Pyospermia and preterm, prelabor, rupture of membranes.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the possible association between presence of clinically unrecognized, specific genito-urinary tract microorganisms in men and preterm, prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) in their spouses.

STUDY

DESIGN

Case control study. Eleven couples with PPROM were enrolled in the case group and 18 couples with normal pregnancies in the control group. For each man, samples of urine and semen were collected and a urethra swab was obtained. Microbiological assessment included, for each woman, cultures from vagina/cervix, urine and placenta. A smear from the vagina was obtained.

RESULTS

In the case group, pyospermia was found in three men. Two of these men, as well as their spouses, were Chlamydia trachomatis positive, and in the third man no microorganisms could be detected. None of the controls had pyospermia (p = 0.045). Among the eight cases without pyospermia one man and one women with Chlamydia trachomatis was found, but their spouses were negative. In the control group, no Chlamydia trachomatis was detected (p = 0.014). Among the women two cases and one control had positive culture of Group B streptococci (NS).

CONCLUSION

We suggest that the genital microflora of the man is associated with PPROM.