Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection as a Risk Factor of Infertility in Women

Abstract

Background: C. trachomatis is known to cause damage to the female reproductive tract, primarily due to adhesions or obstructions of the fallopian tubes secondary to the inflammatory response. Tubal Factor of Infertility (TFI) is the main cause of infertility in 10-30% of cases in developed countries and C. trachomatis is the most common causative agent to TFI in the developed world. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible role of the chlamydial serology as a screening test for tubal infertility, by the detection of the anti-chlamydial IgG antibodies by using E.L.I.S.A. and study the benefit of using non-invasive methods to diagnose chlamydial infection. Materials and Methods: This prospective randomized clinical study was conducted on a (50) women complaining of Infertility due to Tubal Factor. The patient was randomly classified into two groups: (50)Group I: complaining primary or secondary infertility. Group II: including (25) patients pregnant and came for Antenatal care Results: Prevalence of different types of tubal factor in the study population was 12% in Distal block (DB), 10% Distal block plus peritubal adhesions (DB + PTA), 40% Hydrosalpinx (HS), 8% Hydrosalpinx plus peritubal adhesions (HS + PTA), 26% Proximal block (PB), 4% Peritubal adhesions (PTA). serum antichlamydial IgG level was significantly higher among group I (8.62 ±1.4) than group II (2.11±0.82). Also, 46% of group I had serum antichlamydial IgG positive vs. (12%) in group II with significant difference. Comparing positive C. trachomatis IgG with type of infertility, a total of 13 (57.7%) of those with primary infertility and 10 (42.3%) of those with secondary infertility tested positive. The difference was of no statistical significance (P=0.725). Conclusion: We can conclude that, Chlamydia trachomatis is a major factor in female infertility especially for tubal factor of infertility, serum Chlamydia trachomatis IgG assay could be used a predictive factor for tubal factor infertility.