Anti-Sperm Antibodies: Risk Factors of Positive Serology among Infertile Men Patients in Kisangani-Democratic Republic of Congo

Introduction: Antisperm antibodies (ASA) prevalence is high in Kisangani. ASA are one of the male factors of infertility that can reduce spermatozoa motility and cervical penetration or prevent acrosomal reaction and even alter embryo development. This study aims to determine the risk factors of ASA positivity among infertile men in Kisangani. Patient and Method: We conducted a case-control study during a period of 2 years in Kisangani on 111 men who consulted for conception and tested for ASA by ELISA. We did a simple pairing that concerned only the type of infertility. For a better balance between the number of cases and controls per stratum to provide better accuracy in the adjusted OR estimate, we performed a 1:1 match. Results: This study showed that businessmen [ORa = 5.0000(1.2452 - 20.0767)] and jobless [ORa = 5.8125(1.1477 - 29.4367)] were at risk of being positive for ASA. Violent blow to testicles [ORa = 6.7391(1.3455 - 33.7545)], cure of hernia [ORa = 4.3478(1.0722 - 17.6299)], Chlamydia infection [ORa = 4.7125(1.3405 - 16.5665)], leucospermia [ORa = 4.1429(1.0406 - 19.7155)] and presence of Staphylococcus aureus [ORa = 3.4444(0.6410 - 18.5082)] were associated to positive ASA. Conclusion: This study shows that factors that may lead to risky sexual behavior and physical or infectious trauma are important risk factors for ASA positivity. It is therefore necessary to search for them systematically during male infertility in order to guide the search for ASA.

Intermittent Preventive Treatment in Pregnancy with Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine Does Not Have Effect on Maternal Hemoglobin at Delivery and Birth Weight in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo

Background: The consequences of malaria during pregnancy are different regarding local conditions of malaria transmission. In stable malaria areas, the main complications are maternal anaemia and fetal growth restriction. This study aims to determine if pregnancy-associated malaria is associated with the risk of the above-mentioned complications and to determine if IPTp-sp reduces them in Kisangani. Methods: It is a cross-sectional analytical study conducted in parturients, in 6 medical facilities of Kisangani, from January 1st to September 30th, 2017. At delivery we measured their hemoglobin, we performed the thick blood smear of their peripheral blood and placental apposition;and we weighed their newborns at birth. Results: Risk of anaemia at delivery increased with malaria access during pregnancy (p = 0.0056;OR: 1.4221, 95% CI: 1.0851 - 1.8638) and peripheral parasitaemia at delivery (p = 0.0000;OR: 6.3855, 95% CI: 4.5552 - 8.9512). LBW increased with peripheral parasitaemia at delivery (p = 0.0000;OR: 3.5299, 95% CI: 2.4424 - 5.1015) and placental parasitaemia (p = 0.0000;OR: 18.3247, 95% CI: 12.5141 - 26.8332). IPTp-sp did not have effect on maternal hemoglobin at delivery (p = 0.1546;OR: 0.7553, IC à 95%: 0.4414 - 1.2923) and the birth weight (p = 0.1225;OR: 0.6638, IC à 95%: 0.3375 - 1.3056). Conclusion: In Kisangani, pregnancy-associated malaria is associated with maternal anaemia at delivery and LBW. IPTp-sp does not reduce the risk of these complications. Therefore, studies evaluating IPTp alternatives are required in malaria endemic areas.