• Title/Summary/Keyword: Infection specimen

Search Result 136, Processing Time 0.03 seconds

THE INFLUENCE OF INSTRUMENTATION IN THE CANAL ON THE EXTENSION OF INFECTION (근관내(根管內) 기계조작(器械操作)이 감염확산(感染擴散)에 미치는 영향(影響))

  • Kim, Yung-Hai
    • Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
    • /
    • v.10 no.1
    • /
    • pp.177-181
    • /
    • 1984
  • This study was to confirm the influence of intracanal instrumentation whether the pulp infection could be extended to periapical tissue. Fifty three teeth (24 badly decayed and infected, 29 sound teeth) were employed for this experiment and grouped as follows; 1. The specimen taken from the tip of 12 infected pulp in which reamer was inserted to the canal up to apical 1/3 and cultured as long as 48 hours. After 24 hours culture 11 cases were positive and 1 ease was negative but the time of incubation elapsed as 48 hours a negative case turned to positive. 2. Broth immersed paper disc was placed for 1 minute on the tip of 12 infected teeth with a reamer inserted to the apical end and cultured as usual manner in the incubator. At 24 hour culture the growth was significant in 9 cases and after 48 hours total 12 cases were positive. 3. Reamer was inserted to apical 1/3 on 14 sterile pulp canals and specimens obtained from the root tip were cultured for 24 and 48 hours. The results on both group were negative. 4. Similar maner with No.3 except reamer tip was rest exactly at the apex revealed only 2 cases of positive at 48 hour culture. 5. The tip of 24 reamers which reached to apical 1/3 and apex of infected canal were cultured for 24 and 48 hours. At 24 hour culture the growth was evident. 6. The tip of 14 reamers which inserted to apical 1/3 of sterile canal showed negative at 24 hour culture. The 15 cases of the tip which reached to the apex of sterile canal were found negative except 3 positive cases at 48 hour culture.

  • PDF

Changes in the Oral Microflora in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia during the Period of Induction Therapy (항암 화학요법중인 급성 골수성 백혈병 환자의 구강내 세균변화에 관한 연구)

  • Byul-Hee Lee;Chong-Youl Kim
    • Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
    • /
    • v.18 no.1
    • /
    • pp.73-82
    • /
    • 1993
  • To investigate the changes in aerobic and facultative anaerobic oral microflora during remission-induction chemotherapy in patients with acute myeloid leukemia, 10 consecutive patients were studied during a period of 28 days. One day before, during and after the induction therapy, patients were given 10% Betadine solution for mouthrinses after breakfast and kept from eating and drinking. After 3 hours, paraffin-stimulated whole saliva was obtained for 2 minutes and transported to the laboratory. The samples were dispersed and homogenized by use of vortex mixer for 20 seconds. From these samples 10-fold serial dilutions (from 10-1 through 10-3) were prepared. Each dilution of 0.1 ml was plated on duplicate set of one nonselective medium (Blood agar) and four selective media (Sabourauds dextrose agar, Mannitol salt agar, Mac-Conkey agar, SF medium ) using applicator woods. All agar plate were incubated at 37$^{\circ}C$ for 48 hours. The total number of microorganisms was calculated and the percentage distribution of the various microorganisms from each specimen was drawn. 1. The salivary flow rate decreased by 66%, going from 5.38 ml/2min to 1.81 ml/2min over two days during the chemotherapy. 2. The total number of microorganisms in saliva increased by 22%, going from 4.88$\times$105/ml to 6.00$\times$105/ml over two days during the chemotherapy. 3. The salivary flow rate and the total number of microorganisms in saliva were recovered within 28 days after the chemotherapy. 4. The quantitative alteration in oral Enterobacteria, Enterococci, Staphylococci, Cndida during the chemotherapy had no statistical significance. 5. In saliva of the patients with acute myeloid leukemia who ahd intraoral ulcer, Enterobacteria was quantitatively predominent. Our study suggests that chemotherapy-induced transient xerostomia may induce acute oral infection. Consequently, the use of saliva substitute, the removal of intraoral infection source and the consistent oral hygiene care seem to be required to avoid the transmission of potential pathogenes in this group of patients.

  • PDF

Analysis of Core Interventions of Operating Room using Nursing Intervention Classification (NIC간호중재분류체계를 이용한 수술실 핵심간호중재분석)

  • Lee, Yoon-Young;Park, Kwang-Ok
    • Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
    • /
    • v.8 no.3
    • /
    • pp.361-372
    • /
    • 2002
  • Purpose : The purpose of study was to identify to analysis of core nursing interventions performed by Operating Room nurses. Method : The subjects of the study were arbitrarily selected nurses(n=104) working in Operating Room. The period for data collection was 15 days from July, 15, 2002 to July, 30. 2002. The instrument for study was 486 Nursing Interventions Classification developed by McClosky & Bulechek(2000) and was translated into Korean. In 486 nursing interventions, 57 nursing interventions were selected by more than half of 47 professional nurses group of Operating Room. 57 nursing interventions were used as a secondary questionnaire. In the secondary questionnaire, labels and definitions of all 57 interventions were listed. The collected data were self reported by Operating Room nurses. The data were analysed with SPSS program. Result : In 57 nursing interventions, the 'Behavior' domain was the most frequently used. Core interventions of Operating Room were performed several times a day by more than 50% of Operating Room nurses. Core interventions of Operating Room were 16 Core interventions, 7 classes, 5 domains. In the core interventions, the 'Physiological:Complex' domain was the most frequently used. Core interventions of Operating Room were Surgical Preperation, Infection Control:Intraoperative, Surgical Precautions, Fall Prevention, Documentation, Surgical Assistance, Environmental Management:Safety, Skin Surveillance, Physical Restraint, Pressure Ulcer Prevention, Environmental Management:Comfort, Infection Protection, Presence, Emotional Support, Specimen Management, Shift Report. Conclusion : Core interventions of Operating Room have implications for nursing care practice, nursing education, nursing research, and nursing information system in Operating Room.

  • PDF

A Study on the Facility and Equipment of Laboratory Medicine in General Hospital - Focused on more than 550 bed sized hospitals (종합병원 진단검사의학과 검사실의 시설 설비 현황 조사 - 550 병상 이상 종합병원을 중심으로)

  • Kim, Youngaee;Song, Sanghoon
    • Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
    • /
    • v.26 no.1
    • /
    • pp.73-84
    • /
    • 2020
  • Purpose: Though Korean healthcare services have been upgraded, infection and fire had been broken out in general hospitals. And higher concerns about quality assessment made it to clinical laboratory design guideline studies. So, this study investigates the facilities, equipment and personnel of laboratory medicine focusing on more than five hundred fifty bed hospital, and contributes to make guidelines for safety and efficiency in lab. Methods: Questionnaires to supervisor technologist and field surveys to medical laboratories in korean hospitals have been conducted for the data collection. 16 answers have been analysed statistically by MS Excel program. Results: Most of the sample tests such as hematology, clinical chemistry, immunology, transfusion, urinalysis, microbiology and molecular diagnosis are performed by more than 80% in large sized general hospital laboratory. In the test methods, automatic analyzers are used up to 80%, total laboratory automation up to 43% in clinical chemistry and immunology, and manual tests in all sorts of the test. There are placed in single lab or two and three labs above the ground, which are all in semi-open lab. There is some correlation with the number of specimens and the number of lab people depending on the number of hospital beds. Laboratory environment shows that work distance is good, but evacuation path width, visibility, separation of staff area from automatic analyzer, and equipment installations are needed to have more spaces and gears. Most of the infection controls are equipped with mechanical ventilation, air-conditioning, washbasin and wastewater separation, BSC installation and negative pressure lab room. Implications: Although the laboratory space area is calculated considering the number of hospital beds, type of tests and number of staff, hospital's expertise and the samples numbers per year should be taken into account in the planning of the hospital.

The Clinical Characteristic and Management of Patients with Nocardiosis in a Tertiary Hospital in China

  • Peilin Liu;Zhiqian Wang;Zijuan Jian;Xuan Liu;Yanming Li;Qun Yan;Baiyun Zhong;Mengting Liao;Xianghui Liang;Wenen Liu
    • Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
    • /
    • v.33 no.5
    • /
    • pp.574-581
    • /
    • 2023
  • Nocardiosis is an uncommon opportunistic bacterial infection which becomes a significant health problem due to its increasing incidence and high mortality rate. However, many nocardiosis patients are underdiagnosed by physicians. To summarize the clinical characteristics and management of nocardiosis would help with better diagnosis and prognosis of nocardiosis. This retrospective study was conducted based on the medical records of nocardiosis patients between January 2015 and December 2021 in a tertiary hospital in China. Overall, 44 nocardiosis patients with 54 specimens were included. The patients consisted of 26 males and 18 females with a mean age of 50.4 ± 13.2 years. Among 44 patients, 26 (59.1%) were previously given immunosuppressive therapy. Connective tissue diseases (CTDs) were the most common underlying disease (16/44). The most frequent infection sites were the lungs (17/44) and skin or soft tissues (8/44). Common symptoms included cough (23/44), expectoration (18/44), fever (15/44), and subcutaneous abscesses (15/44). Forty-five out of 54 specimens (83.3%) required over 48 hours of culture time for nocardiosis detection. Thirty-six patients were cured or improved, 5 patients were discharged from the hospital due to poor prognosis, and 1 patient died. The average diagnosis time of poor prognosis cases was 19.7 days, which was significantly longer than those of improved or cured patients (7.3 days). Immunosuppressed patients comprise a large part of nocardiosis cases, which is worth attention in clinical practice. Early diagnosis, specifically through prolonged cultivation time of specimen, could help achieve better prognosis of nocardiosis patients.

Epidemiological Studies of Clonorchiasis. - I. Current Status and Natural Transition of the Endemicity of Clonorchis sinensis in Gimhae Gun and Delta, a High Endemic area in Korea (간흡충증(肝吸虫症)의 역학(疫學) - I. 고도유행지(高度流行地) 김해지방(金海地方)에 있어서의 간흡충감염(肝吸虫感染)의 현황(現況)과 자연추이(自然推移))

  • Kim, D.C.;Lee, O.Y.;Lee, J.S.;Ahn, J.S.;Chang, Y.M;Son, S.C.;Moon, I.S.
    • Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
    • /
    • v.8 no.1
    • /
    • pp.44-65
    • /
    • 1983
  • As a part of the epidemiological studies of clonorchiasis, this study was conducted to evaluate the current endemicity and the natural transition of the Clonorchis infection in Gimhae Gun and delta area a high endemic area in Korea in recent years, prior to the introduction of praziquantel which will eventually influence the status of the prevalence. The data obtained in this study in 1983 were evaluated for natural transition of the infection in comparison with those obtained 16 years ago in 1967 by the author(Kim, 1974). The areas of investigation, villages and schools surveyed, methods and techniques used in this study were the same as in 1967, except for the contents of the questionnaire for raw freshwater fish consumption by the local inhabitants. 1) The prevalence rate of clonorchiasis in the general population of the villages was 48.1% on the average out of a total of 484 persons examined. The average of those of the riverside-delta area was 65.2% and 43.0% in the inland area. Among the schoolchildren, the prevalence rate was 8.2% on the average out of a total of 1,423 examined. By area, the prevalence rate was 10.8% in the riverside delta area and 2.8% in the inland area. By sex, difference in the prevalence was seen only in the inhabitants of the inland area showing 52.4% in the male and 33.5% in the female. 2) In the natural transition of the infection, the prevalence rate among the inhabitants has decreased from 68.8% in 1967 to 48.1% in 1983, and in the schoolchildren from 56.4% in 1967 to 8.2% in 1983. The reduction rate was higher in the riverside-delta area than in the inland area. 3) In the prevalence rate by age, 11.9% was first seen in the 5-9 age group and the rate gradually increased up to 75.0% in the 50-59 age group. By sex, the rate was higher in the male than in the female in the 20-29 age group and over. 4) In the natural transition of the prevalence rate by age, the reduction rate of the infection during the past 16 years was greater in the younger age groups up to the 40-49 age group and reached the same level in the age group 50-59. Reduction was seen again in the age group over 60s. By sex, the reduction rate was greater in the female than in the male in the 20-29 age group and over. By area, the reduction rate was greater in the riverside delta area than in the inland area, particularly in the young age groups. 5) In the intensity of the infection among the cases, the mean egg out-put per mg feces per infected cases(EPmg) in the inhabitants was 6.3. EPmg of those of the river-side-delta area was 15.4 and that of the in-land was 2.8. On the other hand, in the schoolchildren, EPmg was 3.2, and no difference was seen between the two areas, the river-side-delta area and the inland area. 6) In the transition of the intensity of the infection by area, EPmg among the inhabitants inexplically increased from 7.8 in 1967 to 15.4 in 1983. This was probably caused by uneven specimen collection in the process of sampling the population. EPmg of the inhabitants in the inland area and those of the schoolchildren of both riverside delta and inland areas showed a similar decrease in the past 16 years. 7) The intensity of the infection by age showed a relatively low level in the 20-29 age group and below, and EPmg 5.1-9.5 was seen in the 30-39 age group and over. Sex, Epmg was 5.8 in the male and 4.7 the female. By in 8) In the transition of the intensity of the infection, EPmg decreased from 6.2 in 1967 to 5.4 in 1983. By age, in contrast to the figures of 1967 in which EPmg gradually increased with some fluctuation from 1.1 in the 0-4 age group to peak 10.5 in the 50-59 age group, in 1983 lower intensity of the infection was seen in the age group from 10-14 to 20-29 with the EPmg range of 0.6-2.7. 9) In the distribution of the clonorchiasis cases by the range of EPmg value, 43.2% of the cases were in 0.1 0.9 and 34.6% in 1.0-4.9. As a whole by cumulative percent, 44.6% of them were under 0.9 as light infection and 86.1% of them under 9.9 up to moderate infection. By sex, no difference was seen in Epmg. 10) In the transition of the distribution by the range of Epmg, the cases were distributed up to the range 80.0-99.9 in 1967 and to 60.0-79.9 in 1983. By cumulative percent, in the range of 0.1-0.9 and less, light infection, 34.3% of them were distributed in 1967 and 44.6% in 1983 with about 10% increase. In the range of 5.0-9.9 and less, up to moderate infection, 83.2% in 1967 and 86.1% in 1983 of the cases were seen, respectively. 11) The practice of raw freshwater fish consumption among the inhabitants seems to have decreased in recent years. Those who admitted to raw freshwater fish consumption in the last two years among the infected inhabitants were 59.3%, although 86.8% of them professed to have experience with raw freshwater fish consumption. 31.7% of those who have had experience of the raw freshwater fish consumption denied any further consumption in recent years. From an interview of 543 school-children, 24.1% of them admitted to an experience of raw freshwater fish consumption. However, those who have practised in the past two years comprized 17.9%. Those who denied raw freshwater fish consumption in recent years among those who had such experience were 26.0% out of 131 interviewed. The rate of raw freshwater fish consumption in both inhabitants and schoolchildren were higher in the male than in the female. On the contrary, the rate of those who did not practise in recent years among those who had experience of raw freshwater fish consumption was higher in the female than in the male. 12) The major reason for the reduction of raw freshwater fish consumption among the local inhabitants was the risk of the fluke infection. However, it has become apparent that such change of taste has resulted from water pollution impact which has affected throughout the areas of the freshwater systems in this locality since last several years. 13) In animal survey, Clonorchis infection was seen in 14.8% of 88 dogs examined and 3.7% of 27 house rats examined. It was noted that populations of dogs and cats have increased in the villages surveyed. Although the prevalence rate was lower in the present survey than those of 1967, the significance of the animals as the reservoir host has not changed. 14) Prevalence rate of Clonorchis infection by cercariae in the first intermediate host, Parafossarulus manchouricus, was 0.6% out of 517 snails examined. The infection rate was lower in comparison with 2.3% out of 2,124 examined in 1967. Moreover, sharp decreases in number and distribution of the intermediate host snails in many watershed areas of the huge freshwater systems in this locality seemed to reduce transmission of Clonorchis in connection with the intermediate host stage of its life cycle. 15) Clonorchis infection in the second intermediate fish hosts was relatively low. The mean number of Clonorchis metacercaria per fish in Pseudorasbora parva was 517 in 1983, whereas it was 1943 in 1968 through 1969. Environmental water pollution has also caused the decreased fish population density in these areas, and this has also apparently affected to the practice of raw freshwater fish consumption among the local inhabitants. 16) In conclusion, endemicity of Clonorchis infection in Gimhae Gum and delta area of the Nagdong River has sharply decreased during the past 16 years. The major cause of the regressive transition of the infection was the water pollution of the land water systems of this locality. The pollution has upset the ecosystems comprizing of the intermediate hosts of Clonorchis in many areas, and also affected to a significant extent to the discontinuance of the local inhabitants for raw freshwater fish consumption.

  • PDF

Micrographic Comparison of Proglottids and Ova in Some Tapeworms(Family: Diphyllobothridae) from Man (인체기생 열두조충류의 형태비교 및 진단적 소견)

  • 류장근;양용상;강성구;백승한;임신영
    • Biomedical Science Letters
    • /
    • v.4 no.1
    • /
    • pp.65-72
    • /
    • 1998
  • Recently there have been frequent reports on human infection caused by the Diphyllobothridae in Korea. The adequate opportunities for Koreans to eat raw fish, the primary infection medium of cestodes and the human infection through drinking water by cyclops, the first intermediate host are believed to be main reasons for the infection. The first task of this study was to classify and diagnose the species by differentiating morphological characteristic between scolex and proglottids of cestodes. However, the initially available diagnosis was done with the patient's symptoms and the eggs obtained from his stool. It is important to differentiate the species by the eggs of Diphyllobothrium latum especially in that it can help get advance information for a more reliable analysis in the near future. The morphological and diagnostic results from proglottids and eggs of Diphyllobothrium latum, Diphyllobothrium latum parvum and Spirometra erinacei are as follows; In each kind of cestodes from the patient's stool, the shape and size of 50 eggs were measured. Eggs of Diphyllobothrium latum had an operculum and were ovoidal or ellipsoid to elliptical in shape. Eggs of Diphyllobothrium latum parvum were more ovoidal in shape and smaller in size than Diphyllobothrium latum. And eggs of Spirometra erinacei were asymmetrical in width and long and slender in shape. The average lengths and widths of Diphyllobothrium latum, Diphyllobothrium latum parvum and Spirometra erinacei were 61.4$\times$41.7 $\mu\textrm{m}$, 55.9$\times$41.4 $\mu\textrm{m}$ and 66.7$\times$36.4 $\mu\textrm{m}$, respectively. After the segments of each cestode were fixed, embedding and hematoxylin-eosin dyeing on a microtome-made specimen were done. The micrographs of the semicon's aceto-carmine dyed specimen showed that Diphyllobothrium latum and Diphyllobothrium latum parvum had a centrally-located genital gland and an opened uterine pore. The yolks were observed on both sides of proglottids and had a typical rosette pattern. Yet, Diphyllobothrium latum parvum was shown smaller than Diphyllobothrium latum in the micrograph. Proglottids of Spirometra erinacei displayed that the uterus was rolled spirally more than five to seven times, and connected successively to the seminal vesicle in the cirrus sac. Shown above, this study was performed to measure the size of eggs and analyze the morphological characteristics of proglottids and provided the measurements of three types of cestodes obtained by a light microscope.

  • PDF

Incidentally Detected Adenocarcinoma Prostate in Transurethral Resection of Prostate Specimens: a Hospital Based Study from India

  • Varghese, Jophy;Kuruvilla, Priya Mariam;Mehta, Nisarg;Rathore, Ranjeet Singh;Babu, Manas;Bansal, Devesh;Pillai, Biju;Sam, Mohan P;Krishnamorthy, H
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
    • /
    • v.17 no.4
    • /
    • pp.2255-2258
    • /
    • 2016
  • Background: Awareness about prostate cancer has increased in the community, and prostate cancer screening examinations, including prostate specific antigen (PSA) assays, are now widely available. Prior to the PSA era, up to 27% of prostate cancers were detected incidentally at the time of transurethral resection of prostate (TURP). After PSA testing became widely available, the incidence of incidentally detected carcinoma prostate in TURP specimens without prior diagnosis reduced to 5-13%. However, the incidence of incidentally detected carcinoma prostate has been reported to vary across the globe since various factors can influence the identification of this malignancy in TURP specimens. In this paper, we focus on rates of incidentally detected prostate cancer in TURP specimens in our hospital and correlate it with various parameters. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study of histopathological findings of biopsy specimens was conducted for patients undergoing TURP during a period of 5 years from April 2010. The inclusion criteria were patients diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (digital rectal examination (DRE) not showing any abnormally hard areas and normal age adjusted PSA values). Patients with elevated PSA, abnormal DRE, documented urinary tract infection and proved adenocarcinoma prostate (CaP) were excluded from the study. The total weight of prostatectomy specimen, occurrence of carcinoma prostate in the chips, percentage of total tissue resected showing malignancy and Gleason's scores were recorded. Results: A total of 597 patients belonging to the inclusion criteria were studied. The incidence of occult CaP in the study group was 5.2 % (31/597). Out of these, 8 belonged to T1a and 23 belonged to T1b stages. The age group 70 - 79 years had the maximum incidence of occult CaP. It was observed that the clinical grading of prostate did not have a bearing on the incidence of occult CaP whereas the weight of resected specimen correlated with the incidence of CaP. The incidence of occult CaP was greater with low volume prostates (<20 g). (P=0.15). Conclusions: The rate of incidentally detected adenocarcinoma prostate in patients undergoing TURP for clinically diagnosed BPH was found to be only 5.2 % in our study which is low when compared with similar studies done elsewhere. The age of the patient and weight of the resected specimen correlated with incidence of occult prostate cancer. The clinical grading of prostate by DRE however, demonstrated no correlation.

Fusion Analytical Sensitivity of Rapid Influenza Antigen Limit of Detection Tests for Human Influenza virus (인플루엔자 바이러스에 대한 신속 항원 검출 검사 검출한계의 융합적 분석)

  • Song, Chang-Sub;Sung, Hyun-Ho;Kim, Jung-Hyun;Kim, Dae-Eun;Park, Chang-Eun;Yoon, Joong-Soo
    • Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
    • /
    • v.9 no.3
    • /
    • pp.165-171
    • /
    • 2018
  • In this study, to analyze the detection of limit for sensitivity of the influenza rapid antigen test kit, the positive detection of limits were analyzed by serial dilution of influenza virus A and B type for five influenza rapid antigen test kits in Korea. As a result of analysis, visual measurement of type A were up to 1:8192 for the Wellsbio product and up to 1:4096 for the II product, up to 1:512 for the I and III products, and only 1:128 for the IV product, and type B were positive for up to 1:8192 for the Wellsbio product, up to 1: 4096 for the II product and up to 1:1024 for the I, III and IV products. For instrument readings with the same specimen, both A and B types were found to be positive for up to 1:8192 for the Wellsbio product, up to 1: 4096 for the II product, and up to 1:2048 for the I product. The sensitivity of the rapid antigen test for influenza differs greatly depending on the sampling area of the patient, infection period, specimen volume, etc. Therefore, it is necessary to observe exactly the collection timing and method of the specimen. And it is necessary further study to improve the sensitivity for influenza rapid antigen test.

Effects of infections with five sexually transmitted pathogens on sperm quality

  • Kim, Sung Jae;Paik, Doo-Jin;Lee, Joong Shik;Lee, Hyo Serk;Seo, Ju Tae;Jeong, Mi Seon;Lee, Jae-Ho;Park, Dong Wook;Han, Sangchul;Lee, Yoo Kyung;Lee, Ki Heon;Lee, In Ho;So, Kyeong A;Kim, Seon Ah;Kim, Juree;Kim, Tae Jin
    • Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
    • /
    • v.44 no.4
    • /
    • pp.207-213
    • /
    • 2017
  • Objective: This study investigated the prevalence of infections with human papillomavirus, Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis, and Mycoplasma genitalium in the semen of Korean infertile couples and their associations with sperm quality. Methods: Semen specimens were collected from 400 men who underwent a fertility evaluation. Infection with above five pathogens was assessed in each specimen. Sperm quality was compared in the pathogen-infected group and the non-infected group. Results: The infection rates of human papillomavirus, C. trachomatis, U. urealyticum, M. hominis, and M. genitalium in the study subjects were 1.57%, 0.79%, 16.80%, 4.46%, and 1.31%, respectively. The rate of morphological normality in the U. urealyticum-infected group was significantly lower than in those not infected with U. urealyticum. In a subgroup analysis of normozoospermic samples, the semen volume and the total sperm count in the pathogen-infected group were significantly lower than in the non-infected group. Conclusion: Our results suggest that infection with U. urealyticum alone and any of the five sexually transmitted infections are likely to affect sperm morphology and semen volume, respectively.