Microbiological profile of cervix of females attending in-vitro fertilization clinic of a tertiary care hospital, North India

Abstract

Objectives

Bacterial infections of the female reproductive tract have long been recognized as having an association with infertility. Microorganisms in the female genital tract might themselves or by producing some extracellular metabolites inhibit sperm motility leading to infertility. So, microbiological screening of female genital tract is needed before in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. The aim of the present study was to look for the microbiological profile of cervical samples of females attending IVF clinic for infertility.

Materials and methods

The study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, Bacteriology Division, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi. Cervical swabs from the females attending the IVF clinics for infertility from January 2015 to June 2015 were screened for the bacterial isolates. The isolates were identified by standard microbiological procedures.

Results

Total 296 samples were analyzed. Majority was from females belonging to 31–40 years age group (56.4%) followed by 21–30 years (37.1%). Most of the samples (54.3%) were sterile, while normal vaginal flora and environmental contaminants were obtained from 34.7% of the samples. Various isolates obtained were, Micrococcus spp. (12.5%), diphtheroids (9%), Non enterococcal group D streptococcus (6.7%), Staphylococcus aureus (0.3%), Coagulase negative staphylococcus (2%), Enterococcus spp. (1%), Bacillus spp. (3%), Escherichia coli (5.7%), Klebsiella spp. (2%), Acinetobacter spp. (1.3%) and Candida spp. (2.3%).

Conclusion

Gram negative organisms in the female reproductive tract might be a cause of female infertility. There is still a need for practising proper procedure while collecting endocervical samples from females attending infertility clinic.