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Biomedical subjects

U Kumlin

Publications and source records attributed to U Kumlin.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Male serum Chlamydia trachomatis IgA and IgG, but not heat shock protein 60 IgG, correlates with negatively affected semen characteristics and lower pregnancy rates in the infertile couple.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate whether serum Chlamydia trachomatis immunoglobulin-A (IgA), IgM and C. trachomatis heat shock protein 60 (CHSP60) IgG are of additional value to C. trachomatis IgG regarding the impact on fecundity in infertile couples, and to relate C. trachomatis serum antibodies to semen characteristics, diagnoses and pregnancy outcome. METHODS: A total of 226 infertile couples, previously tested for C. trachomatis IgG, were tested for C. trachomatis IgA, IgM and CHSP60 IgG, and semen samples from all men were analysed. RESULTS: Chlamydia trachomatis serum IgA in men (but not in women) correlated with reduced chances of achieving pregnancy [p = 0.021, relative risk (RR) =0.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.42-1.005] and in combination with C. trachomatis IgG the chance was further reduced (p =0.001, RR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.15-0.84). Chlamydia trachomatis serum IgA was also significantly correlated with reduced motility of the spermatozoa (-8.7%, p = 0.023), increased number of dead spermatozoa (+10.5%, p = 0.014) and higher prevalence of leucocytes in semen (+122%, p = 0.005), and in combination with C. trachomatis IgG positivity, there was also a decrease in sperm concentration (-35%, p = 0.033), the number of progressive spermatozoa (-14.8%, p = 0.029) and a rise in the teratozoospermia index (+4.4%, p = 0.010). CHSP60 IgG correlated with reduced motility (-5.6%, p = 0.033), and in the women to tubal factor infertility (p = 0.033), but no correlations of C. trachomatis serum IgM or CHSP60 IgG with pregnancy rates were found. CONCLUSIONS: Chlamydia trachomatis serum IgA in the male partner of the infertile couple has an additive value to IgG in predicting pregnancy chances, and serum IgA and IgG are associated with subtle negative changes in semen characteristics.

Adult↗

Demonstration of Chlamydia trachomatis IgG antibodies in the male partner of the infertile couple is correlated with a reduced likelihood of achieving pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis among both men and women seeking help at an infertility clinic, and to prospectively follow the effect of previous infection on pregnancy rates and pregnancy outcome after a long follow-up period (mean 37 months). METHODS: A total of 244 infertile couples was tested for C. trachomatis IgG antibodies, and IgG(+) couples were also tested for C. trachomatis DNA by PCR in a first-void urine sample. Study parameters were serology, PCR results, clinical diagnoses, treatments, pregnancy rates and pregnancy outcome. As controls, age-matched and spontaneously pregnant women were also tested with serology. RESULTS: The prevalence of IgG antibodies was 24.2, 20.1 and 15.6% among infertile women, infertile men and control women respectively. The prevalence of C. trachomatis DNA was 6.8 and 7.1% among tested women and men respectively. The presence of C. trachomatis IgG antibodies in women was related to tubal factor infertility (TFI) (P = 0.002). Decreased pregnancy rates were seen in couples where the man was IgG(+) (P = 0.005) with no relationship to TFI. Among women who achieved pregnancy, there was no difference in pregnancy outcome between IgG(+) or negative couples. CONCLUSIONS: C. trachomatis IgG antibodies in the man of the infertile couple was related to decreased pregnancy rates and to the presence of IgG antibodies in the woman. There was a high prevalence of asymptomatic persistent infections among infertile couples.

Adult↗

High prevalence of Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with cardiovascular disease and in middle-aged blood donors.

Nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) demonstrated the presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae-specific DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). PBMC samples were obtained from 103 consecutive patients (62 male, 41 female) aged 22-85 years (mean, 64) admitted for coronary angiography because of suspected coronary heart disease and from 52 blood donors (43 male, 9 female) aged 40-64 years (mean, 49). Of the 101 evaluable patients, 60 (59%) were identified by nPCR assay as C. pneumoniae DNA carriers; C. pneumoniae-specific microimmunofluorescence (MIF) serology confirmed exposure to the bacterium in 57 (95%) of the 60 nPCR-positive patients. Among the 52 blood donors, the nPCR assay identified 24 (46%) C. pneumoniae DNA carriers, all of whom were positive by C. pneumoniae-specific serology. Thirty-two patients (32%) and 23 blood donors (44%) were MIF antibody-positive but repeatedly nPCR-negative; Bartonella henselae- or Bartonella quintana-specific antibodies were not detected among any of these subjects. In this study, C. pneumoniae DNA was common in PBMC of patients with coronary heart disease and in middle-aged blood donors.

Adult↗

CD4 lymphopenia in a patient with cryptococcal osteomyelitis.

Cryptococcus neoformans is a rarely reported cause of osteomyelitis. In most cases, no obvious underlying condition is found. Immunological laboratory data, however, are not generally available. In the present case of cryptococcal osteomyelitis, idiopathic CD4 lymphopenia was detected. This immunodeficiency is found in cases of disseminated cryptococcosis by chance. Possibly, it may be one so far unrecognized underlying condition in cryptococcal osteomyelitis.

Aged↗