title: Molecular identification of endocervical Chlamydia trachomatis infection among gestations at risk for preterm birth in Ecuador.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) endocervical infection among gestations at risk for preterm birth by means of DNA amplification.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred fifty eight (n = 158) gestations of Guayaquil (63.3%) and Quito (36.7%) Ecuador, at risk for preterm birth: threatened preterm labor (TPL, 60.8%) and preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM, 39.2%) were recruited. CT infection was presented in 8.2% of cases (TPL: 10.4% and PPROM: 4.8%). No significant difference was observed in this frequency in regard to city or diagnosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the causative role of CT infection for these antenatal complications cannot be completely ruled out, its presence may justify an antenatal routine screening program in order to provide appropriate therapy.
authors.affiliation: Enrique C. Sotomayor Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Guayaquil, Ecuador.
authors.forename: Marcela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Medina
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Moya
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hidalgo
authors.forename: Andres
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Calle
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Terán
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chedraui
mesh_terms: D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D004484:Ecuador; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000382:microbiology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D002577:Uterine Cervical Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D004247:DNA