Assessment of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in asymptomatic male partners of infertile couples.

Three specimens from 111 asymptomatic male partners of infertile couples attending the Department of Urology in Amiens, France, were examined by the PCR COBAS AMPLICOR test (Roche Molecular Diagnostics) for the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis. The specimens analysed were: first void urine (FVU), urine obtained after prostatic massage (UPM) and semen specimens. Serum from each patient was also obtained and analysed for the presence of IgG and IgA chlamydial antibodies by in-house microimmunofluorescence (MIF) and pELISA. C. trachomatis was detected by PCR in 5.4% of FVU samples, 2.7% of semen specimens and in 0.9% of UPM samples. Two treatments for processing the samples (storage at -70 degrees C and heating to 95 degrees C) were routinely used before initial testing to reduce the effects of inhibitors of PCR. Despite these precautions, the PCR method revealed the presence of inhibitors in 7.3% of semen specimens and 3.6% of FVU samples. C. trachomatis was detected by PCR COBAS AMPLICOR in seven of 111 patients (6.3%) and by serology in five of 111 patients (4.5%). The detection of C. trachomatis in FVU, UPM and semen specimens can serve as a marker for the presence of this organism in the genital tract, and can be used as a reliable way of detecting asymptomatic carriers of infection.