Spermiological, Bacteriological Profiles and Antibiotic Resistance Phenotypes of Isolates from Semen Cultures at the China-Guinea Friendship Hospital of Kipé in Conakry

Abstract

Background and Aims: Male infertility is a significant global health issue, accounting for nearly 50% of couple infertility. Bacterial contamination of semen, from infections, poor hygiene, sexual transmission, or medical procedures, can impair male reproductive health. This study aimed to determine the spermiological profiles and antibiotic resistance phenotypes of bacteria isolated from semen cultures of patients at the Sino-Guinean Friendship Hospital of Kipé (HASIGUI), Conakry. Study Design: A retrospective descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: Biomedical Laboratory of HASIGUI, over a period of nine years and three months, from July 16, 2012 to October 7, 2021. Methodology: A total of 157 semen samples were subjected to culture, of which 95 were positive, representing a positivity rate of 60.50%. Bacterial identification, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were performed using the VITEK® 2 Compact automated system. Results: The mean age of patients was 34.93 ± 10.30 years, with ages ranging from 16 to 68 years. The most represented age group was 26–35 years (36.8%). The main sperm abnormalities observed included oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, oligoasthenozoospermia, asthenoteratozoospermia, oligoteratozoospermia, azoospermia, oligozoospermia, and asthenozoospermia. A total of 30 bacterial species were identified, with Staphylococcus aureus (16.8%), Staphylococcus haemolyticus (12%), and Staphylococcus xylosus (12%) being the most prevalent. All isolates were resistant to benzylpenicillin. High resistance rates were also observed for penicillin (89.47%), oxacillin (82.26%), ampicillin (76.19%), tetracycline (75%), ofloxacin (73%), and erythromycin (70%), with generally elevated MIC values. Conclusion: The findings reveal a wide diversity of sperm abnormalities and multidrug-resistant bacterial species, predominantly staphylococci. These results highlight the need for antibiotic therapy guided by antimicrobial susceptibility testing.