Kartagener's Syndrome with Motile Spermatozoa

Abstract

Immotile cilia syndrome is an inherited disorder characterized by recurrent sinopulmonary infections, reduced fertility in women, and sterility due to immobile spermatozoa in men.1 , 2 When situs inversus is encountered — in about half the cases — the disorder is referred to as Kartagener's syndrome.The clinical effects of this syndrome are caused by the inability of ciliated structures to beat effectively.3 , 4 In the respiratory tract this inability presumably causes impaired clearance of mucus and inhaled particulates and results in the chronic infections of the sinuses and bronchial tree that are so characteristic of the disease. The genetic defect in ciliary . . .