Schistosoma haematobium ova in human semen: a case report.

OBJECTIVE

To report a rare case of schistosomiasis observed during semen evaluation.

DESIGN

Case report.

SETTING

University hospital.

PATIENTS: A 30-year-old man referred for semen analysis.

INTERVENTIONSS: None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURESS: Poor sperm motility and viability.

RESULTS

The patient produced 9.8 mL of brown colored semen with a bad odor. Total and progressive sperm motility were 9% and 2%, respectively. Sperm concentration was 112 million/mL. Microscopic semen evaluation showed slight sperm agglutination, a large number of Schistosoma haematobium ova, extensive debris, and a large numberot of amorphous cells. Approximately 20 million/mL of neutrophils were observed in the ejaculate. The sperm viability was extremely low (13%). Sperm morphology was 6% normal, and most abnormal sperm had coiled tails in addition to other abnormalities.

CONCLUSIONS

A microscopic examination of semen from suspected Schistosoma haematobium-infected patients may not only help in confirming diagnosis but may also highlight the underlying infertility due to this infestation. Such cases are rarely observed in andrology laboratories; therefore, it is important to train all testing staff on rare semen samples.