Local markers for prediction of women at higher risk of developing sequelae to Chlamydia trachomatis infection.
OBJECTIVE
Chlamydial infections are often associated with various fertility-related disorders. Serological prediction of these has limitations, as they do not differentiate between past and current infections. Thus, we looked for local markers that could predict more precisely women at higher risk of developing severe complications.


METHODS
A total of 320 Chlamydia trachomatis positive women with or without fertility disorders were tested for the prevalence of immunoglobulin A antibodies to synthetic peptides of chlamydial heat-shock protein 60 (cHSP60) and cHSP10 along with cervical interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.


RESULTS
Positive IFN-gamma level was the single best predictor for fertility disorder [odds ratio (OR) 15.4]. The predictive value of IFN-gamma could be significantly improved only by the addition of CRP test (OR 37.9).


CONCLUSIONS
Positive IFN-gamma levels in cervical washes along with elevated CRP levels could be used to predict women who are at higher risk of developing fertility disorders.
Agrawal
Tanvi
T
Institute of Pathology-ICMR, Safdarjung Hospital Campus, New Delhi, India.
Vats
Vikas
V
Salhan
Sudha
S
Mittal
Aruna
A
D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D018835:Chaperonin 10 / Q000276:immunology; D018834:Chaperonin 60 / Q000276:immunology; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000378:metabolism; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism*; D012307:Risk Factors; D002577:Uterine Cervical Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology
D000906:Antibodies; D015415:Biomarkers; D018835:Chaperonin 10; D018834:Chaperonin 60; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D002097:C-Reactive Protein