Presence of the major outer-membrane protein of Chlamydia trachomatis in patients with chronic salpingitis and salpingitis isthmica nodosa with tubal occlusion.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the presence of the major outer-membrane protein of Chlamydia trachomatis in fallopian tube tissue specimens of infertile women with chronic salpingitis and/or salpingitis isthmica nodosa with tubal occlusion.


METHODS
Prospective controlled study.


METHODS
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bochum, Herne, Germany.


METHODS
Fifty-six consecutive infertile women with histologically documented chronic salpingitis and/or salpingitis isthmica nodosa and bilateral tubal occlusions were evaluated. They were compared with 28 fertile women.


METHODS
Fallopian tube tissue specimens were taken during reconstructive infertility surgery, including cesarean section and tubal ligation.


METHODS
Detection of the major outer-membrane protein of C. trachomatis in fallopian tube tissue specimens by a direct fluorescent antibody test.


RESULTS
The major outer-membrane protein of C. trachomatis was found in fallopian tube tissue specimens in 11 of 56 infertile patients (20%) with chronic salpingitis and/or salpingitis isthmica nodosa. The median titer of IgG serum antibodies to Chlamydia was significantly higher in women with the major outer-membrane protein of C. trachomatis than in patients without this antigen. In comparison, the major outer-membrane protein of C. trachomatis was not found in any of the fallopian tube tissue specimens of the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of the major outer-membrane protein of C. trachomatis is associated with chronic salpingitis and/or salpingitis isthmica nodosa with tubal occlusion.
Dieterle
S
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bochum, Herne, Germany. s.dieterle@t-online.de
Rummel
C
C
Bader
L W
LW
Petersen
H
H
Fenner
T
T
D000328:Adult; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005184:Fallopian Tube Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000382:microbiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012488:Salpingitis / Q000382:microbiology*
D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins