Silvia Giono-Cerezo, Laboratorio de Bacteriología Médica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional México, Ciudad de México, México
Yolanda López-Vidal, Programa de Inmunología Molecular Microbiana, Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
María D. Alcántar-Curiel, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
Infertility is a public health issue affecting millions of women of reproductive age worldwide. Bacterial infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma hominis, and Ureaplasma urealyticum are among the most prevalent. They are associated with pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic endometritis, fallopian tube obstruction, impaired endometrial receptivity and implantation, and increased risk of ectopic pregnancy and pregnancy loss. Timely diagnosis using nucleic acid amplification testing represents the current standard, while advanced techniques, such as sequencing, enable the precise identification of pathogens and dysbiosis. The treatment of infections caused by these microorganisms involved the use of antibiotics, guided by the specific antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of each bacterium. Alternatives such as antioxidants, probiotics, or vaginal microbiota transplantation have been proposed for persistent infections. The clinical approach is interdisciplinary, incorporating imaging studies and inflammatory biomarkers. Understanding the pathogens and their interactions within the microbiome, along with the integration of reproductive medicine and clinical microbiology, provides valuable insights for managing and preserving female fertility.
Keywords: Female infertility. Bacterial infections. Chlamydia trachomatis. Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Mycoplasma.