiological techniques. Bacterial growth was detected in 229 (84.8%) samples, while 41 (15.2%) showed no growth. The predominant bacterial isolates were Staphylococcus aureus (29.0%) and Escherichia coli (14.5%), with Klebsiella pneumoniae and Streptococcus pneumoniae each accounting for 8.6%. Although the study does not establish a causal relationship between bacteriospermia and infertility, it provides important descriptive evidence of the microbiological profile of semen isolates in this setting. Overall, the findings support the incorporation of routine microbiological evaluation and susceptibility testing as part of infertility work-up where feasible.