AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH
Original Article
Sep 23, 2026 2 0

Studies on Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection among Infertile Males in Benin City, Nigeria

Helen Oroboghae Ogefere 1,
Osaigbovo Edogun 1 2,
James Agbonmwanre Osaikhuwuomwan 3,
Richard Omoregie 4 *
1 Department of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria2 Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria3 Human Reproduction Research Program Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria4 Medical Microbiology Division, Medical Laboratory Services, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria* Corresponding Author
Australian Journal of Biomedical Research, 2(3), 2026, aubm027, https://doi.org/10.63946/aubiomed/19354
Publication date: Sep 23, 2026
Full Text (PDF)

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Chlamydia trachomatis is a major cause of sexually transmitted infection. This study aimed to ascertain the association of Chlamydia trachomatis with semen health in males seeking fertility assistance and to compare two diagnostic tests for current infection.
Methods: Blood and urine samples were collected from 197 male spouses in childless unions and screened for Chlamydia trachomatis IgG antibodies and antigens respectively. Semen was also collected from the participants to determine their semen health.
Results: Chlamydial antigens were detected in urine samples from 7 (3.55%) participants. Chlamydial antibodies were detected in blood samples in 16 (8.12%) of patients. The presence of Chlamydia trachomatis antigens and antibodies were not affected by age of the participants as well as their duration of marriage (p>0.05). Current Chlamydia trachomatis infection was associated with volume of seminal fluid (OR=34.88, 95%CI=5.79, 210.00; p<0.0001), abnormal morphology (OR=235.00, 95%CI=27.31, 2022.00; p<0.0001), reduced motility (OR=5715.00, 95%CI=105.90, 308400.00; p<0.0001) and reduced sperm count (OR=1134.00, 95%CI=63.07, 20390.00; p<0.0001).
Conclusion: The prevalence of past and current Chlamydia trachomatis infection in this study was 5.58%and 3.55% respectively. Current C. trachomatis infection resulted in abnormal seminal fluid analysis parameters, albeit, this should be interpreted with caution due to the small number of positive cases. Measures to reduce or eliminate chlamydial infections are advocated.

KEYWORDS

Chlamydia trachomatis Infertility Antibodies Antigens Prevalence

CITATION (Vancouver)

Ogefere HO, Edogun O, Osaikhuwuomwan JA, Omoregie R. Studies on Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection among Infertile Males in Benin City, Nigeria. Australian Journal of Biomedical Research. 2026;2(3):aubm027. https://doi.org/10.63946/aubiomed/19354
APA
Ogefere, H. O., Edogun, O., Osaikhuwuomwan, J. A., & Omoregie, R. (2026). Studies on Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection among Infertile Males in Benin City, Nigeria. Australian Journal of Biomedical Research, 2(3), aubm027. https://doi.org/10.63946/aubiomed/19354
Harvard
Ogefere, H. O., Edogun, O., Osaikhuwuomwan, J. A., and Omoregie, R. (2026). Studies on Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection among Infertile Males in Benin City, Nigeria. Australian Journal of Biomedical Research, 2(3), aubm027. https://doi.org/10.63946/aubiomed/19354
AMA
Ogefere HO, Edogun O, Osaikhuwuomwan JA, Omoregie R. Studies on Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection among Infertile Males in Benin City, Nigeria. Australian Journal of Biomedical Research. 2026;2(3), aubm027. https://doi.org/10.63946/aubiomed/19354
Chicago
Ogefere, Helen Oroboghae, Osaigbovo Edogun, James Agbonmwanre Osaikhuwuomwan, and Richard Omoregie. "Studies on Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection among Infertile Males in Benin City, Nigeria". Australian Journal of Biomedical Research 2026 2 no. 3 (2026): aubm027. https://doi.org/10.63946/aubiomed/19354
MLA
Ogefere, Helen Oroboghae et al. "Studies on Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection among Infertile Males in Benin City, Nigeria". Australian Journal of Biomedical Research, vol. 2, no. 3, 2026, aubm027. https://doi.org/10.63946/aubiomed/19354

REFERENCES

  1. Agarwal A, Majzoub A, Parekh N, Henkel R. A schematic overview of the current status of male infertility practice. World J Mens Health. 2020;38(3):308-322. https://doi.org/10.5534/wjmh.190068
  2. Uadia PO, Emokpae MA. Male infertility in Nigeria: a neglected reproductive health issue requiring attention. J Basic Clin Reprod Sci. 2015;4(2):45-53. https://doi.org/10.4103/2278-960X.161042
  3. World Health Organization. Infertility prevalence estimates, 1990–2021. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2023. Available from: https://iris.who.int/server/api/core/bitstreams/a22ced65-46b1-4482-bf85-058719fec649/content
  4. Emokpae MA, Uadia PO, Mohammed AZ. Hormonal evaluations and endometrial biopsy in infertile women in Kano, northern Nigeria: a comprehensive study. Ann Afr Med. 2005;4(3):99-103.
  5. Emokpae MA, Uadia PO, Omale-Itodo A, Orok TN. Male infertility and endocrinopathies in Kano, Northern Nigeria. Ann Afr Med. 2007;6(2):64-67. https://doi.org/10.4103/1596-3519.55714
  6. Yunusa PI, Umeh EU, Yaji ME, Omatola CA. Prevalence and host-related factors of Chlamydia trachomatis infection among fertile and infertile people in Ankpa, Kogi State, Nigeria. Microb Infect Dis. 2025;6(3):6012-6022.
  7. Joki-Korpela P, Sahrakorpi N, Halttunen M, Surcel HM, Paavonen J, Tiitinen A. The role of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in male infertility. Fertil Steril. 2009;91(4):1448-1450. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.06.051
  8. Srivastava P, Jha R, Bas S, Salhan S, Mittal A. In infertile women, cells from Chlamydia trachomatis infected site release higher levels of interferon-gamma, interleukin-10 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha upon heat shock protein stimulation than fertile women. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2008;6:20. https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7827-6-20
  9. Debattista J, Timms P, Allan J, Allan J. Immunopathogenesis of Chlamydia trachomatis infections in women. Fertil Steril. 2003;79(6):1273-1287. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0015-0282(03)00396-0
  10. Pellati D, Mylonakis I, Bertoloni G, Fiore C, Andrisani A, Ambrosini G, Armanini D. Genital tract infections and infertility. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2008;140(1):3-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2008.03.009
  11. Malhotra M, Sood S, Mukherjee A, Muralidhar S, Bala M. Genital Chlamydia trachomatis: an update. Indian J Med Res. 2013;138(3):303-316.
  12. Dohle GR. Inflammatory-associated obstructions of the male reproductive tract. Andrologia. 2003;35(5):321-324. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0272.2003.tb00866.x
  13. Cooper TG, Noonan E, von Eckardstein S, Auger J, Baker HW, Behre HM, Haugen TB, Kruger T, Wang C, Mbizvo MT, Vogelsong KM. World Health Organization reference values for human semen characteristics. Hum Reprod Update. 2010;16(3):231-245. https://doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmp048
  14. Samplaski MK, Domes T, Jarvi KA. Chlamydial infection and its role in male infertility. Adv Androl. 2014;2014:11. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/307950
  15. World Health Organization. WHO laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen. 5th ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2010.
  16. Keikha M, Hosseininasab-Nodoushan SA, Sahebkar A. Association between Chlamydia trachomatis infection and male infertility: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Mini Rev Med Chem. 2023;23(6):746-755. https://doi.org/10.2174/1389557522666220827160659
  17. Azonbakin S, Adjagba M, N'bouke D, Amoussou M, Goussanou Y, Agbanlinsou A, Dossou JP, Laleye A. Chlamydia trachomatis infection in infertile men from Cotonou, Benin. Afr J Reprod Health. 2025;29(4):89-95. https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i4.8
  18. Eley A, Pacey AA. The value of testing semen for Chlamydia trachomatis in men of infertile couples. Int J Androl. 2011;34(5):391-401. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2605.2010.01099.x
  19. Senior K. Chlamydia: a much underestimated STI. Lancet Infect Dis. 2012;12(7):517-518. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(12)70161-5
  20. Adebisi OY, Singh M, Tobler KJ. Female infertility. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556033/
  21. Eley A. How to detect Chlamydia trachomatis in males? J Androl. 2011;32(1):15-22.
  22. Pang Y, Shui J, Li C, Li Y, Chen H, Tang S. The serodiagnostic value of Chlamydia trachomatis antigens in antibody detection using luciferase immunosorbent assay. Front Public Health. 2024;12:1333559. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1333559
  23. Holster T, Joki-Korpela P, Yu H, Brunham RC, Tiitinen A, Paavonen J, Puolakkainen M. Serum IgG1 and IgG3 antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis Pgp3 and Hsp60 in men of subfertile couples. J Infect Dis. 2026;233(2):e301-e310. https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaf535
  24. De Barbeyrac B, Papaxanthos-Roche A, Mathieu C, Germain C, Brun JL, Gachet M, Mayer G, Bebear C, Chene G, Hocke C. Chlamydia trachomatis in subfertile couples undergoing an in vitro fertilization program: a prospective study. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2006;129(1):46-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2006.02.014
  25. Idahl A, Boman J, Kumlin U, Olofsson JI. Demonstration of Chlamydia trachomatis IgG antibodies in the male partner of the infertile couple is correlated with a reduced likelihood of achieving pregnancy. Hum Reprod. 2004;19(5):1121-1126. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deh155
  26. Sripada S, Logan S, McGillivray S, McKenzie H, Templeton A, Hamilton M, Sutherland A, Bhattacharya S. Opportunistic screening for Chlamydia trachomatis in men attending three different secondary health care settings. Sex Transm Infect. 2007;83(4):282-285. https://doi.org/10.1136/sti.2006.020149
  27. Cengiz T, Aydoganli L, Baykam M, Mungan NA, Tuncbilek E, Dincer M, Yakupoglu K, Akalin Z. Chlamydial infections and male infertility. Int Urol Nephrol. 1997;29(6):687-693. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02552187
  28. Gallegos G, Ramos B, Santiso R, Goyanes V, Gosalvez J, Fernandez JL. Sperm DNA fragmentation in infertile men with genitourinary infection by Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma. Fertil Steril. 2008;90(2):328-334.
  29. Cunningham KA, Beagley KW. Male genital tract chlamydial infection: implications for pathology and infertility. Biol Reprod. 2008;79(2):180-189. https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.108.067835
  30. Okoror LE. Geographical distribution/seasonal variation and characterization of Chlamydia in Nigeria. Saarbrücken: VDM Publishing; 2010.
  31. Okoror LE, Agbonlahor DE. High prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in the sperm of males with low sperm count in Nigeria. J Med Microbiol Diagn. 2012;1:108. https://doi.org/10.4172/2161-0703.1000108
  32. Huang S. Impact of Chlamydia trachomatis on male fertility. Adv Tech Clin Microbiol. 2017;1:2.

LICENSE

Creative Commons License
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.