Bacteriological Profile and Antimicrobial Resistance of Semen Infections among Infertility Cases before and during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Background; Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among bacteria causing male genitourinary infections has the potential to affect male fertility. The objective of this work is to determine differences in AMR patterns of bacteria causing bacteriospermia in infertile men before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This is an observational comparative study in which AMR of non-duplicate semen cultures from infertility cases before and during COVID-19 is presented. The COVID-19 cases are defined as per the protocol of the Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP) in Egypt. Antimicrobial susceptibility reporting was performed in agreement with the Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI, 2020). Results; A total of 176 samples were processed during the study period. 108 (61.4%) and 68 (38.6%) were of pre- and during the COVID-19 era. The commonest pathogens isolated were S. Aureus [60 (55.6%) and 40 (58.8%)], S. epidermidis [12 (11.1%) and 8 (11.8%)] and for N.gonorrhoea [11 (10.2%) and 6 (8.8%)] in pre-and during the COVID -19 period respectively. Significant antimicrobial resistance were observed for Nalidixic acid (P <0.001), Erythromycin (P <0.001) and Clarithromycin (P <0.001). Similar significant resistance were observed for Cefepime’ (P <0.001) and Meropenem (P <0.001) antibiotics. Further, 22 (20.4%) isolates were multi-drug-resistant during the COVID-19 period. Conclusion; Pathogens presented significant levels of AMR in pre- and during the COVID-19 era. Further research with control groups is needed to better understand the effects of COVID-19 on male fertility.