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Meštrović T, Neuberg M, Sviben M, Ribić R, Drenjančević D, Škrlec I, Talapko J, Kozina G, Profozić Z. Corynebacterium glucuronolyticum in men with and without urethritis syndrome: An underrecognized pathogen or a bona fide commensal? Infect Dis Now 2022; 52:441-446. [PMID: 36030041 DOI: 10.1016/j.idnow.2022.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND By analysing the largest collection of Corynebacterium glucuronolyticum (C. glucuronolyticum) isolates from a single centre thus far, we aimed to appraise a potential causal link between an infrequently isolated species and the urethritis syndrome in men. METHODS A total of 1055 Caucasian male individuals with or without urethritis syndrome were included in this single-centre case-control study. Group-wise comparisons were pursued by analysing sociodemographic, behavioural and microbiological specificities between the two groups. C. glucuronolyticum isolates from urethral specimens were identified using the analytical profile index biotyping system (API Coryne) and additionally confirmed by MALDI-TOF mass-spectrometry, with subsequent determination of their antimicrobial sensitivity profiles. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05 (two-tailed). RESULTS C. glucuronolyticum was isolated in 5.08% of study participants with urethritis syndrome and 3.60% of those without it (p = 0.303). In the urethritis group, the species was more frequently found as a sole isolate (p = 0.041) and after prior infection with Chlamydia trachomatis (p = 0.025). The most frequent presentation of urethritis included a clear discharge in small or moderate amounts, without any pathognomonic findings. The resistance rates were 62.22% for clindamycin, 42.22% for tetracycline and 26.67% for ciprofloxacin. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides major insights on the relevance of urethral C. glucuronolyticum in non-gonococcal urethritis, with significant implications for further aetiological research and management approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Meštrović
- Department of Health Metrics Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA; University Centre Varaždin, University North, Varaždin, Croatia; Clinical Microbiology and Parasitology Unit, Dr. Zora Profozić Polyclinic, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - M Neuberg
- University Centre Varaždin, University North, Varaždin, Croatia
| | - M Sviben
- Microbiology Service, Croatian National Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia; Medical Microbiology Department, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - R Ribić
- University Centre Varaždin, University North, Varaždin, Croatia
| | - D Drenjančević
- Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; University Hospital Centre Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - I Škrlec
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - J Talapko
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - G Kozina
- University Centre Varaždin, University North, Varaždin, Croatia
| | - Z Profozić
- Clinical Microbiology and Parasitology Unit, Dr. Zora Profozić Polyclinic, Zagreb, Croatia
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Meštrović T, Bedenić B, Wilson J, Ljubin-Sternak S, Sviben M, Neuberg M, Ribić R, Kozina G, Profozić Z. The impact of Corynebacterium glucuronolyticum on semen parameters: a prospective pre-post-treatment study. Andrology 2017; 6:223-229. [PMID: 29216684 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Revised: 10/22/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Corynebacterium glucuronolyticum (C. glucuronolyticum) is a rare isolate that is only recently being acknowledged as a potential urogenital pathogen. The bibliographical references on this bacterial species are scarce, and its influence on all semen parameters was hitherto unknown - therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate its effects on a range of sperm quality parameters. A prospective approach to compare semen parameters before and after treatment was used in this study. C. glucuronolyticum in semen specimens was identified using analytical profile index biotyping system (API Coryne) and additionally confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass-spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), with the determination of antimicrobial susceptibility by Kirby-Bauer method. Semen analysis was performed according to the criteria from the World Health Organization (with the use of Tygerberg method of sperm morphology categorization). Very strict inclusion criteria for participants also included detailed medical history and urological evaluation. From a total of 2169 screened semen specimens, the inclusion rate for participants with C. glucuronolyticum that satisfied all the criteria was 1.01%. Antibiogram-guided treatment of the infection with ensuing microbiological clearance has shown that the resolution of the infection correlates with statistically significant improvement in the vitality of spermatozoa, but also with a lower number of neck and mid-piece defects. Parameters such as sperm count, motility and normal morphology were not affected. In addition, susceptibility testing revealed a trend towards ciprofloxacin resistance, which is something that should be considered when selecting an optimal treatment approach. Albeit it is rarely encountered as a monoisolate in significant quantities, C. glucuronolyticum may negatively influence certain sperm parameters; therefore, it has to be taken into account in the microbiological analysis of urogenital samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Meštrović
- Clinical Microbiology and Parasitology Unit, Polyclinic 'Dr. Zora Profozić', Zagreb, Croatia.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University Centre Varaždin, University North, Varaždin, Croatia
| | - B Bedenić
- Medical Microbiology Department, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.,Department of Clinical and Molecular Microbiology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - J Wilson
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - S Ljubin-Sternak
- Medical Microbiology Department, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.,Clinical Microbiology Department, Teaching Institute of Public Health 'Dr Andrija Štampar', Zagreb, Croatia
| | - M Sviben
- Medical Microbiology Department, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.,Microbiology Service, Croatian National Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - M Neuberg
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University Centre Varaždin, University North, Varaždin, Croatia
| | - R Ribić
- Research and Development Sector, TESLA d.o.o., Ivanec, Croatia
| | - G Kozina
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University Centre Varaždin, University North, Varaždin, Croatia
| | - Z Profozić
- Clinical Microbiology and Parasitology Unit, Polyclinic 'Dr. Zora Profozić', Zagreb, Croatia
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