Why does my husband have E. coli infection in semen?

Q: My husband is 39 years old. We have been married for 3 years. He is on Pyglor 30, one in the morning, Glycomet 500 after lunch and dinner. His last semen report is as follows: Pus Cells: 10-15; RBC: 2-3; Volume: 2; Viscosity: Normal; Colour: White; Reaction (ph): Alkaline; Liquefication time: 30 mins; Total count: 38 million; Normal Spermatozoa: 75%; Abnormal: 25%; Total Motile: 80%; Actively Motile: 70%; Sluggishly motile: 10%; Non-Motile: 20%; Semen culture showed E. coli 100 000. He had pus cells, which were treated and now for the past 3 years he has E. coli infection. I had E. coli urine infection, till we abstained. Then we both became fine. As such both of us do not have any symptoms of E. coli infection. We have been trying for a child since our marriage. I got pregnant last year, but had a missed abortion. How to get rid of E. coli forever? How will the pus cells affect my getting infected again? What are our chances of having a child? He was put on Nutrifurantoin 100 mg thrice a day and his latest semen report is as follows: Pus Cells: 20-25; Volume: 1.5; Viscosity: Normal; Colour: White; Reaction (ph): Alkaline; Liquefication time: 30 mins; Total count: 46 million; Normal Spermatozoa: 75%; Abnormal: 25%; Total Motile: 80%; Actively Motile: 70%; Sluggishly motile: 10%; Non-Motile: 20%; Semen Culture: Sterile, but pus cells increased to 20-25.

A:Your husband's semen shows presence of pus cells but adequate sperm count. WHO criteria lays down a count of 20 million good sperms as sufficient to have normal pregnancy. A couple is infertile only if pregnancy doesn't occur after two years of unprotected consummation of marriage. E. coli is the commonest organism for urinary infection and not to get scared of. The commonest cause of E. coli infection in young females is sexual activity and I am not surprised that you stopped having infections while you abstained. Commonest cause of pus cells in semen is chronic prostatitis or seminal vesiculitis, a common affliction seen in upto 20% of young population without much ill effects. You should also not expect any changes in semen till at least 3 months after starting any treatment, as sperm cycle is approx 100 days, meaning sperm produced today will be visible in the semen only after approx 3 months. You both should approach a fertility expert for proper advice. All problems you have stated regarding your husband may, in fact, not be related to your inability to conceive.