Lack of association between serum antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis and a history of recurrent pregnancy loss.
OBJECTIVE
To study the relation between recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and infection with Chlamydia trachomatis, and to compare the prevalence of antibodies to C. trachomatis in women with primary and secondary RPL.


METHODS
Prospective comparative study.


METHODS
University hospital and university student health center.


METHODS
Seventy patients with RPL were selected from women attending an RPL outpatient clinic; 40 normal parous women and 94 asymptomatic sexually active women served as controls.


METHODS
Blood samples were collected during the clinical examinations for RPL.


METHODS
Serum immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgA antibodies were detected by two independent methods, a recombinant ELISA specific to the genus Chlamydia and microimmunofluorescence testing specific to the species C. trachomatis.


RESULTS
There was no statistically significant difference in the frequencies of IgG or IgA between the women with RPL and the controls. The antibody frequencies were similar in the women with primary and secondary RPL.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of serum antibodies to C. trachomatis is not associated with RPL. Women with primary and secondary RPL do not differ with respect to the prevalence of antichlamydial antibodies. Thus, women with RPL do not benefit from screening for chlamydial IgG or IgA antibodies.
Paukku
M
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Haartman Institute, University Central Hospital, University of Helsinki, Finland.
Tulppala
M
M
Puolakkainen
M
M
Anttila
T
T
Paavonen
J
J
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000382:microbiology*; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012703:Serotyping
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G